Martin

I went down to the health teacher to ask a few questions. We determined since it was just his personal experience and he wasn't trying to exaggerate or entertain it was perfectly acceptable for Martin's personal PowerPoint to talk about his family member's cocaine addiction, his Grandfather being shot and killed and his cousin who was raped by the uncle, apparently she will be having the baby next month. Martin amazes me. He has the swagger of a banger, but he says he isn't. He admits that people in his family are, and that they have tried to recruit him. He is my fastest typist still. Even though he sits in the middle of a group of friends who are less than hard workers, he is always on track, a little behind sometimes, but not by much. I rearranged some of my seating charts last week. At the beginning of the year I let the kids first choose their own seats and give them a chance to be successful next to their buddies and friends. Most of everyone is doing great, but a few tweaks seemed like a good idea. I tried to avoid completely re-doing all of the charts, making everyone miserable, just wanted to move a few people enough to let them know I think they could do better. I made sure to let them know my thoughts on the matter as I shifted this person and that. I only had one corner of guys in one class I completely rearranged, and I made sure to leave them close enough to a friend that they could chat now and again. I left one girl where she was but moved away the boy she was flirting with so they both could get more done. They admitted begrudgingly that I had a point. I didn't move Martin, he is the best thing that group of friends could have. He keeps them informed and is a great example. But I just found out he is moving on the 20th. He is going to move in with his sister because her kids are not doing very well. They live on an Army base in Germany and the kids need more discipline. So Martin, the 9th grader, will be the solution apparently. I wish he could just have more time to concentrate on himself first, on just being a kid. He says he is going to join the army as soon as he can.

Good luck Martin, I'll be thinking of you.