My First Hug

I had been waiting for this. I know the student-teacher hug is a more common elementary school phenomenon than secondary, but I was still hopeful. I was still optimistic that one of my students, probably sixth grade, probably a girl, would give in to the temptation of a teacher's comforting embrace. Monday was that day. Sherry was that sixth grade student. I relished in it. In a small way, this felt like a success. My school participates in the Capturing Kids' Hearts program; my response, check, done, mission accomplished. I now have loftier goals of winning the hearts AND minds of my students. The hug was the first step. The first sign that I am becoming a comfortable figure to my students. Next, I will inspire them to learn. Now, don't get me wrong, this has been my goal the whole time, but a wise person once told me that your students won't care until they know that you do. Now they know I care. I always have. I always will.