whirlwind.

this week has been quite the whirlwind.

so, most of you know that i teach a group of elementary kids (all boys!) with emotional and behavioral problems. i started the year off with eight kids and got a couple new ones as the year progressed. we are a super tight-knit group and i just love my students! these kids are extra awesome because they are so accepting of everyone and are extremely friendly and kind. no matter how hard it is for me to get out of bed sometimes and face another day, once i see my kids, my attitude completely turns around because they all make me so happy. i just can't say enough good things about them! 

last week, wednesday to be exact, i received an email saying that i would be getting a new addition to my class who would begin to come to my class on tuesday. two hours later, i received another email telling me that another student (a little girl) would also be added to my class, also beginning on tuesday!

i think it's safe to say that i am scared out of my mind.

friday, i met with the new little girl's parents and she got to come visit the class and see what her new school would be like. the first time i saw her, she ran up to me, threw her arms around me and said, "mrs. lake, mrs. lake!!!!! i love you!" my anxiety eased a bit, but i was still a little concerned about how the boys would treat her. 

after we walked into the classroom, my sweet boys lit up and were so excited to meet their new friend. in fact, one of my kids showed her where her desk was and even pulled out her chair for her! she was even able to come out to recess with us and the boys just treated her like she was one of them. as i watched them all play together, i felt so much love for my students. i felt so grateful for their sweet personalities and how much they care for each other. the little girl's parents kept saying how special these students were and how they had never seen a group of kids (let alone a group of older boys!) accept their daughter as quickly as my kids did. it was the most heartwarming sight to see, and i would be lying if i said i didn't shed a few tears watching them.

a lot of these kids have experienced some pretty severe abuse and trauma in their lives. they are used to being known as "the problem kids" or "the bad kids" and the majority of them have had to change schools because their teachers just couldn't handle their behaviors. i wish that all those people who had given up on them or hurt them could have seen them this afternoon as they reached out to this little girl and made her feel like she belonged. 

for as difficult and frustrating as this job has been thus far, i couldn't be more happy or grateful to have had this opportunity to get to know these sweet boys. they have taught me more about compassion and love than i ever thought possible.