2014 Year in Review: An Arena Perspective

It has been five months since my first post.  Hats off to edBloggers Jon Harper, Dennis Schug, Chris Crouch, Keith Howell, Peter M. DeWitt, Seth Berg and so many others who unfailingly answer the call of “inspiring” in a perfect, seemingly random, kind of way - cerebral energy much appreciated.

Hours away from a new year, I couldn’t but sit down and take a moment.  What did I leave behind? How did I measure up? What kind of learning integrity did I exhibit?  These are tough questions to answer.  To answer them truthfully, I have to be willing to climb up a long staircase, enter the arena via the “Gate of Life” and face an expectant crowd.  As I climb, very special moments flash before me.  I have moments outside my classroom where I hugged and cried with students who confided a family situation.  I think about the students who know that they are welcomed to the half-eaten donut I was saving for later or the extra “taco” that would’ve been my breakfast.  Can’t help but smile when I hear former students tell my students this year, “Mrs. Bolado can do anything.”  I often wonder where they get that from.  I try to correct their choice of words – as I certainly “can’t do everything”. But in their eyes, I can.  I got this reputation during the first half of the year.  I accompanied my all-lady STEM team to the White House.  A very proud Resaca Middle School planted its flag in Washington, before education giants like Arne Duncan, Charles M. Bolden and the President of the United States.  Later in the year, we were honored during the LCLAA Convention (Labor Council for the Latin American Advancement).  Top honorees received plaques for their dauntless work in unions.  One in particular addressed my ladies and said, “Your presence here is proof that our work has not been in vain!” The pride that overwhelmed our table is something I can’t articulate into words yet.  (You would have been proud, Mr. Jimmy Casas.)

The untraditional teaching approach was and continues to be a big hit in my classroom.  I can tell by the high-fives and fist bumps in between classes. Project-delivery is always an exciting time.  Their faces, their presentations, their videos – all created with me in mind.  I forget I have to give grades.  They are all winners, even the team of boys who decided that tennis shoes could be hung in such a way to create pendulum motion.  This is how they make my day, every day.  Frame by frame – these are the moments and emotions that have accumulated month after month.
So - at the top of the stairs, about to go out and face the crowd in 2015.  Truthfully, I am happy with who   I was to my students.  I am happy about the giving spirit I carried inside.  I learned, failed, and re-learned to be better for those under my watch.  But honestly, [and they don’t know it yet] I am going to take them higher.  This is not your floor, Resaca.  Maybe the kids are right.  Maybe we CAN do everything, together.  The crowd that is expecting us can be dubious, but our fighting spirit remains undaunted.   

I hear their chants and applause, that’s our cue.  Let’s go.

Dedicated to my #GatorTribe:

Asael Ruvalcaba, Carlos Lainez, & Leticia Rodriguez, #KeepFightingTheGoodFight