Booyah

Seth

I'm not sure how to describe Seth. He has some definite rough edges. Last year he wrote the F word and a few other choice words on some papers that were posted in the room just to get a reaction. He has a shaved head, speaks kind of slow, probably lives in not so nice of a house if I had to guess, barely scrapes by in school most of the time, gets some special ed services, not exactly an over-achiever. After last year's incident I kept the class after the bell had rung and explained why I was so upset. Student's work had been defaced, many students had to look at really foul language, I felt disrespected, etc etc. I explained that I would like some one to admit to it, but no one did. I had a few people express who they thought it was privately. I spoke to two suspects the next day. My first choice was actually innocent so I had to apologize for being wrong later. When I told Seth his name was given to me I think his exact words were "I... can't.... deny that." I asked if he understood why I was disappointed, he quietly said yes, turned a dark red. I said "ok" and walked away. I could tell he got it, I didn't need to prove I was all bad and bossy by "punishing" him. The learning moment had already happened. We've had a great relationship ever since. He even took another one of my classes this year.

Seth is certainly not a person who is comfortable in school, nor is he an over achiever. As I unlocked my door early the morning before Veteran's Day I was surprised to find him waiting outside my door. He asked if he could talk to me and brought in a big ol' backpack. He told me that it was the day before the Marine Corp's birthday and had thought it would be cool to put up a display in my room. (I'm getting really good at not acting shocked when it counts). He knew everything about the Corp, including their very early history including years and dates, I was amazed. His grandfather had been in the corp, his brother had just shipped off to the Middle East that month and he hoped to enlist as soon as he was old enough. He started pulling out all sorts of Corp issue uniforms, bags, equipment, boots. We worked together and made a pretty cool display on my back conference table. I printed off some signs that included some dates, some insignias, as well as a sign that said "display courtesy of..... and his full name." Throughout the rest of the day he brought in various people and showed off the display, I had never seen him be so out going and conversational once in the last two years. He did tons of work, and it had nothing to do with a grade.

I was flattered that he trusted me enough to know that I would respect his efforts, I don't think he has a very good relationship with more than a few teachers. I was also reminded how we all have our things that matter, and things that don't matter so much. It was a good day. I even think he smiled a couple of times, but just barely.