I told my students that it was my goal to make it to at least one of each of their sporting events. Friday I went to a football game. This week's sport of choice was high school volleyball. Today in class my girls were asking me when I'd be able to make it. Today didn't look like a possibility since I had my first cross country meet. However, they told me they'd throw me a ball if I came... and they'd save one for me in case I got there late. I had no idea what they were talking about- until I made it to their game and the line up was called. As each girl's name was announced, she threw a small plastic volleyball (which all the they had all signed) to someone in the crowd. One of my students tossed me her ball and I finally understood. That moment definitely made my day- possibly even my week.
Now, I'm also very proud of my junior high athletes, please don't misunderstand me. They had a great first meet, to be sure. But there's simply something about receiving acknowledgement like that that just lets me know, at least on some very small level, 'hey, you're OK'.
Speaking of the cross country meet, I ran into my old high school students and athletes from last year. They're just as great and hilarious as I remember. "Hey, it's Miss Hegelein. That's ironic." "Hey, Miss Hegelein, did you miss me? ...[meh, well...] What? I haven't seen you in a year and that's how you treat me?!" "Traitor! M-G? Why aren't you back here?" Haha! As my first kids, they have a special place in my heart. Not to be outdone, my current students are definitely growing on me. :)
We survived our first meet with at 28:1 athlete to coach ratio. :D
Gotta love junior high cross country. Go Argylls!
No comments:
Post a Comment