Reasons to continue with school:

Seeing faces light up when I joke with those nuggets

Getting at least five hugs within the first five minutes of being in the classroom

Being told that I’m like a “baby sister” to the older guys in the class

The pictures I’m given

The jokes made at my expense

The constant basketball chatter

Seeing guys try to be sneaky and sign about the other teachers

Slowly becoming friends with the girl with autism who didn’t talk to me for two weeks

The happiness those kiddos have

Their love for each other

The constant building of my ego (“But Miss Alex, you’re so pretty!”)

Singing

Laughter

Acceptance

COLORING (this one is my favorite)

I've been so swamped with summer school and work and sometimes it's hard for me to remember why I'm double majoring.  It's so I can hang out with these kiddos and get to share their joy and happiness.  It makes the future a lot less scary and a lot more exciting.