A unique 'Birthday Eve' gift

Today I got a very unique and special Birthday Eve gift from one of my Year 9 girls. Something I had never had before. It came in unusual wrapping and exploded once opened. It was her eruption of vile language as she told me I was a fuckin' slut, fuckin' whore, scrag, bitch, fuckin' skank. To about that effect- and as incoherently too! I was shocked, but not offended. I've been thinking about it since and really and truly deep in my heart am not offended at all. I was even defending her and justifying why she did it when reporting her to the co-ordinator (she's been in a lot of trouble and about to be suspended- pressure plus!!) It made me realise how I had changed (grown? dare I say it) as a teacher. Had this happened two or three years ago I would have burst into tears. I would have taken it as a personal attack. Humiliation in front of the rest of the class. I would have been terribly offended and felt worried to have to encounter her afterwards. Now, however, in my fourth year, I was able to sympathise with her and see the bigger picture. A girl, under a lot of pressure, co-ordinators on her back, who felt intimidated, so lashes out at the nearest authority figure in an attempt to save face and regain dignity. And a bit of control. Unfortunately, as we teachers all know, this simply adds more days to her suspension and gives the co-ordinators more ammunition when approaching the parents to tell them.

The warming part of this Birthday Eve gift was the response from the rest of the class. Students patted me on the shoulders, shocked that I was not in tears, checking to see if I was going to cry, telling me it wasn't true, that this girl should be expelled for what she said. My naughtiest boy shook my hand and carried a tub back to my office for me. They oozed sympathy towards me. They showed compassion, team spirit BACK UP! BACK UP! All the things we HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TEACH THEM THIS YEAR! Woo Hoo! Success!

So, on reflection, the negative actions of one was a springboard for the positive actions of so many. Each year, I think I could never love a class as much as the one I am just saying goodbye to. Until about this time in the year, when you learn about each little personality flittering through the classroom. When you see their good sides and they interact with you on a human level. When you see each as a little human package unfolding before you, growing and changing and shaping and learning. And you had an impact on that. There is no better, more rewarding job. (Even if I have to be called a Fuckin' whore, slut, skank, scrag to earn it!)

So thankyou, naughty Year 9 girl, for my early gift. And for extending my vocabulary! And thankyou class for showing your support and warming my heart. Tomorrow I'll be 25 and the Year 9 girl will be suspended :(