"The Connection"

Sometimes in life, we are able to "really connect" with other people.

We all know that feeling. It's special and wholesome and it fills us with such a gratifying feeling that it's hard to explain.

But when we as teachers are able to "really connect" with our students, well, I can't even begin to tell you how awesome that feeling is.

It's that connection that keeps me teaching and keeps me coming back for more, for there's no better reward (and feeling) than knowing that I really connected with a student today and that just possibly I might have made that student's day.

Ok, it might sound corny, but today I had that. Sure, I've had it before, but today it was all the more special because it involved a student that's been really quiet and reserved all year---a student that's accumulated a number of absences, has been distant and aloof and difficult to talk to. A student, I fear, that's been taught that closeness hurts and distance offers the security of anonymity.

I confess I almost gave up on this student. It's a full classroom and there are so many loud students. This student is easy to forget.

Nonetheless, my daily greetings had gone ignored. My attempts to make feeble conversation and find common ground had been left dangling uncomfortably in the air. My simple questions had gone unanswered. My jokes, well, maybe they weren't very funny. I really almost gave up.

But today, for some strange reason, maybe it was the chocolate fudge I offered, this student smiled, reached out and "connected". We all did as we bit down on the creamy morsels, languishing in the healing powers only homemade chocolate fudge can bestow.

We all stood huddled like a team united in family secrecy, ready to take on the world. Our connection solidified with each bite confirming our shared appreciation for the very basic things in life, like good food, good friends and good candy.

This student happily reached in for more, looked up into my eyes, smiled then thanked me for the treats.

I took the lead and the best is about to come.