I get a lot of my former students dropping by to visit. Yesterday it was one of my kiddos from 5 years ago. He was a real mess when he came to me, lots of office referrals and suspensions in third and fourth grade, but so bright! Something just clicked for him in 5th grade. I was on his case a lot and didn't put up with any of his sh!t. I didn't send him to the office or suspend him, just kept reminding him of my expectations and that I knew he could meet them. You know... a typical lack of empathy. He's a sophomore now, on the football team, getting As and Bs in his college prep classes. Woohoo for him! I'm so happy he's got it together. And he's so tall! He was at my shoulder as a fifth grader and now I come up to his chin.

Veronica