The Eye of the Tornado

Teaching children with emotionally complex personalities has been the most rewarding work I have ever done.  It suits me. To be honest, it takes one to know one. As a child, making sense of the world, aka my family,  did not come naturally to me.  I felt like a different species all together.  There was no question, in my mind, that rules, boundaries, and norms were meant to be challenged.

 My family did not like it. My clothes, my loud mouth (sometimes a bit foul), my interest in all things boy and few things girl.  I was the only daughter and my mother was intent upon her job of shaping me. 

Looking back, I totally get it.  She was just doing her job.  She wanted to be a good parent and I was a stubborn tomboy. I didn't like being messed with. This made our relationship difficult.

Today, I am my mother's biggest fan. We love each other deeply. 

At some point, in my 30's, I realized that blame and rebellion only intensified negativity in my relationships with others.  I decided to change my direction and incrementally face my own demons and cultivate self-love and acceptance.

In the classroom, I see a lot of rage, fear, and pain.  My students are young,  and in their middle years.  Their bodies and brains are changing at an exponential rate.  They are emotionally complex.  

Mostly, they need someone to stand with them.  Someone to be steady when they are not. Someone to teach them when they are willing and capable.  Someone to accept them and refuse to personalize their feelings.  

I stand in the eye of their tornado.  I am unscathed by their emotions. When they grow weary I am there and ready to help them continue forward. I understand the tornado.  I had one too.