a small phrase
yesterday was filled with the normal bullshit of cattiness and student angst. i was thinking "fuck, it's monday! let's be positive PLEASE."
my story is about one of my students that i thought at the beginning of the year would probably never open up to me. she reminds me of ME in high school...super involved, on the college track, etc.
she (who will remain anonymous although this is on the preferred list) has been dealing with the effects of a mis-hap during sex. she used all the right precautions, but as we know, shit happens.
last week she came to me for advice on how to deal with this situation and i provided her with a variety of options and even a recommendation for a great ob/gyn that my mom has went to. she has an appointment with one soon and has talked with her mom without having to spill all the beans.
yesterday she told me that she was a couple days late and that she was starting to feel sick. i told her that it's more than likely her nerves that are catching up to her and that those same nerves can dramatically alter your body chemistry. i told her to just try and relax, give it a week, and see if her period occurs. and when it does, we can take a test just to be super certain everything is okay. (because i know that you can still have your period..spotty...and be pregnant.) she seemed to be relieved.
as she turned to walk away, there was no hug or grand gesture. it was a simple...
"love you mr. eirvin."
"love you too sweetheart."
that made my day. i may not always give the best advice. but i DO know that i have made myself into a person and a teacher that my students can talk to. free of judgment and free of shame.
so with all the bullshit that went on yesterday i knew that i did something right. and if she actually is pregnant, i'll help her find ways to deal with it. but for now, it's time to just wait and see.
i woke up this morning happy that i am who i am for the first time in a long time. and it was all because of her little phrase.
happy tuesday my friends.
my story is about one of my students that i thought at the beginning of the year would probably never open up to me. she reminds me of ME in high school...super involved, on the college track, etc.
she (who will remain anonymous although this is on the preferred list) has been dealing with the effects of a mis-hap during sex. she used all the right precautions, but as we know, shit happens.
last week she came to me for advice on how to deal with this situation and i provided her with a variety of options and even a recommendation for a great ob/gyn that my mom has went to. she has an appointment with one soon and has talked with her mom without having to spill all the beans.
yesterday she told me that she was a couple days late and that she was starting to feel sick. i told her that it's more than likely her nerves that are catching up to her and that those same nerves can dramatically alter your body chemistry. i told her to just try and relax, give it a week, and see if her period occurs. and when it does, we can take a test just to be super certain everything is okay. (because i know that you can still have your period..spotty...and be pregnant.) she seemed to be relieved.
as she turned to walk away, there was no hug or grand gesture. it was a simple...
"love you mr. eirvin."
"love you too sweetheart."
that made my day. i may not always give the best advice. but i DO know that i have made myself into a person and a teacher that my students can talk to. free of judgment and free of shame.
so with all the bullshit that went on yesterday i knew that i did something right. and if she actually is pregnant, i'll help her find ways to deal with it. but for now, it's time to just wait and see.
i woke up this morning happy that i am who i am for the first time in a long time. and it was all because of her little phrase.
happy tuesday my friends.