The teaching profession is full of firsts. First time you make a kid cry, first kid you fail. First freshmen you see through to graduation, you're first drink with a freshly 21 year old former student who you remember quite well as a 15 year old high school freshman. There are also unfortunately some "firsts" that you hope are "Never Agains". For as many awesome "Firsts" that I've had, I've had "Firsts but hopefully never agains". I won't go into the details of the "Never Agains" that I have experienced because it's depressing stuff and I just don't want to go there. This weekend I experienced a "First" and a "Hopefully Never Again."
I woke on Friday morning to the news of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan. I sat in horror as I watched the news and the only thing I could think of was "Zack". My first year of teaching in rural Indiana I had the most awesome group of kids, when I left I cried. With the wonders of social networking I managed to keep in touch with a few of them who are now wonderful young men and women. One of these students is Zack. He was one of the most talented, enthusiastic, shining stars I ever had the pleasure to teach. If you are a teacher you know the kind of kids that make you happy you chose a career in education? That's him. We Facebook chat once in a while and I was so excited for him when he announced he would be teaching English in Japan. I've followed his journey via Facebook and when I heard of all the disaster in Japan I automatically thought of him and his safety. So for the entire day Friday I sat vigil over Facebook waiting for some message from someone that he was okay. I e mailed members of his family asking for news and they knew as much as I did. I can't count how many times I checked my e mail and refreshed my browser and PRAYED. I finally got word at 7:40 Friday night that the family received word that he was safe. I was beside myself for my student that I taught ten years ago, I can't even imagine how his family felt. I chalk this up to a "Never Again". Never, ever again.
On a lighter note I've got a "First" that had me a little shocked but I found it highly humorous. My IPOD dinged this afternoon that I had a FACEBOOK message. It was from a former student of mine inviting me to a "Surprise Party". I thought I knew what it was but I couldn't imagine getting an invite like this from a former student so I googled it. My first reaction was correct. A former student invited me to a sex toy party. I just kind of sat at the computer with my jaw opened and then I just laughed. I mean what else was I supposed to do?
