Born This Way.

Learn more about writing a project for this match donation here: Born This Way Match

Y'all.
I have had a...week?
A month?

1. A visit from my 5th grade teacher.
2. A surprise award from People Admin's Inpired2Teach Essay Contest!
3. An anemic episode...or two.
4. Professional Developments.
5. Bracelet making for Refugees.
6. I AM unAFRAi.d. Assembly
7. October Poetry Parade.
8. All school assembly
9. Parent Teacher Conferences
10. Tech week for Seussical the Musical (Sour Kangaroo reporting for duty!)

And we're not slowing down.
Don't get me wrong.
We're loving every minute.

There was even a day last week where I emailed Andrea Davis Pinkney to find out how much a visit cost (spoiler alert - out of our budget range) - but SHE EMAILED ME BACK?!  I died.

We also, with the help of our friends at DonorsChoose.org funded several thousand dollars worth of projects around the US.  PAYING IT FORWARD.

And welcomed, with the help of our friends at DonorsChoose.org, two new carpets, a chromebook cart, teacher materials on mindfulness, and two more chromebooks.

But.

It's been a lot.
We've been a lot.
Crabby.
Tired.
Thoughtless.
Rude.
Confused.
Careless.
Unfocused.
Unsettled.

The kids and I both.

This time of year, I wonder if it's daylight saving?
Or Halloween?
Or parent teacher conferences?
Or the moon?

Until.

I chatted with our social worker about one of my littles.
"Did she explain at all what was bothering her this morning," I asked regarding her full teary meltdown about writing her name on her paper.
"Not really, but she did express concern about the holidays and what she'd be doing.  Because she doesn't know.  I think it's difficult because her foster dad might not necessarily be getting their input..."

Her voice trailed off, and I let my thoughts wander to the two blankets I'm crocheting for her and her sister. <-That's not proper English - correct me, please :).

I don't know when they'll go up for adoption, but I want to make sure they have THEIR OWN blankets for the holidays.

Just like I want my entire classhome to be trauma ready.

With the help of our friends at donorschoose.org and the Born This Way Foundation, we're one project closer to that happening.  Creating an environment for their safety and security makes spending 8 hours together - magical.

"I love our home," they often say when we return.
"Ms. W," they'll say during breakfast, "I just want to be home, I mean here for all the grades."

And of course, as much as I wish here meant in THIS classroom or with ME, what that really means - is they want to feel safe and loved all the years they are in school.

And boy howdy, do they deserve it.
Every.
Single.
Child.
Deserves to arrive to school - feeling safe, loved, and ready to tackle the day with an enthusiasm matched only by the educator creating that space.

I think Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation are SPOT on in their commitment to supporting classrooms across the country in this mission.

Have your written your project yet?
Share away, my fellow teachery type friends.  Share away.