Good choice

Today, affirmed the fact that I want to be a teacher.

While at Bennigans today a little boy that I had in my class when I student taught came in with his family. He was sooo excited to see me. The look on his face was priceless. Oh how I missed this little guy and his smile and "Hi Mrs. Koopman!" What an adorable child.

His first question: "Are you going to come back and teach us?"

How sad to tell him no! This little guy had his troubles in school and an interesting family background, but to know that I connected with him in a way where he wanted me back just melted my heart!

After talking to his mother for a while, who also remembered me, I found out that he became a little sad when he got back to school from Christmas break and I wasn't there. He came home many times saying he wished I was back and he wanted to see me again. He continued to talk about me the whole rest of the year and this summer.

This is what teaching is all about. Making an impact on a childs life in anyway possible. I somehow did this with this kid. I'm glad I was the one that could great him with a hug, smile, and the security that he needed. Teaching is about learning, but it is also about making a child's life the best it can be.

Now that they know I work there, they said they were going to come in more just so he could see me. :)

He was almost out the door to leave when he turned around, came to me, and gave me a big hug. This made my day.

I'm happy to be starting school again Tuesday. Time to make another child's life happy and safe, even if it is only when I am with him.