Just when I feel...

like there isn't a thing in the world I can do right, something always shines though the gloom.  Yesterday was just one of those days.  I was driving 13 hours home, I didn't get enough done before I left, and I was TIRED!  But then it came, my shining moment when I realized I was going to make it, in an email.  And, for some, this email would have meant nothing.  For the "retired" teacher in me, it meant that even though I can't reach a whole classroom full of students, I have the ability to reach one.

For those of you that didn't know, I have been tutoring a little girl in Alabama.  We'll call her Petunia (for her privacy and because I love the name but, I KNOW Adam will never agree to naming a child this).  Petunia has been so bummed about math and her "A" level work dropping to a "B".  Her attitude was beginning to be seen in her work and that is why her mom called me.  Petunia and I have been "hanging out" for the past few weeks and every week I make it my goal to pull one of those "teacher-only" tricks or tools out of the bag!  She has absolutely loved it!  Week after week we see a little improvement here and there, but yesterday in the midst of my FUNK, I got an email from Petunia's mom.  Here is what that email said:

"Hello Ms. Erin! Ms. Petunia would like to report that she received an "A" on the Math (written) test today, as well as, an "A" for oral.  We are ecstatic! Thank you so very much for all you are doing to engage her and helping her to succeed."

First, I love this because only in the South does EVERY child you meet call you Miss (insert name here).  And, to Ms. Petunia and her mom, I bet they think I made their day.   Little do they know, they made mine!  I remembered what it felt like to see the light bulb go off in a child's head or what it felt like to have a parent appreciate your HARD work.  And, mostly, it reminded me that I am good at a lot of things, they just might not be the things I need to be good at now.  But, for Ms. Petunia, my skills are effectively in place!

I leave you with this, remember that you could be someone's shining moment today without evening knowing it...to Ms. Petunia, you are fabulous!