08/30/20
A Phenomenal Reflection: “Seeds Do Grow”
As I took my “Walk With God”, I thought about my scary first day as a teacher. I didn’t know what I was doing, how to get through an instructional block and if I’d ever be effective.
Turns out that one of my students, Mikayla, felt the same way. So, we had a conversation. She shared that she was nervous. I told her that it was my first day, and I was nervous, too.
The next morning, she handed me a comic that she made about the first day titled: Mr. Short Saves The Day.
I framed it.
Soon, I found out that this scholar had some academic struggles. Her words looked a little weird , and she didn’t comprehend well. They were problems that required intervention. I didn’t agree with that assessment and asked her mom to let me work with her.
The year progressed, her words started to look a little less weird, and her writing improved. But she continued to have issues with her reading.
Then came a moment. She failed a test and cried out of frustration. While walking to recess, I asked her if she was doing the reading log that we gave her.
She responded: “No.”
Me: “Well…”
Me(Again): “Cry for about 30 more minutes and then it’s time to get to work.”
Later that day, she wrote on the board: “Thanks for the talk.”
The next week, she passed both tests and started to build confidence, although she still struggled in Reading, which she articulated in a paper.
In her what I’m looking forward to in fifth grade composition, she wrote that she was looking forward to learning how to read. Her words caused me to change my mind about leaving the school. (I looped with the kids. )
Over the summer, she read every day. That hard work paid off. Her comprehension improved , and she passed every Reading test that year.
On the last day, I gave her a journal.(The same as my mentor, Allen, had done years before for me.)
This young lady put that journal to good use and began work on her first novel. I kept up with her intermittently. She was blooming in middle school…being placed in Pre-AP classes. Yep, she went from Intervention to Advanced…Phenomenal.
About two months ago, I received a message that she had completed her first manuscript. I was asked to critique it and give my thoughts. I thought it was worth being published.
A few weeks later, “The Shadow Man” by Mikayla Hodor was released. I couldn’t believe it. Only four years into my career, I have the honor of saying that I taught a 13-year-old author. I was even more honored that I received an acknowledgement in the opening salvo…too cool.
What’s even cooler is that I was able to interview her about the book for my show: The Phenomenal Student Podcast. And yesterday, I attended her first but not last book signing. She read an excerpt from her book, answered questions and took pictures.
It’s one thing to talk about growth. It’s another thing to see it happen. Mikayla went from struggling to write and comprehend to writing a book that others have to comprehend.
Plant a seed.
They do grow.
I leave you with two things.
1. What type of seeds are you planting?
2. Be patient and allow them to grow.
The Phenomenal Student 