Homecoming

Today I had my fair share of firsts....

Attended my first funeral for a young person-he was 17. I attended a funeral at a Baptist Church in West Oakland. It lasted for three hours.

It was the perfect way to send this young man to his permanent home in heaven. It was clear that he had touched lives-the church was full, God was present and preachers from around the country had traveled to be there today.

Chris was a young man characterized by the light that he shined onto others. When Chris walked down the hallways, he shook everyone's hand and asked how they were. He always had a smile on his face. He was a Christ follower. He was passionate about music.

For 3 hours today, we celebrated his life. Through testimonials, preaching, music and community, it was the perfect way to say good-bye to Chris. There were "Amens", "Hallelujahs", and "Can I get a witness here?". There was love, sharing and caring even after this terrible tragedy. And there was hope.

Although today was tragic, it also shined light into my life for multiple reasons. Chris was and is the reason for the majority of that light, but it also is the environment that I sat in and with for 3 hours. People who follow God with all their heart; who uplift God no matter what; who believe in the good in everything; and who stick together through thick and thin. When more than 50 ministers from all over the country stood and when 1 preacher from Iowa spoke, I quickly realized the love that their faith shares.

Chris-forever in my heart and forever remembered. I hope you felt the love coming from the Baptist church today and from each individual celebrating you. Go get your crown in heaven, celebrate all the good you did in your 17 years and play all the music you want....

A letter not to forget...

So on Friday I received a letter from a student that further reminds me why I teach in Oakland. This young lady is only in my math class, but I support her in her other gen. ed classes. This is her 1st year at our school so I am still getting to know her.

In math, she tends to struggle with the concepts but has always tried. She is one who wrote me a Christmas card, who gives me random hugs and who is respectful 90% of the time. She is also supposed to graduate in June. The last week she has acted very strange in my class. It was clear something was wrong, but she didn't want to talk about it and she also didn't want anything to do with math. During the week she ignored me, disrespected me and did everything except what she was supposed to be doing. So, I asked her to stay after class on Friday.

I just told her that she can always talk to me, if I am doing something wrong to please tell me, that I care about her and her grade in math, and we need to make some improvements. I also know she wasn't acting like this in any other class. At the end of Friday, she slid a note under my door. Here are some excerpts from what she said:

"The passing of the student at our school has wounded me. It makes me remember the night my uncle was murdered. I wanted so badly to tell you whats going on, but I didn't want to cry. I have this attitude because I am mad another person is gone.

I hope you understand why I can't say these things to you-it hurts too much (And my first three classes I try my best to not let anybody see my pain. 4th period math is when I can show it because I know nobody will laugh at me or stare at me.

You are a great teacher and I love you because you care so much."

I am proud that I have helped nurture a safe environment for these students to let their "guard" down and I am proud of myself for showing a student that I care. Again, why I choose to teach where I do.

When violence takes an innocent life

What a tragic way to start 2011....

A student at my school was shot and killed on New Years Eve right outside his house. He was a young man destined for greatness. He was on track to graduate in June, had applied to college, got along with everyone in our school and will surely be missed.

He had just put his 5 month old niece in the car when he was shot from across the street. The killer has yet to be found.

When I found out, I became physically ill. It makes me so angry to know someone shot and killed him. Someone took an innocent life; a young man destined to accomplish and give back to the community in which he was raised.

At school today, we created an altar in the hallway and every student created some sort of artistic representation to honor him. Then, each student wrote letters to his family expressing their condolences. It was amazing to watch my students create letters full of love, and sorrow. I was really proud of how they handled themselves today. It provides inspiration for me-that as a community we can reach beyond and strive for everything that this young man did.

He always gave me at least 1 hug a day, he helped each student in every class, he said hi to everyone in the hallway. His smiles, his laughter, his positivity will inspire me each and everyday as I move forward.

It is a tragic beginning to the year, but I hope that we all see God's plan and some good can come out of this....