Today I am drained. But for a most incredible reason! My student is “getting it” !!!!! I have pushed and pulled and fought and encouraged and even walked out two times. But today . . . .today brought praise from the professor for multiple things; today there was a twinkle in the eyes for the very first time since I started this endeavor months ago; today there was admiration from fellow classmates; today there were actually tears in my eyes for a battle hard fought and a victory gained!
This endeavor has been one of the most challenging I have taken on as an educator. I thought I had an idea of what I was getting myself into when I signed up for this adventure and truth be told, I had not even a clue! I did not know how very tedious it would be to write a one page paper. I did not realize that reading a single paragraph of a fifty page assignment in the textbook would be a half hour ordeal. I just didn’t know.
I have learned the difference between when to empathize and when to execute tough love to its fullest; when to let go and when to hold on tight and push right through that cement wall in front of me; and when to praise a mediocre job that is the result of honest effort and when to call the bluff of a pathetic “masterpiece” that was thrown together in minutes.
I am honestly not sure which one of us has gained more from this venture of ours. Is it she who has gained a very noticeable bump in self worth? Or is it me who has witnessed the blooming of a very delicate flower in this tumultuous season of storms? Either way, it is a success! A celebration both of us deserve. A time to be heartily grateful. And I am very GRATEFULLY YOURS!
Congratulations. This is the best example I can think of about that old saying “it’s better to give than to receive”. Both are rewarding.