School Visit! (9/11)

I don't know why I felt nervous. I was returning to a place that I love. The teachers and students of LES have come to mean so much to me. I guess I was worried that everybody would have forgotten me. But I certainly didn't feel forgotten. After passing through the office, I crashed some Monday Morning meetings. I was so happy to see these teachers. It was all too brief, though. The bell rang and students started arriving.

I was so excited about meeting the students that will be mine in January. I switched over into teacher mode and got to work. Meeting kids for the first time is so much fun for me. I love to relate and probe and hypothesize about what motivates them. I truly enjoy watching them open up and show their colors. I feel a certain success in achieving this kind of relationship with children. It inspires and challenges me. I try to be everything I find they need and want me to be then.

Herb, who is filling my place until I return, let me share with the class. I had brought a load of things to share. We compared the United States and Chilean flags. We looked at pictures. I showed the rocks. Dylan, who sent his Flat Stanley to Deb and last year, brought the pictures we mailed. And then I gave them all some treats and Chilean money. They were pretty excited. Then I circulated around the room while they worked on Math problems. It's funny how, after such a short time, I felt so connected to the group. I am really quite sentimental about some things.

Now. I have to wait until January to see them again. (Sigh.)