Small World

The greatest thing that happened to me recently was during my morning crosswalk duty on Friday. I know, who likes being on drop-off duty? First of all, a chance to be outside is always welcome. I used to go to recess with my students every day, and I've been missing the fresh air. But that wasn't the reason that day.

While I was waving the cars through and helping the kids and parents cross to the building, a minivan pulled up beside me. The driver yelled out, "What are YOU doing here?" I knew that one of my students from my previous school lived in the district, and I had found out his sister was in my school. However, I hadn't managed to figure out if they came to open house earlier this week and assumed I wouldn't see them for a while. But now that I had an added morning duty, I was there to see them. They invited me to their son's football game this weekend, and I think his head is going to explode when he sees me. He's one of those kids I just love spending time with, and I'm excited to see him and to be a part of his community.

No matter where I go, I am never far away from my old students and their families. I had a good friend who worked for a summer with a 3rd grade student I had  taught when he was in preschool. I ran into that same student when observing a social skills group as part of an interview for a part time job. I have had students in my class at my outplacement school who came from the same public school I previously taught in. While there are some students I wanted to cross paths with again and haven't (yet)...ultimately, I feel like I live in a small world. The special education community in my area is full of surprises. Two former coworkers are in various positions in my current school building. One I went to college with and worked with during an internship about 7 years ago. The other was from my first job out of college, which I left almost 4 years ago.

It makes the goodbyes I've had to say easier. I'm getting better at it. While I still connect with my students, and do so quickly, I find it easier to let go knowing that our paths may cross again. I wouldn't be able to keep them at too much of a distance, and I wouldn't be a big help to them if I tried. My kids with emotional, behavioral, and attachment issues need to know that I do genuinely care for them. You can't fake that. And after only 4 weeks with my little guys, I really do care about each one of them. But I know that when I do move on, or when they do, we'll find each other again sometime. At some little moment. And I, as usual, will be amazed by how much they've learned and how far they've come. And as always, I will be proud as hell of the people they're becoming.