Priceless

My students are not angels. Hell, on most days, we all barely make it through unscathed. I often have to stop a lesson multiple times b/c someone has taken something from someone else. No one is allowed out of their seat without permission and we spent a week at the start of school reviewing routes to the garbage can and supply table so that no one is tempted to hit someone or snatch something as they walk by. Today so many of them weren't listening during first period that I just sat down and told them to finish taking notes on their own. It's far from easy and it's often thankless, but every once in awhile there is some shining moment that you file away to replay in those darker times. This morning I had one of those...

This may be one of those "you had to be there stories," but I need to share it anyway.

First period starts at 8am, but most students arrive at least five minutes early. They talk, draw, gossip, etc and it's generally not a big deal. I'm usually in the doorway, monitoring the class, but also doing hall duty. This morning, DH & DS walked into class early singing "Walk it Out" by DJ Unk and "walking it out." (Note: to "walk it out" is different for each person, but you can get a general idea with this dance video.) I went into the hall as expected and periodically peeked in on my class. With about a minute to go before class, I heard the familiar refrain of "walk it, walk it, walk it out" and I looked into my classroom and saw about 3/4 of my boys - all clothed in khakis, button downs, ties and dress shoes, mind you - dancing their hearts out. Other teachers passing by couldn't help but smile. And then the final bell rang and...get this...every one of them sat down!

Okay, so maybe you had to be there. Just trust me, it was awesome. And today, of all days, I needed awesome.