Bawlfest 2008

Yesterday, we had Challenge Day at our school.  It is hard to describe but it is basically a group therapy for everybody that goes.  It was cool to see my students actually get real and share their feelings with their group members.  The coolest part of the day was what they called "Power Shuffle."  Basically, all of the participants stand on one side of a line.  (there were 80 of us in this small space).   One of the leaders would then say a statement and then, if it applied to you, you would cross the line and go across the room behind another line and face all the people who did not cross the line.  Some of the statements were:

1.  Cross the line if you know someone who has attempted or committed suicide, or if you yourself have ever had suicidal thoughts.

2.  Cross the line if you have ever been told you were not good enough or that you are stupid.

3.  Cross the line if you have lost somebody that you love.

4.  Cross the line if you have ever been picked on or hurt by somebody in this room.

It was cool for the students to know that they were not the only ones going through tough things.  They also were reminded about how each person has worth and that we should be nice to all people, not just those we happen to like.  

My favorite part of the day was when one of my students came up to me and said:  "Alice, sometimes I complain about having your class twice a day and I say things like your class is lame, but seriously, you are my favorite teacher and I really enjoy having your class.  I am lucky to have you for a teacher twice a day."  I love that student.  He is truly one of my favorite students that I have taught in the last six years!  It was awesome to see all the students realize that their actions effect other people and to see them actually apologize to each other for things they have done to hurt each other.  I was reminded why I do the job I do and how lucky I am to associate with the future of our great country!

Challenge Day was a great experience.   Check out their website at:  www.challengeday.org

Another thing that I learned about myself is that I have a hard time sharing my feelings with people.  I especially have a hard time crying in front of people.  I was taught that I should not hold back those feelings because they are normal and that a good cry is how you let things out.  I need to be better about that.  I also need to not make fun of those around me when they cry because just because we are crying it does not mean that we are week.  I should not have picked on my brother about crying when I left Des Moines this weekend.  Sorry about that Bro!  Love ya!