WOW I can't believe we've done it!

Week 1 at my new school.. over

They said students in this city can't stay silent at breakfast/lunch...they did it
They said students in this city are bound to talk back...they're refraining
They said students in this city won't do their homework... they are
They said attendance in this city is poor...over 95% every day
They said parents in this city don't care...phone calls every night
They said things in this city are hopeless...they are not
They said students in this city are bound to drop out of hs and not go to college...these will

I'll be honest... parts of me definitely believed a lot of the above... the beliefs and ideas that people have held about students in this city, a city that has a "failing education system" and has had one for years.

I didn't think this week would go so smoothly, but today after seeing our children chant
"Where are you headed-COLLEGE! Will you succeeed-YES! When you succeed what will you do?-Change history give back to our community!"
I knew that we were on the right path!

That doesn't mean we haven't had struggles, Oh we've had struggles! The kids are starting to test us, to see if we're real. For some it's very difficult staying in their seat, and not talking out of turn is like torture. But they're doing it!

Do we have a ways to go? Most definitely. But ALL the hard work we've put in, the long hours, the month of PD have shown, and in a big way!

One of our students came to school today after being shot at the night before at a gas station, and spending the majority of the night in the hospital ER. When asked if he was sure he could be at school, if he wanted to go home he said
"Nothing stands between me and college".
If that doesn't say something I don't know what does.

Needles to say I'm inspired :) and ready for a great year!