"Why can't we give you a hug here?"

my kids & our "room" in the library

One thing is certain. The saying, "You should never read a book by its cover," is so true. Today, the last day of school before "winter break," I fell speechless before my kids. One of my girls is unfortunately heading back to the school she was at before this one. She was using a fraudulent address and therefore is being kicked back. As my kids were lined up at the door I was giving them a little speech about how I'd miss them and they were to have a great break and Merry Christmas. I told the girl who was moving, "I'll give you a hug in the hall," knowing that I'd not see her again for a while, if ever. As she nodded to me, one of my boys says, "Well, why can't we give you a hug here?" Stunned I stood rethinking what I just heard, sure that I heard wrong.

October pic

I answered slowly (confused as I wasn't talking to him originally), "Well...you can give me a hug here if you want..." Meanwhile this is the boy who acts tough in the halls and in the regular ed. room. Still confused I held the door open as they filed out and then, one by one, they all gave me a hug, tough guy holding out both arms and truly hugging me. I quietly locked the door behind us and walked them outside.

As I watched them walk away I stood still, treasuring what had just happened. This boy, who so often sets the "cool" factor in the room just opened the door for each of these kids to give and receive love. Little does he know that he just revealed his vulnerability and his need for love and affection. If that's all it takes - he needn't look further.


I'm pretty sure that's the best Christmas gift I can possibly receive this year. Thanks God.

Ms. Minnich is taking me somewhere...

Eddie, Jonathan, & Alex

Supposedly this is what Jonathan, one of my students, told his sister as he walked out the door this past Friday night. We were going to the Philadelphia KIXX game, as a reward to a few boys I worked with the first few months of school. They are nice kids and always worked hard for me. A huge blessing this past month was that another special ed. teacher was hired. This in turn means that my caseload was cut in half! I decided to reward a few of the kids who I wouldn't be working with anymore but that worked really hard the first marking period by taking them to the KIXX game - Philadelphia's indoor soccer team.

Ecstatic over hanging out with Jorge!

These guys were all peering out their front doors when I pulled up, were full of eager questions, and just an absolute blast to be around. My roommate Juli and I had a great time and spent most of the night hiding smiles as they exclaimed over and over again at how much fun they were having. My friend Jorge stopped by and answered some questions for them, as he plays for the KIXX. They didn't know what to do with themselves. Quote of the night was when Jonathan, on the ride home, stated, "I'm going to put this ticket in a case when I get home...and I'm going to keep it even until I'm old."

THIS is what it's all about.

Thank you Mr. Panksy?

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I just wanted to share a few things I am thankful for...especially since lately I've only carried on about the horrible state of public education and the city of Philadelphia...

1. I am thankful for my student who has multiple physical and mental handicaps, who, when overhearing me discussing gym with another student, said "Mr. Panksy? Who is that?" with an incredulous look on his face and unsure if he should laugh or keep a straight face. I informed him that "No, the gym teachers name is not Mr. Panksy, it is Mr. Stepansky." I'm thankful that we can laugh together at times like this. (Quote of the Week #2)

2. I have a fantastic church family, with whom I packed 50 Thanksgiving boxes with on Saturday. What a blessing it was to not only fellowship together, but to serve our neighbors and give to those in physical need. Nothing like a box of food and a frozen turkey to put a smile on someone's face!

3. My friends are amazing! Who else throws a Extreme Home Makeover Party to celebrate a family in Camden NJ? Who else spends time in prayer for the family? And who else plays Pin the Megaphone on Ty? Check out the link below! This was quite a Sunday night! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xq_xpCs9jw

4. Thankful for political leadership in our neighborhood that looks like that might actually do something! Our neighborhood rep. has shown up on the streets knocking on doors, at community meetings, and has written legislation to propose college funding for more students in PA. Check out the post on PA House Bill 1722 for more info.

Happy Thanksgiving all! Thank you for your love, support, and prayers! I am encouraged by all of you! I miss you!

Detention Woman

Latest quote of the week...

"So Miss, you were in my dream last night..." Not exactly the words you love to hear coming from one of your middle school boys. After a few strange stares he continued, "Yeah I had a dream that you were making everyone stay for detention next week. Do I have detention today? I brought in all my papers for your because I don't want to get detention again. I don't want to make you mad, Miss. I brought all my papers because my mom's going to take everything away from me again if I get detention."

This came from a student who I demanded bring in all daily behavior reports he mistakenly failed to bring in from that week as well as two apology notes for his comments towards other teachers. He practically threw them in my face that morning and then the above conversation began. Ohhh...the joys of teaching! I kind of enjoy the fact that for the moment he is somewhat intimidated by me, at least enough to not get detention.

Farewell from Detention Woman!

"You making me fusterated..."

So last week one of my students said this, as I was asking him to take notes. This is the same boy who has about 20% use of his left arm and walks with a limp due to physical handicaps since birth and also as a result of an accident a few years prior. It takes much effort for him to copy notes and as I erased something he stated, "You making me fusterated..."!

Now after an extremely long day at work I've felt like screaming those words about 50 times today! I'm fed up with the injustice that goes on in this district. I struggle between the balance of writing the joys and inspiring moments here and then the contrast of such difficulties. BUT I desire to speak truth and know that if I were face to face with some of you I'd share it - so here goes. Stop now if you don't want to hear the truth!

So 5 weeks into school, after the big hurrah where 2 news stations showed up to video the ribbon cutting ceremony of the "first day" of the new district school WE STILL DON'T HAVE LITERACY TEXTBOOKS. Then I found out that the probably reason for that is the school district failed to pay a prior bill to this company. I find it infuriating that not only does the school district get praised for their new school but they fail to ever experience the day to day struggle of teaching in overcrowded classrooms with no materials.

School district initiative: lower class size.

What does the brand new school bring? The district budgeted for 800 students, 35 of them special ed. We are now at 950 students with classes of 33-35 students (after adding three more classes just this week). We have 100+ special ed. students which leaves us all maxed out on caseloads and with more students than we can possibly service. We are still waiting on 2 more special ed. teachers - unsure if we will even get them. Many of the grades are sharing textbooks in all subjects which 6th grade has yet to receive ANY literacy materials. We don't have calculators, not even for our special ed. students. We scraping together all desks and chairs because we don't have ANY extra. When classes switch if one is bigger than the other they take their chairs with them.

Where are the cameras now?

In saying all of this I desire not to get your sympathy. I desire for people to know what injustices these kids are facing. Bottom line - it's not fair and if it happened 20 miles outside the city ... well it just wouldn't happen there. My reason for speaking out is to seek prayer. My heart and soul are exhausted! I desire to do all I can for these kids and this school but to find a balance with resting. Praise God for amazing roomates, friends, family and church body. Pray that Jesus reign over this school and that a revolution take place in this district.

I am fusterated...

Dear Ms. Mennice

"Dear Ms. Mennice,

I'm sorry for be bad in class I hope you are not mad because I know you have a hard time trying to teach 34 kid at one time so I am sorry for all the troble I've caused I will not do it again Sorry Ms. Mennice

From your best
GF"

We're still working on my name (pronunciation & spelling)! This is a note I received from a student after he had to stay for detention the second time. He forgot the paper that needed to be signed but told me in a grumbling voice, "I forgot it but my Mom knows I am staying. I'm punished and she said that you can keep me every day next week to make up for all the things I didn't learn in class while I was talking." The crazy thing is - he is by far the toughest student I have! Each week I'm going to try and do a quote of the week so this is the first!