Excitement filled my kitchen when the kids got home, and the story spilled out.
The fifth grade class had taken a math test. It wasn’t unique, just their regular math assessment. When they had all been graded, Evan’s teacher asked them to do something.
“If you think you did really well on that test, stand up.”
All boys stood up. Evan did not.
He’s always struggled in math. He’s gotten extra learning support. He’s had aides help him. But, it wasn’t uncommon for math homework to end in tears. It’s never just come to him, and he knows it.
“Evan, you don’t want to stand up?” She asked him.
He shrugged his shoulders and looked away, assuming that this test was like the others.
“Everybody sit down. . . Evan, stand up.”
I wish I could have seen his face as he stood and as she told him that he and a girl in the class were the only ones to get every. question. right. I wish I could have seen his smile when he heard her words and realized that he had gotten it.
I’m glad he got to see my face as he told me, because I think my face looked a lot like his when he experienced it himself.
Past performance is the best predictor of future behavior.
I took the Psych classes. I know that’s true. But, I also know that we can be free from past performance, that we can claim confidence in change.
It’s only a math test, one of many, I know. But, it’s a moment he won’t forget, the day he learned he isn’t bad at math, the day he learned that he can do this, that he isn’t marked as a kid who doesn’t get it, that he isn’t stuck and entrapped by what has been. It was the moment he saw hope in what is and what could be. There’s hope for great things, and he saw in that moment that we aren’t going to be surprised at all when we get to see those great things happen.
I teared a little when the teacher had him stand up. Darn you, I’m at work! Wonderful post!
I love it!!!!
Way to go! Not only is it great to succeed at something when you have previously struggled with it, it is such a nice treat to be told how great you did when you weren’t expecting it.
I just found your blog through “Grafted In”… I cried when I read this post. So amazing! So happy for him! What a victory!
Blessings,
Rebecca
…and THAT is why I LOVE teaching. All the Evans out there who need to see their true potential.
Super proud of him!! What a great moment.
WOW! what a moment for your sweet little man!!! LOVE IT! thanks for sharing!
Yay sweet boy! Keep up the hard work and don’t look back! You CAN do it!
His story reminds me of my struggle with chemistry in high school. I just never got it, couldn’t figure out how to balance equations to save my life(we did some chem in freshman science and I’d come from a small private school that was way behind in science and math). I wasn’t used to being the ‘dumb’ kid in the class, so I never signed up to take chemistry in either high school or college. But eventually it came around and got me anyway because I did take bio in college and we ended up balancing equations there. Imagine my surprise that it was so EASY. It all came down to being all about confidence. So today when I am faced with something that I’ve failed at before,never tried, or been afraid to try, I push forward, more confident that I can, because if I could beat chemistry, I could rule the world (well almost! LOL)
To Evan: i have never met you. dont reslly know you. but, with that said, i think you are amazing, determined, bright and most of all an inspiration to all people of all ages!
To Kelly: this moment will always be a treasure, never forgotten, and has made a ripple in the lives of others through your beautiful open, loving mothers heart and gift of the written word.
Live!
I am totally tearing up over here! My daughter also struggles with math. We’ve had tutors- plural. And extra help from mom & dad & teacher. And she’s only in 1st grade. I’m so familiar with homework time ending (and/or beginning) in tears. We finally had our first success of the year last week. Not a perfect test, but close. We are thrilled & hoping everything we’re doing is finally paying off. I love that your son’s teacher recognized him in front of the class. How wonderfully memorable! I hope we reach the same goals!!
Call me a wimp, but that made me tear up! How wonderful!! Congratulations to him.
Gina B
mom-blog
yea! This is awesome!
Joining the teary masses here at my desk. Wow. What a moment. He will treasure that feeling and remember it forever. LOVE this story!!!
Such a beautiful story! How wonderful that the teacher made a point of sharing his achievement with the class.
Oh my gosh. I teared up too. I know all too well how hard it can be for some kids! Great job Evan!
Hooray! What an excellent moment.
Loved this one, as well as your Parenting IEP post. Great personal insight into your feelings, which are so familiar to me. Way to go, Evan!
I teared up reading this! Way to go!
Oh such a wonderful story! I agree. Just because our kids are supposed to fit a mold determined by the past just makes it all the more exciting when they see that they are not confined to that mold at all!!