savor

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I have not shepherded my ‘own’ classroom of children for about fifteen years now. I made the decision to leave my middle school team and work with teachers and students who were in their own little community of learners, but not mine. On some days, I am filled with envy whenever, I see a teacher with their flock hovering close, saying goodbye to their classroom teachers, on a Friday afternoon.

After school, I supervise a group of students who are waiting for their day care busses. Not one of these students are in any of my small groups. Many of them have a great deal of difficulty even understanding that I am a teacher in our building. Sometimes I feel lonely as I wait with them. Slowly, I am trying to build relationships… one student at a time as I ask them about their school day and see some of their books and treasures. But many days it feels like I am herding cats. They are tired and a wee bit cranky, especially the youngest. And when they are tired and cranky…you guessed it, so am I.

This last week as I turn the corner, I see a mom exiting our building with her children. They are smiling…laughing. It is one of my second graders and I say, “Bye, Charlie, have a great weekend.” His mom stops and looks at me and says,

“Mrs. Hatcher, you are magical.”

I’m speechless for a moment. I breathe in and say, “Thank you so much.”

This last Friday, a moment to savor.