But What's the Surprise Ms. Gross????

If You Want It, You Have to Find It

Dear Readers,

We just ended our 2nd quarter, 1st semester and half of the 2016-2017 school year. My 7th graders have been working hard! They reached their goal of reading at least 96 books by January 20th. I am proud to say they passed their goal!

As a celebration, I told them we would have a treat on Friday. I bought mini-cupcakes and hid them behind my desk area. 

As soon as one student walked in, he wanted to know what the surprise was. I made them wait until we had about 10 minutes left in the period. The twist was, they had to find it.

I called a couple of them individually to go look, but nobody was anywhere NEAR the cupcakes. Then I just let them go at it. As I watched them, I just felt happy.

I was happy to be there in that moment in time.

I was happy to be their teacher and get to touch their lives every day.

I was happy to see them running around excited about a surprise.

I was happy that they all had smiles on their faces.

I was happy they were working together to find the surprise.

I was happy when a student triumphantly produced the surprise from the hiding spot.

When I think of LaVonna Roth and her S.H.I.N.E. message, the "I" for Inspire always brings my students to mind. I am inspired by them every day.

I am inspired to teach them to the best of my ability.

I am inspired by what they teach me. 

I am inspired by what they will bring to the future.

I am inspired by their thoughtfulness.

My "life word" is believe. I try to model this every day for my students.

I believe they can do anything they set their minds to.

I believe they will become empathetic, global citizens.

I believe that things happen for a reason, even if we do not understand at first.

I believe that they look to me as a role model and take cues from me as their teacher.

I believe in each and every one of them.

I love my job. I hope that you experience as much joy being an educator as I do.

Warmly,

Teresa