And in the end...

Today was A's last day. I didn't find out until 2:00 when his mom called to let us know she'd be picking him up and that he'd be enrolling in his new school on Monday. I know being with his mom is the best thing for him right now. Still, I feel a real sense of loss. It makes me sad to think of him starting all over in a new place with a new teacher and a new group of kids. But he seemed excited, and like I told him, all that really matters is that he learns and that he's happy.

We had started his behavior contract over once he returned--he needed to meet his goals for 5 days in a row to earn his shades. Today, once again, was his fourth day. So what can I say...I fudged it. We went upstairs after school, cleaned out his desk, and I presented him with his prize: a pair of rainbow shutter shades, which he proudly wore out the door.

The interesting thing about this whole experience is the realization that I could probably feel just as close and connected to any given student in my class, were I afforded the opportunity to get to know them and invest in their progress the way I did with A. I wish we had the capacity, as teachers, to invest so deeply in more of our students. They deserve it. So, onward and upward...