Observations of a High School Sub-Conversation Starters

I have three basic lines when I engage a student in a conversation:

1. How many brothers & sisters do you have?
2. What are your plans after High School?
3. Every tattoo has a story, tell me yours..... (lots of interesting tattoos in High School!)

Anyway, I recently asked a young lady the easiest (or so I thought) of the three above questions. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Her response was, "On my mom's side or my dad's side?" On my Mom's side I'm one of five. But on my dad's side I'm not sure. She began to name various names while tapping her fingers.... then she stated "I do know I have 17 brothers!"

Wow...I was speechless!

Observations of a High School Sub-Three Pee Sticks!

"I took three pee sticks... and I'm pregnant!" Announced a young 11th grade girl today during English class. I decided I would take a few moments with her. I asked how she felt about being pregnant. Her response was full of excitement and future dreams. This will be the first grandchild on both sides! She has the support of her family and prenatal vitamins... how much better can it be?!!
However, she let it slip, that the boyfriend is not happy. He is not even in NC anymore.... but he is going to return & provide a home for them before the baby comes. She certainly has dreams of living with her boyfriend and raising their child together. My heart ached for all she didn't know, all she was going to miss, for all the disappointments coming her way.
She is due in August. She will not return for her senior year... a GED is her main goal now. But truth be told, I don't think it is really a priority,it is just what she knows to say. I encouraged her to continue her education and explained how it will open doors...But I know.... a High School Sub has no influence. All I can do is pray... and pray is what I shall do this week as a High School Sub.

Observations of a High School Sub-Dance with no shame!

The highlight of my day came during PE class. I was an aid in an EC room. I was delighted when I walked into the practice gym and saw the kids dancing. The joy on their faces as they danced with no shame, as if they were the only ones in the room! One student was completely shut-down the entire morning, but there he sat, rocking, smiling and singing to the music. Around him were the downs students dancing, a blind girl swaying, and the students in the wheel chairs singing all the words and moving their arms to the music. If theses students, with all their challenges can find the joy in the dance, how much more the rest of us should be challenged to put on some music and just dance! Ecclesiastes 3:4....a time to dance!