Things I'm Thankful For
Days util Thanksgiving: 10
There are a lot of things that I could kick off my list with. A lot of good-well valued things. Things that everyone lists on there 'I'm thankful for this' list. I'm going to go ahead and put something unexpected and way unappreciated on my list.
I'm thankful for my school.
Now, if you know me (like really know me, not just think you know me because you've heard something at school about me being smart) you will know this is a really big surprise, with as much as I complain about school, and teachers, and the amount of stress that school and school activities put on me (For real, I have probably lost about fifteen years of my lifespan from stress that evolved from school). I complain so much about school, so I'm going to take a moment to go ahead and just thank everyone for what they do.
I'll go ahead and star with the Obvious, Teachers. Thank you God for some of the teachers you have put in my life through my school. Most of the teachers I have met have been a great influence on me. To teachers out there who thank that what you're doing is pointless, let me go ahead and give to a quick pick me up: You aren't.
You have been granted a chance to make a difference in the lives of so many children, if you're a High School Teacher don't let it stop you that most of the students don't want to engage you.
I also want to encourage any and all teachers to reach out to the kids who don't talk much, or who don't seem to have many friends in their class. From the perspective of a kid who has been reached out to by teachers wanting to make a difference in an anti-social awkward teen's life- reach out to those kids. That doesn't mean calling them out and forcing them to talk in front of people- for some quite children that could ruin their day or week. Trust me, I have been that kid and I'm still friends with many of those kids.
Don't just coddle the children who usually get all the attention- they already have attention and getting a little bit more from you isn't going to make a difference in their lives. They know how to reach out when they need help. Instead go to the quiet children and talk to them. Ask them how their week is going. Reach out to these children. For real, you will find that you are moving lives in completely different ways than you expected.
My seventh grade year especially I had a great English teacher, I didn't have many friends in my class to talk to, and in all honesty I had great potential to hate school that year, but one of my Teachers, Her name was Ms. Phillips, really made a difference in my year. I somehow got into the habit of staying after class and talking to her. She made book recommendations to me. Talked to me, about her son, and I really loved her and felt like she made a lasting impression on me. You see, her son was (is) disabled. His brain can function from what I remember, and he can form thoughts. He's not just stupid, he just can form words. He can't talk, and he can't walk. He had been like that from the time he was born. Which is crazy to think that this lady was dealing with all of us stupid kids and her son at home. The year I was with her she was also finishing up something in Collage if I remember correctly. In the midst of all that chaos she still had time to hang back and talk to me about meaningful things that a more longer-lasting impression on me than any other teacher talking about grammar. That year I got a detention for letting someone cheat off of my homework (rebel, I know) and was basically crying the entire day, and she stopped class to pull me out and hug me and ask me what was wrong. She gave me an encouraging hug, told me that I could learn to just not do it again (which I haven't thank you very much) and that it wouldn't effect me in the future.
Teachers like that leave an impression on someone who doesn't get much attention from teachers. Try to be that encouraging teacher. Please, I'm telling you- if you do this you WILL make a difference in some kids life, and it will mean a lot to whatever kid you take the time to talk to.
Despite the fact that I just rambled quite a bit about teachers, teachers are not the only thing that I am thankful for at school. Another thing that I am thankful for is all the activities offered at school- or at least at my school.
At my school we have a Band, choir, drama class, forensics class, debate class, track team, cross country team, softball team, foot ball team, baseball team, volley ball team, basketball team, etc. etc. The really fun thing about a lot of the things at my school is this: You get in no matter what. Everyone gets to be on the football team. Everyone makes it, not everyone gets to play, but everyone who has seventh hour free, gets a Jersey, a spot on the bench/side lines, and a free ticket to long, hard work out sessions.
I'm not really involved in any sports, so I'm going to quickly retreat to a subject that I know more about. Band.
In my High School Band, you are not required to try out. You signed up in sixth grade, and you stick with it all the way into ninth grade- and you already have a spot in the marching band. A lot of schools do this, and I think that it is amazing. Marching band is something great to invest yourself in (as some people invest themselves into sports, and others into music this is a sort of blend of both I guess). And I love the fact that you don't have to try out.
I am not the best at the instrument I play, and I never would have been able to make it into marching band if I would've had to try out. I'm so glad that I didn't, because now I feel that I have been molded into a better musician, and a person with a way better work ethic. I have learned so many things from being in marching band- man that sounds really stupid- but I have learned that if you put in effort you get out something.
And this is a great chance, for those at our school who aren't dedicated to anything, to really understand dedication, and learn what it means to be a part of something. This is a great place for people to grow. It may not be the best, and probably will never be while I'm here, but it is great, because we have all learned a good work ethic through marching band. We have all, even those of us who started out mediocre, learned what it meant to be part of something great. And that has inspired me to practice more, and to work harder to achieve what I want. It has encouraged me to be better and to get better in my music making and has given me a glimpse at what hard work will be like in life. You give a lot, and sometimes you don't get back what you think you deserve (for example Eighth place at competition last year) and sometimes you give a lot and you get back more what you think you deserve (for example third place a competition this year ). This isn't just the band at my school, this is the football team that I mentioned earlier. Our football team hasn't lost in about 48 or 49 games which is completely crazy and mostly unheard of. For all the Sophomores football players in our school who have never been amazing at football, and who don't even get a chance to play- they go to the practices and they work similarly as hard as those who do get to play. The victory of each game is reflected in them. And when they DO get there time to shine, it must be better than anything else, getting to help in the game after all the hard work you put forth.
That's not it: I'm in the play this year, I tried out and I got in: like everyone else. Everyone who tries out for the play gets a part, which while at first I found annoying, but now I see that it really teaches something to the younger kids at my school come performance day. All the after school practices have finally amounted to this performance. And what you give is what you get. That's what I learned last year myself with the play, I didn't enjoy all the weeks leading up to the performance week, but performance week came and I absolutely loved the show. I loved seeing the children enjoy the show that I was involved in. I loved entertaining other people, and for those who would say that letting everyone be cast is a mistake- I would say that there are plenty of opportunities just in town for those who feel they are up to a higher standard. There are local orchestra's for those in band who wish to excel- local theaters that offer parts, need stage help, All region for choir and band etc. etc. and this may be giving you the push you need to go learn even more skills for yourself, don't be lazy go out there and improve yourself.
So this is me being thankful for my school teaching me hard work and dedication. Teaching me morals in life from teachers.
I'm thankful that my school pushes me to be the best I can be, despite all the complaints I have about it on a regular basis... I am thankful.
Thank you Greenwood.
P.s. Learning can also be considered an up to school, but while I appreciate that and I am thankful I get that opportunity to learn, which many people don't, I'm happier that my school in particular has offered me lessons outside of the classroom also.
I'm thankful for my school.
Now, if you know me (like really know me, not just think you know me because you've heard something at school about me being smart) you will know this is a really big surprise, with as much as I complain about school, and teachers, and the amount of stress that school and school activities put on me (For real, I have probably lost about fifteen years of my lifespan from stress that evolved from school). I complain so much about school, so I'm going to take a moment to go ahead and just thank everyone for what they do.
I'll go ahead and star with the Obvious, Teachers. Thank you God for some of the teachers you have put in my life through my school. Most of the teachers I have met have been a great influence on me. To teachers out there who thank that what you're doing is pointless, let me go ahead and give to a quick pick me up: You aren't.
You have been granted a chance to make a difference in the lives of so many children, if you're a High School Teacher don't let it stop you that most of the students don't want to engage you.
I also want to encourage any and all teachers to reach out to the kids who don't talk much, or who don't seem to have many friends in their class. From the perspective of a kid who has been reached out to by teachers wanting to make a difference in an anti-social awkward teen's life- reach out to those kids. That doesn't mean calling them out and forcing them to talk in front of people- for some quite children that could ruin their day or week. Trust me, I have been that kid and I'm still friends with many of those kids.
Don't just coddle the children who usually get all the attention- they already have attention and getting a little bit more from you isn't going to make a difference in their lives. They know how to reach out when they need help. Instead go to the quiet children and talk to them. Ask them how their week is going. Reach out to these children. For real, you will find that you are moving lives in completely different ways than you expected.
My seventh grade year especially I had a great English teacher, I didn't have many friends in my class to talk to, and in all honesty I had great potential to hate school that year, but one of my Teachers, Her name was Ms. Phillips, really made a difference in my year. I somehow got into the habit of staying after class and talking to her. She made book recommendations to me. Talked to me, about her son, and I really loved her and felt like she made a lasting impression on me. You see, her son was (is) disabled. His brain can function from what I remember, and he can form thoughts. He's not just stupid, he just can form words. He can't talk, and he can't walk. He had been like that from the time he was born. Which is crazy to think that this lady was dealing with all of us stupid kids and her son at home. The year I was with her she was also finishing up something in Collage if I remember correctly. In the midst of all that chaos she still had time to hang back and talk to me about meaningful things that a more longer-lasting impression on me than any other teacher talking about grammar. That year I got a detention for letting someone cheat off of my homework (rebel, I know) and was basically crying the entire day, and she stopped class to pull me out and hug me and ask me what was wrong. She gave me an encouraging hug, told me that I could learn to just not do it again (which I haven't thank you very much) and that it wouldn't effect me in the future.
Teachers like that leave an impression on someone who doesn't get much attention from teachers. Try to be that encouraging teacher. Please, I'm telling you- if you do this you WILL make a difference in some kids life, and it will mean a lot to whatever kid you take the time to talk to.
Despite the fact that I just rambled quite a bit about teachers, teachers are not the only thing that I am thankful for at school. Another thing that I am thankful for is all the activities offered at school- or at least at my school.
At my school we have a Band, choir, drama class, forensics class, debate class, track team, cross country team, softball team, foot ball team, baseball team, volley ball team, basketball team, etc. etc. The really fun thing about a lot of the things at my school is this: You get in no matter what. Everyone gets to be on the football team. Everyone makes it, not everyone gets to play, but everyone who has seventh hour free, gets a Jersey, a spot on the bench/side lines, and a free ticket to long, hard work out sessions.
I'm not really involved in any sports, so I'm going to quickly retreat to a subject that I know more about. Band.
 |
| My Marching Band at Competition |
I am not the best at the instrument I play, and I never would have been able to make it into marching band if I would've had to try out. I'm so glad that I didn't, because now I feel that I have been molded into a better musician, and a person with a way better work ethic. I have learned so many things from being in marching band- man that sounds really stupid- but I have learned that if you put in effort you get out something.
And this is a great chance, for those at our school who aren't dedicated to anything, to really understand dedication, and learn what it means to be a part of something. This is a great place for people to grow. It may not be the best, and probably will never be while I'm here, but it is great, because we have all learned a good work ethic through marching band. We have all, even those of us who started out mediocre, learned what it meant to be part of something great. And that has inspired me to practice more, and to work harder to achieve what I want. It has encouraged me to be better and to get better in my music making and has given me a glimpse at what hard work will be like in life. You give a lot, and sometimes you don't get back what you think you deserve (for example Eighth place at competition last year) and sometimes you give a lot and you get back more what you think you deserve (for example third place a competition this year ). This isn't just the band at my school, this is the football team that I mentioned earlier. Our football team hasn't lost in about 48 or 49 games which is completely crazy and mostly unheard of. For all the Sophomores football players in our school who have never been amazing at football, and who don't even get a chance to play- they go to the practices and they work similarly as hard as those who do get to play. The victory of each game is reflected in them. And when they DO get there time to shine, it must be better than anything else, getting to help in the game after all the hard work you put forth.
That's not it: I'm in the play this year, I tried out and I got in: like everyone else. Everyone who tries out for the play gets a part, which while at first I found annoying, but now I see that it really teaches something to the younger kids at my school come performance day. All the after school practices have finally amounted to this performance. And what you give is what you get. That's what I learned last year myself with the play, I didn't enjoy all the weeks leading up to the performance week, but performance week came and I absolutely loved the show. I loved seeing the children enjoy the show that I was involved in. I loved entertaining other people, and for those who would say that letting everyone be cast is a mistake- I would say that there are plenty of opportunities just in town for those who feel they are up to a higher standard. There are local orchestra's for those in band who wish to excel- local theaters that offer parts, need stage help, All region for choir and band etc. etc. and this may be giving you the push you need to go learn even more skills for yourself, don't be lazy go out there and improve yourself.
So this is me being thankful for my school teaching me hard work and dedication. Teaching me morals in life from teachers.
I'm thankful that my school pushes me to be the best I can be, despite all the complaints I have about it on a regular basis... I am thankful.
Thank you Greenwood.
P.s. Learning can also be considered an up to school, but while I appreciate that and I am thankful I get that opportunity to learn, which many people don't, I'm happier that my school in particular has offered me lessons outside of the classroom also.
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