I had many of the girls last year when they were in 5th grade so already had a relationship with many of them. A couple of the girls I've known even since Central Dallas Ministries' University of Values days five or six summers ago. I really enjoy seeing these girls grow up from year to year, but this was just such a wonderful summer. Every single one of my thirty girls was sweet, smart, funny, respectful, and willing to learn and try anything! I couldn't have asked for a better group to work with.
This summer I based our reading activities around the civil rights movement, specifically, school integration and the Little Rock Nine. We read a historical novel by Sharon Draper called Fire from the Rock and the girls really got into it. I just thought this was a really powerful story for several reasons. First of all, I think it is so important that we learn and discuss and emphasize this part of our country's history because all too often we want to sweep these events under the rug. (At least white people do). But the civil rights era was such an important time in history, a time filled with amazing stories of courage and of sacrifice for what was right and just. I love reading about and learning about this era and its events and heroes with kids because many times it was young people leading the way for change. I love for kids to read about other children not so long ago who weren't all that different than themsleves who had the courage and the willingness to do amazing things to make the world a better place. One of the things that I hope the girls took away from this summer is that you are never too young to stand up for what is right and to make an impact on the world. I loved reading this book along with the other articles, activities, and documentaries we dabbled in and seeing the maturity with which the girls handled this sensitive, but important, topic.
But we just had a lot of fun together too! I enjoyed all four of my youth workers, including Dezeray, who did an awesome job. I am going to really miss my days with this group of young ladies and hope to stay in touch with each of them. I always have that intention, but with the girls being from places all across the metroplex, and the busy-ness of school and schedules, it can be hard to follow through on. But I am thankful for this summer and these sixth grade girls because they kind of renewed a spark in me that was starting to grow a little dim. They reminded me how amazing working with kids can be and how important and impactful it can be. They renewed a love in my heart that had started to grow cold and I am thankful for that. While I'm tired from the hectic-ness of the camp, I feel invigorated at the same time, with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.
So Monday I will be starting work at another short program at Pearl C. for incoming sixth graders called the Early Start Academy. It is Monday-Thursday from 8:30-1:30 for the next two weeks. It is intended to give the incoming sixth graders a chance to sort of ease into middle school, get to know some of the teachers, etc while getting a head start on learning for the year. I will be teaching science for this program, which should be interesting since I've never taught that a day in my life. At the same time, I'm looking forward to the chance to get to know some of the sixth graders and bond with them a little before school starts, since it's a lot harder for me to do that in the library. This camp will run Aug 2-12, then we report back for the school year on August 16!! So definitely no breaks for this educator this summer, but it has definitely been worthwhile so far, although the good-byes are never fun. Once I connect with a group of kids, I just want to watch them grow up every day for the next 10 years!! Just look at these adorable faces and you will see what I mean! :-)
