On teenagers....
With the beautiful weather we have been having this week I have enjoyed walking the track at the school where son has his swim practice. (Before the weather warmed up, I spent the time huddled in my squall jacket, learning that I could turn on my iPhone while wearing gloves by using the tip of my nose.)
The high school where he swims is my alma mater and the school that my students feed into. Not surprisingly, I am recognized and waved to often during my walk. I love it because who doesn't like a friendly hello, and I enjoy seeing my students growing up.
During my walk today I realized I was also really enjoying being surrounded by them. While I walk the track and field teams are practicing sprints, hurdles, shot-put, long jump, high jump, etc. and the girl's lacrosse teams are having their practice in the center of the field. I just love being surrounded by healthy athletic kids. Their endorphin high is contagious.
I also realized today another aspect about the kids that was different. Confidence. When these kids were my students, they were going through the most awkward time in their lives. Now most of them are on the final lap of adolescence and the change in confidence and poise is very evident. I always tell my husband that I can tell if a girl is in middle or high school just by her posture.
I remember them as the awkward kids they were and seeing them so self assured is such a great gift.
The high school where he swims is my alma mater and the school that my students feed into. Not surprisingly, I am recognized and waved to often during my walk. I love it because who doesn't like a friendly hello, and I enjoy seeing my students growing up.
During my walk today I realized I was also really enjoying being surrounded by them. While I walk the track and field teams are practicing sprints, hurdles, shot-put, long jump, high jump, etc. and the girl's lacrosse teams are having their practice in the center of the field. I just love being surrounded by healthy athletic kids. Their endorphin high is contagious.
I also realized today another aspect about the kids that was different. Confidence. When these kids were my students, they were going through the most awkward time in their lives. Now most of them are on the final lap of adolescence and the change in confidence and poise is very evident. I always tell my husband that I can tell if a girl is in middle or high school just by her posture.
I remember them as the awkward kids they were and seeing them so self assured is such a great gift.