I had three girls both years in all subject areas. Two were twins and the other was Becky. It is hard to physically describe Becky without sounding heinous, terrible, and rude. So I wont. Just know that Becky did not physically blend in with her surroundings, and the truth of the matter is she didn't blend in academically as well.
Becky was one of a few students who came to my first Open House. She came with her mom who had also attended BSCA and was truly interested in what we would be learning. (Becky was also the one who told me what I'd be teaching my first year. Until this point my principal was super vague about my schedule, so when Becky came in with three of four classes saying FRECH, I knew what I needed to prep for).
Becky was one of the sweetest students a teacher could ever ask for. Her voice was quiet and high pitched, she laughed at all of my stupid attempts to make students have fun in class, she did all of her work and homework. She wanted to write the date on the board everyday. She is the only student who gave me a Christmas card my first year and was my closest glimpse to what it must be like to teach in the suburbs.
Becky came to school ahead of the game. She was able to write in full sentences, could spell, do math, and read fairly fluently. In her first year in my class she raised four grade levels in reading. By End of Grade testing, she scored high enough to "pass" the test. All in all Becky was awesome.
Unfortunately, Becky struggled socially with others around her. She did not fit in at all. She was 12 and wanted to act 12 amongst a group of children who were 12 and wanted to act 22. Becky brought stuffed animals to school and lived for Lisa Frank folders. Her social struggles were exacerbated by home struggles including losing a father at a young age, and being left with different family members at different times. Becky suffered from childhood obesity and in the culture of my school, not only was she racially the minority, but her body type was as well. Initially, she was teased heavily and was left in tears, but by her second year she found her voice, realized she was smart, and in consequence, found her voice.
(I do have to share this. I was explaining the geography of Charlotte one day. Becky was telling me how she was going to go to North Charlotte to visit her sister over the weekend. One of the twins responded saying, "North Charlotte, that's a big place, bigger than Charlotte", to which Becky looked at me, looked at the twin, rolled her yes and said, "IT'S THE SAME CITY!")
Looking back, Becky was my first student who just needed a chance to jump off a cliff and develop her wings. At the end of the school day I was often left wondering how Becky's life would be different if she was at a different school, in a different classroom, or with different friends. I felt like maybe she wanted to break out but was too afraid to be different. I felt confident that by seventh grade Becky could stand up for herself, but was worried that she would never feel comfortable being the person she always dreamed of being.
Becky will enter high school next year. My hope is that her voice becomes louder, that she walks taller and prouder, and that she find value in her intelligence. I also hope her surroundings only enhance her sweet nature instead of suffocating it. For students like Becky teachers need to feel responsible for protecting her against maturing beyond her age while encouraging her to think big and believe. Becky lived in a world where if she worked hard she knew she would get smart, and boy is she.
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