As this year comes to a close, there are many things that I look back and begin to reflect on. Without a doubt, over 90% of these life events have something to do with the kids I have taught this year and the ridiculous, funny, crazy, frustrating, and amazing things that they do each day. I spend more time with my kids than I do anyone else. My classroom has been through some ups and downs and I have had many conversations with myself where I try and reason through why I am a teacher--without a doubt the reason is always because my kids inspire me each day to keep teaching and being in a classroom where students grow and struggle is what makes me happy. I have watched students overcome vast academic, economic, social, and personal barriers this year. My students are so brilliant and their talents are endless. I could go on and on about everything that has happened this year, but I will save that for the day that this semester has truly come to a close and I can sit down and accurately reflect on what TFA refers to as "transformational change."
In the meantime, I write this post to commend my students for one of the many amazing things that they have accomplished this year. Our school has a wonderful art program headed by a teacher who is relentlessly pushing her kids to dream big and use their artistic abilities to do great things. Recently the art program participated in the Vans Custom Culture Contest where students are given four pairs of white shoes to design and submit. Out of 2,000 participating schools, Raymondville High School was selected as one of the 50 semi-finalist. For the next few days, people cast their votes for which high schools will be selected to be in the top 5--the winners chosen will be going to NY. You can vote for the kids shoes here:
