What a Day!

"Teachers, please come to the center of the gym."

During our morning assembly today, our principal asked all of the teachers to leave their students and come to the center circle of the gymnasium. We had no clue what was about to happen. Mr. H can be a jokester, so we were all a little reluctant. We slowly gathered at the center of the gym as he urged us to get a little closer "like a group hug".

"Boys and girls," he stated, "You have all worked so hard this year. What you also need to know . . ." This is where Mr. H stops talking for a moment. He gets choked up when he talks about our school and our jobs because it means so much to him.

Mr. H composed himself and said, "What you also need to know, boys and girls, is that your teachers have also worked very hard. For the first time in the history of this school . . ." This is where a loud, collective GASP comes from the center of the gym.

"For the first time in the history of this school," he continued, "we have earned an EXEMPLARY rating from the State of Texas." This is where cheers, tears, jumping up & down, and more began.

And about 450 children (grades PreK - 5) sat and stared, confused and uncertain as to what was really going on. They knew it wasn't a bad thing, but they didn't understand what caused all of the commotion. Their teachers were huddled together - crying, laughing, smiling, cheering - but the kids weren't sure why!

Now, let me explain to you what this REALLY means. This means that our school - for the first time in its 12 year history - has earned an EXEMPLARY rating from the State. I know you may be thinking, "Okay, so what? There are lots of schools that are Exemplary." And you are correct. Kind of.

You see, though, we are a family. We aren't just colleagues, we are friends. As a staff, we depend on and can rely upon one another at all times. Everyone on our staff does what is right every time. Our jobs aren't only from 7:50 - 3:50. We're teachers. Our jobs continue past the last bell while we tidy up our classrooms and try to finish some work, on to home where we plan and grade and call parents, and to our sleep in which we have dreams (and sometimes have nightmares!) about our children. We laugh during the year at the many antics that happen in an elementary school. We support one another in the times of frustration and despair that happen in an elementary school. We cry on the last day of school because we know our children are leaving the safest place they know until they can return the next school year. I have never worked with a group of people as professional, dedicated, kind, patient, heartfelt, fun, honest, and responsible as these men and women are. I know I'll never have this opportunity again.

WE accomplished something that should NOT be attainable with the challenges we face. In fact, it's really not even expected that we would. You can't see it from the outside though. Once you get inside and spend some time in our school, you can begin to see why. Over half of our student body receives free breakfast and lunch every school day. Each Friday dozens and dozens of children receive bags full of food, juice, and milk so they aren't hungry when they aren't at school. We have discipline problems - MAJOR discipline problems. We are constantly faced students who have academic challenges, CPS, children with severe emotional issues, parent problems, visits from the police, budget restrictions, and so much more. We buy supplies for our kids because they often show up to the first day of school without even a pencil. Uniforms, shoes, socks, and even underwear are given to students that can't afford them. We work many, many extra hours tutoring and helping students in need.

But WE ARE EXEMPLARY. And with our population, our children, our community, our challenges, our issues, our limited opportunities . . . we did it.

And it feels amazing.