Gratitude

Tonight I cracked open my Christmas present...even though it's only December 10th.  I'm pretty proud of myself for making it this long.  You see, my present came over a week ago.  Two cases of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet (2008 & 2009).  I just couldn't wait!

I have been batting around the idea of becoming a 'blogger' for a while, but up until now, have not had the guts to jump in.  So why the change of heart?  Maybe it's because I just watched Julie and Julia for the second time. Or, maybe the pain killers I'm taking for my sinus infection are having more of an affect on me than I realize.  No.  I think it's the wine...what an inspiration!

Whatever the reason...I'm ready to take the plunge.  Hopefully someone will deem my musings worthy of a few moments of their time, but if not, it will give me something to do as a sip my nightly glass of Cabernet!

This my 8th year of teaching. I have taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grade.  Sixth was my favorite...at least as a classroom teacher.  Two years ago, I decided that I should become a special education teacher.  Overzealous.  Overly ambitious.  Or maybe just plan silly!  But I was (am) on a mission.  My daughter is a special education student and I was extremely frustrated by the ineptness of the system.  So, in all my naivete, I decided I would fix it.  Yep, I thought I could just march in and make right all the ills that plague special education.  Two years (and untold bottles of wine) later, the system is still the system.  I would like to believe, however, that I have righted the ship just a bit.

So, back to the blog.  Why now?  Why me?  I guess I think I have something to offer.  Today, something incredible happened to me.  This week in our building we had peer observations.  Teachers in the building could choose another teacher to observe.  Someone chose me.  He came to watch me in a Reading Recovery lesson.  He sat across the table from me and took notes.  After the lesson, he got up, said thanks, and left.  That was that.  Or so I thought.  Today, he came to my office and knelt down by my chair.  What he said next left me stunned and teary-eyed.

He told me that before that day, he had no idea what I did.  He said, in fact, he was amazed by what I did and he thought I was incredible and inspiring.  But that's not the best part.  He said that he was a struggling reader...that he didn't begin to read until 3rd grade.  The stunning and teary-eyed part...he told me that if he had had someone like me in his life 'back then', it would have made all the difference in the world.  Isn't that what all teachers want?  To make a difference...

So, Mr. D, thank you for making my day...my year!  I wish I could have been there for you, and I'm so grateful that you are here for the kids in our school.

With gratitude,

Cab Lover

~2008 Robert Mondavi Private Reserve Cabernet (BOMB!)