That Smile....

I have a new student this year...a little girl...met her yesterday for the first time when her mom dropped her off to have lunch with us.  (She is in my half day program which started today)  She was a little apprehensive when separating from mom yesterday, but I reassured her and introduced her to some new friends that I knew would be a perfect fit for her.  She ended up doing great while with us and then mom came. 

Mom told her she would be getting off the bus at our school and would spend the afternoon with me.  She looked a little unsure, so I told her how excited I was when the bus was bringing all my friends back to me from the big school.  I promised her I would be standing outside with my "all day friends" and we would be waving and clapping when they got off the bus.  She looked right at me and said, "you WILL be there getting me off the bus?"  "Yes, that's what I do and then you spend the afternoon with me.  We have lunch, go outside, do some math, science, and social studies."  She looked a little at ease and I told her, "I promise to get you off the bus and I won't let the bus leave until I have your hand in mine."  She liked that idea and happily skipped out with her mom.

Well, we were outside patiently waiting for our half day friends to arrive via bus.  My 10 friends were happily talking and waiting and finally the bus arrived! It was the first day of public kindergarten, so we had to wait a little longer then we thought we would.  I took my list to make sure I got 9 anxious 5 year olds off the bus...a new bus driver from last year...I can adjust...  The bus driver looked at me and told me she didn't know who was getting off with me.  I told her don't worry I have my list.  I called out my friend's names one at a time.  One by one those anxious little faces appeared at the top of the bus steps.  I finally get to my new little girl's name and I waited patiently for her face to appear.  I told the bus driver her name again and she called out the name.  Then I see this little precious face appear around the corner of the seats...."Ms. Robin you are here!!!!" A HUGE smile plastered on the face of my new one who bounded down the bus steps, threw herself in my arms, and gave me the biggest hug!

To say she made my day is an understatement! The trust she put in me after knowing me for maybe 1 hour is a lot.  Sometimes I forget how little they are, how much they depend on me, how much they rely on me. This is another reason why I teach.  To see those faces light up when they see me, to get those hugs that get me through some tough days, to just witness the little joys in  their lives, that is a big reason why I teach.  I teach because it is what I was meant to do, born to do.  I teach because it is who I am.