the highlight reel

Yesterday I think I experienced the highlight of my teaching career.

I was working with a seventh grade autistic student in math class.  We were working on two-step word problems involving addition and subtraction with fractions {I know...kids hate them as much as adults}.  My co-teacher was doing the hardest problem with the students whole group, and my guy doesn't do real well whole group.  So I was sitting with him and helping him process it.  He's a very bright kid, and usually knows right away what to do, but he just couldn't see the two-steps and what the problem was asking of him.  As his frustration is building he was trying every avoidance technique...jumping out of his seat, changing the subject, refusing to read the problem, sharpening his pencil...I just keep redirecting him to the task at hand.  He is getting more and more frustrated and starts to shake & he puts his hands to the side of his head, and in his very abrupt and loud voice says, "You are hard to defeat."
I just burst out laughing.  Take that Middle Schoolers!  I am hard to defeat.  I don't think I've every been complimented so highly by a student.
But the story gets better.  We continue to work...and finally I can see the light bulb go on.  He had that 'ah ha' moment, frantically writes on the paper & shows me the answer.  "Yes!" I say.
He jumps up, shouting, "I did it!  I did it!"  And he leans across the desk and awkwardly hugs me.

seriously

I love my job.