Middle School, the time period every girl describes as point blank, hell. I remember the first day of middle school, wearing Limited Too was absolutely no longer acceptable and Abercrombie popped collars were a necessity. I soon realized that first day that having my mom pull up my hair for me was no longer acceptable. This conclusion being because almost every girl was wearing their hair curled like Lizzie McGuire.
Middle school here isn't quite so stereotypical, but here or home I promise you I wouldn't want to go back. Our first day teaching English to the 6th grade class I automatically tried to make eye contact with the first little girls I saw in hopes they'd choose me when it came to getting in groups… Rookie mistake. I then laid eyes on a little girl tucked away in the corner with her head down. Why was I striving for the attention of the little girls who clearly run the room? I felt selfish, I'm here to reach out to the kids that need me, I'm here to learn from these kids with lives so unbelievably different than mine, kids that need love. The last thing I want is to aid to the popular drama of adolescence and seek attention from the kids who ultimately get the most attention.
When kids were instructed to approach which one of us they wanted to work with I quickly changed direction and rushed to the little girl in the corner. But I was chased by the trio of girls I had already connected with. I crouched down next to Bessy and asked her to be in my group. She timidly looked up and smiled but that smile was soon wiped off when my possy of girls told her to go join the group across the room instead. Was this real life? I forgot how cruel girls could be. My motherly instinct set in and it took a lot for me not to backhand the bullies behind me. I made sure to promise Bessy I'd work with her aka protect her from the adolescence world for 40 minutes a day. Throughout our group time the girls laughed and giggled when Bessy messed up and jabbed rude remarks which only made me insist more she be mine these next two months.
It's been a few days now we've been working in the school and I have to say its my favorite part of the day. Bessy doesn't talk much but I have a feeling just the fact that someone took interest in her might be just what she needed. She's a little behind with her English than most students which is perfect because I have such a soft spot for her that the patience comes easy. Whether she warms up to me or not I don't mind, knowing that I can hug her and pay attention to her for 40 minutes a day is enough to know I may just be making an impact on this little sweetheart.
