I Never Give Up!

Last week class began with the same two eager students, and then 4 joined half way through. One of the kids, Ron, had asked the week before about what the snack was. He remember to come today! That did add logistical challenges, but we just rolled with it. The other teacher had an emergency trip with his dog to the vet, so it was teaching solo time for me.

Class fell three days before Valentine's Day. The art was a banner on which they could write 'Happy Valentine's Day'. The kids traced hearts for each person in their home. We were going to put wads of tissue paper inside each heart, streamers on the bottom, and string on the back to hand on a door nob. Let's just say that I estimated 30 minutes, but we needed 60. Lordy.

(does anyone know how to rotate a photo in the blog?)

One child who is about 10 seemed like a 16 year old, trying to be tough, cool, hard core. (I'll call him Rocky.) He was one of the ones who showed up half way through class and resisted, misbehaved and provided a ripe distraction for the others for what seemed like 90 minutes... I wasn't frazzled, but my patience was stretched.

On my way home I reverted to the thought that is comforting at times, "Being there and teaching is enough, I can feel good about that." But my standards and expectations are so much higher. Having rules that are followed, consequences if they are not, cooperation, kindness, learning, fun and more. It's difficult to stay optimistic on days like today. I wonder if it might not be worth it. I walk away not feeling well suited for the task - focusing on others who are younger and more energetic. I question my abilities, not my motives, but my abilities.

I decided to keep going - to show up next week. There are only a handful of teachers, and thousands of kids who could use an after school or weekend class to focus on kindness, sincerity, truthfulness and to hear inspiring stories about the Central Figures of the Faith.

Our cheer, which was instituted for the kids, is "I have the strength of 10,000 Bengal Tigers. And I never give up!" Well, last week, I needed the chear for me.

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What was the lesson today? Love, Courtesy; we didn't get far, so the plan was to use this lesson the following week.

Virtue: Courtesy