What's a number?

100. The percentage of EOGs that my students are supposed to pass to move on to high school
50. To receive an "on grade level" mark (a three), you must answer this percent of the test correctly.
40%. Number of 8th graders that had to pass the Science EOG to reach our school's growth goal.
45. Percentage of my 8th graders who passed the Science EOG.
20. Number of students out of 23 who passed the Science EOG in my first block.
3. The number of students who passed out of my 4th block.
15. Students of mine who scored ABOVE grade level (a four) in Science.

How do I feel about those numbers?

The glass is half empty.
Students only need to get half of the science questions correct to be on grade level? That speaks volumes, sad volumes about our educational system already. Then the fact that less than half of my kids were able to score half on the test? This test is what we've been working for since Day 1. If they failed, I failed. And more failed than didn't.

The glass is half full.
"You did good," Ms. F said as she peered over my shoulder at the data sheet. "For a first-year teacher? At a school like RMS? You gotta consider what we're working with. You should be proud." I guess my scores were the same as the other teachers--teachers who have much better classroom management and have been teaching for a lot longer. So I can be happy about that. And my first block? I'm so proud of them. Will got a 4. Tariq got a 4. They worked hard for it too. "I'm proud of you, Will," I said as I handed over the envelope. He had come to me during class telling me that the three he got on his practice test wasn't enough. "I want a FOUR!" He asked for study guides and extra help. He worked his butt off the last few weeks. And it paid off. He opened his envelope, beamed, and threw his arms around me. Surprised, I returned his hug and temporarily forgot about the group of students huddled in the corner wiping away tears.

In the end, I guess I got what I expected. It is what it is. My kids aren't numbers, anyways. They're people--with personalities, senses of humor, attitudes, and complicated lives. I came to love them, and hopefully I've done a little of that. Hopefully I can still do that in the remaining days I have them.

16. The amount of classes I have left with these boys.
11. The date in June after class ends, and also the day I realize that I'll miss some of these boys more than I can imagine now. SOME of them.
180. The degrees my life has turned since taking this job.
∞. The amount of time that's seemed to elapse since August 25, 2009.
And the amount of grace I've been shown through my journey this year.