With the guidance from several teachers, we were able to prevent a fight from happening on a Friday afternoon. This is my first time experiencing something like this so it left quite an impression on me. I observed something that made me really sad and worried. I noticed that it was an adult that was trying to start something. A full grown man leading this group of young kids, ages 13-16. How can we have people that can influence our younger generations in such a deadly way? Thankfully, the teachers were able to stop anything from starting and our students were escorted to safety.
I was able to speak to one of the students who I have a good rapport with. His words to me were "I was only trying to take care of so-and-so's back." I looked at him and said, "who cares about taking care of so-and-so's back, the only back you should be taking care of is yours." He looked at me and then stared at the ground. Then, I said something that might or might not have left an impression on this student. I said to him, "I see a future in you" and at that moment, he gave me a look I've never seen before. Not a bad look, just a look like he was in shock that I said that to him. Afterwards, he stayed quiet and he walked towards the office to wait for his guardian to pick him up. Before I left, I waved him goodbye and he waved back.
I'm not sure if my interaction with this student did any good. But on my drive home, my thoughts were consumed by this moment. Just by judging the look he had on his face made me think that maybe I am one of the few people in his life that actually talks to him, listens to him, and cares. I might be wrong, I don't know. All I know is that it was a total Hilary Swank moment like in the movie Freedom Writers. But most importantly, it reminded me why I became a teacher. I hope I am able to have more moments like these and I hope I can (potentially) guide more students like the one in my story towards a path that doesn't have violence or hate.
With love,
Ale
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