When I started working at my new job about a month ago, my coworkers warned me about one particular boy in a fourth grade class who has some serious attention and behavioral issues. My coworkers said it was ADHD but I think it might be something else in addition to that, too. They told me to leave him alone because if he gets angry he throws chairs and attacks people. Well. I’m not sure why this kid isn’t in a special school, but there’s nothing I can do about it. He never did his work or played any games and we just let him be. I certainly didn’t want to get any chairs thrown at my face.

Today I feel like I really rocked my fourth grade classes. They were very attentive and we played two games that they were crazy about. This kid kept getting up in the middle of my class and walking around but I couldn’t do anything about it. He wasn’t paying attention but at least he wasn’t making noise. The other kids ignored him- I’m sure they’re used to his behavior by now. 

Anyway I nearly fell on the floor when I was walking around the room, making sure all the kids had filled out their Bingo boards, and he grabbed my arm and said “NOW START.” He’d already filled out his Bingo board. My coworkers told me he never does anything in class. I was beyond surprised. He played the game seriously and got Bingo and won a  shiny star sticker. He was beaming and so proud of himself. Kid probably never won anything in school his entire life. I was like, yeah, I’m an awesome teacher! This is what teaching is all about. Changing lives. Inspiring children’s future dreams with stickers and Bingo.

As we left the classroom, my co-teacher informed me that prior to the start of our class he had attacked two of his classmates and sent them both to the school nurse. He had scratched one on the face and punched one in the mouth and both were bleeding profusely.

Small victories.