Pinning emotions

As I have gotten older, I have become more emotional about almost anything.  Today, we saw a video about the network of schools I work for and I almost teared up.  (Fortunately, I had watched it prior to the public showing and actually shed several tears, so I was prepared to hold them in this time.)

The school does a pinning ceremony where they "officially" welcome each child into their new grade at the start of each school year.  Today was the day for that.

I pinned the students in my Advisory (kind of like homeroom), hugged the ones that asked for a hug and then went to the back of the auditorium to find one of my other advisees.

She has been in in-school suspension the last two days and was not allowed to be a part of the pinning ceremony with the other girls.

When I went to the back row of the auditorium, I pinned her and told her welcome to the 8th grade and that she is going to be like a butterfly just like the pin on her lapel.

I didn't think too much of it, but later today, the Dean of Students came to me to tell me that the girl was so excited and proud that I had sought her out even though she was in the back of the auditorium and pinned her.

When the Dean told me this, I almost cried.  Of course, I had to wear the mask of calmness and not let her know that it was touching me so, but I did tell her that I was really proud of the student and thankful that she shared that story with me.

I think about it now and how proud she was and how I want her to feel proud of herself so that she stops starting trouble that it makes me almost teary-eyed even writing this.

Being a teacher has some really great moments.