What I wish my students knew....

Dear Students,

Do you know that sometimes I feel like your mom? Over the course of a year I have come to know your quirks, your smiles, your frustrations, and your joys. The bell rings and you come shuffling in my room and I get to spend time with you for 55 minutes every day, 55 precious minutes. It is in those valuable moments that I get to see you, hear you, and do everything in my power to help you. You laugh with your friends, you put off your work (I know who my masters of procrastination are), and you try to get me off topic all within the first minutes of class. I know your tricks even if you think I'm unaware. You can't forget that I was in high school once. Sometimes I let you spend a few minutes procrastinating, just so you can let your brain rest for a second. I know that at times you think work is too hard, but did you know that I give you the "challenging stuff" because I know you are capable of achieving greatness? I would not waste such precious plans on people who could not accomplish much. I challenge you because I am confident that you are intelligent, that you truly want to succeed, and that you could come up with amazing insights into literature that I might not have seen before.
Do you know that a lot of times you "wow" me? I love it when you talk about characters of novels as if they were your best friends. I love to see you use concessions and counterarguments when you disagree with someone in class and in the end come to a mutual understanding and a greater perspective on the issue at hand. I love it when you ask questions. I love it when you take initiative and do the hard things, like presenting a project to the principal of the school. I love it when you use new vocabulary in conversation, and I love your creativity in your writing. I love when you decide to take an assignment and give it your own perspective, your own spin and give it some originality.
Do you know you make me laugh? Your quirky sentences about dragons, stallions, other classmates make me smile. Yes, I even think it is funny when you think that Germ -X gives you super powers to rid the world of germs. Somehow you even make reading a thesaurus fun.
But, as a teacher who feels like a mom, things aren't always fun. Did you know that when you hurt, I hurt? I see you walk into the room with your weary bodies and sad eyes holding back stories you are unwilling to admit aloud. Your usual energetic, fun, optimistic spirit somehow vanishes and I am powerless to help. Though I never find out what sadness haunts you, I feel for you. I suddenly become sad, like you. I don't know how to ease your hurts, or enliven your spirits, but I hope that you know I love you, as a mother would love you. The world can be cruel, and I just want to give you a hug and push that cruel world away.
Do you know that sometimes you hurt me? I understand that school work is demanding, and difficult; but your angry outbursts and lack of respect hurt my heart. When you taunt me, and in so many words tell me I have failed you as a teacher, and that you would rather be with someone else, I cry. Did you know that everything I do, plan, and work hard for is for you? Do you know that every time you take out your phone while class is going on I feel like you are telling me, "you aren't worth my time, there is something better out there - and it's important." Every time you sleep, complain, or refuse to do a task, to me is a slap in the face.
Do you know that even on our most difficult days together, when you want to storm out the room and slam the door and I in turn want to say things I know I would regret, I am proud of you? I am so proud that you decided not to feel defeated when you got a low score on an assignment, but in turn let it be an opportunity to do better on the next one. I am so proud that you work hard.
Do you know that I know each one of your smiles? Do you know that I know your individuality and it makes me smile? Do you know that I love to see you every single day?

Do you know that sometimes 55 minutes is not enough time with you? I know.