Makeal

     Makeal inspires me, not only because he has given school a second chance but also because he sees potential in himself that he didn't see before.  I have met many kids this year who have much in common with the "old Makeal" who didn't want to go to school, didn't care how he did and couldn't think of any way to connect what he'd rather be doing to school.  I saw a NSD Community Schools booth yesterday at the campus career fair and I'm wondering if there were classes available there that would connect to kids as the skateboarding one did with Makeal?  Plan to look into that.  I know they have classes like quilting, ESL, karate, dance.  I also wonder if there are scholarships available for these classes?
     I have a student who says he hates school.  Yet, I see him doing things that indicate otherwise like taking leadership roles in the classroom and attending optional events.  He strikes me as a kid who would burn like crazy if someone put a spark to him.  There are so many positive ways to allow kids to write what they want, where they want and to an audience who can appreciate what they have to share.  I do see how Makeal needed this connection to get him motivated to learn.  No surprise that he missed school a lot - he didn't feel like he had anything to contribute that would be appreciated.  Now he sees that he can share what he knows about something he cares about.  Love it.