I’ve spent the past two evenings baking, baking, and baking some more.

It all began last night when I baked and decorated a two-layer, 8” square birthday cake for a co-worker. It was a white cake, torted and filled with strawberry filling, white basket weave on the sides. I built up the top of the cake to a slight dome and covered it in pink roses. Then, baked and decorated two dozen cupcakes for a school bake sale. I piped the leftover white buttercream from the cake and then used flowers from leftover from other projects to decorate them. Everyone seemed happy when they received their goods, so I feel like I accomplished something.

I was really looking forward to just goofing off tonight. Soon after I awoke from my after-work nap, Emily called and asked me to bake cookies and breakfast breads to serve with coffee while she gives her BFA orals tomorrow. Instead of goofing off, I’ve spent the evening baking banana bread, coconut bread, and white chocolate chip cookies. Everything is cooled, sliced, boxed, and ready to roll out the door in the morning.

I think I really needing the baking time to think about one of my students. He’s been my student, off-and-on, for the past two and half years. When he wasn’t in my class, he was in an alternative school or the juvenile detention facility. He says her prefers the alternative school. By the way he acts, I believe him. While academics shouldn’t be an issue for him, he flat refuses to pick up a pencil. At first, he does nothing but suck up air and take up space. Then he starts acting out by becoming verbally aggressive, throwing objects, and trying to pick fights.

I’ve spent a lot of time working with this child and his other teachers. After spending countless planning periods talking to school administrators, spending too much time documenting behavior, losing too much instructional time from other students while correcting his behavior, and thinking about him on the drive home instead of singing along with the radio, I’ve decided to hell with it. I’m done. If this child is hell-bent on preparing himself for prison by attending a school where he must pass through a metal detector everyday and walk down the hallways with his hands behind his back, then I’m not going to stand in his way. I have other students who are counting on me, and I can’t afford to spend any more time trying to save someone who doesn’t want saving. When he gets back from suspension for cussing and fighting in his math class, I’ll let him be whatever it is he chooses to be, document it, and hope to God that he doesn’t decide that the best way to get back to alternative school is to hurt someone.

On a happier note, my youngest daughter has just been accepted to one of the local colleges. She’s come a long way since this time last year, when we were faced with a second hospitalization for her, and we were wondering if she would ever be OK again. I’m so proud of her.

Have a great night!

Comments:

Wow! It's people like you who will make a difference in this young kid's life. He'll remember you if he lives to tell his story when he's more mature. Never think your efforts are in vain. You may have planted a row of seeds that will come to fruition, especially if your love informed the planting. All your baking work - WOW! and CONGRATS on your daughter's acceptance!

comment by solitaire on Nov 21, 2008 6:59 AM ()

Oh, absolutely! It's so draining to deal with all of his issues on a daily basis, especially when I have so many students who are equally as needy, yet more cooperative. It's definitely time to let this one do whatever it is he's going to do, and concentrate on getting the rest of the students where they need to be.Have a great weekend!

reply by beabea on Nov 21, 2008 6:53 PM ()

It's too sad that you have to give up on this kid but, you're right, you can't neglect the rest. Maybe your efforts have had some effect and he just has to wake up when you are not there any more. Your baking marathon is impressive. I could never do it. I bake one pie and talk about my feat for months.

comment by tealstar on Nov 20, 2008 8:52 PM ()

Oh, wow, Teal! Pie baking is whole different ballgame for me! While I love making the fillings, I don't believe I've ever produced a decent pie crust. I can't quite determine what I do wrong, and I find the ordeal very messy and frustrating. At this point, I'll feel fortunate to progress past the graham cracker crust. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

reply by beabea on Nov 21, 2008 6:49 PM ()

comment by peanutsmom on Nov 20, 2008 7:42 PM ()

Middle school is so very different than elementary school, and while many children make the transition with few issues at all, some of them really seems to struggle. When I first get my kids as six graders, I tell them that my job is to get them ready for high school. (of course, we have three years to complete this task.) I start out holding their hand throughout the process, and then I expect them to become more independent and start making better decisions. The vast majority of them are successful in preparing for the transition. Afew of them, like this kid, just seem to struggle no matter what we do.Hope you have a lovely weekend!

reply by beabea on Nov 21, 2008 6:45 PM ()