Day Thirty-six: Wait, what?

Today a phrase came out of my mouth that I NEVER expected to say. Remember the ring leader of the O5ers? The girl who has hated me all semester? Who has walked out, talked back, ditched, yelled, complained and basically doesn't want to be in school let alone my class?

I walked into the office after school today and asked, "Can you put her back in my class?"

How did this happen you ask? It started after I mentioned to the AP earlier today that I had seen her in the halls between classes, but she had not been going to her classes. I found out later that they had tracked her down and she was with some one from central administration. They brought her to my class 6th period as we were setting up the cafeteria for the football game. She actually helped a little before we all went over to the woodshop to brainstorm and organize for the haunted house. When she found out what we were doing, the light went on. She started talking about how we could make it so much better than the high school, throwing out ideas left and right and helping map out the path for people to walk. Then when she found out about using it as a fundraiser for the field trip she got more excited. She even started suggesting other things we could do to raise money. I told her if she stayed around and kept on doing what she was doing, I would do everything I could to make sure she could come.

Then after the bell rang I went to change the attendance since she had arrived late, only to see that she was no longer on my roll. That's when I went up to the office. I found the principal in the hallway and told him I wanted her back in my class. After all, she was actually expressing interest in being a part of things. I'm not sure how long it tool for him to stop laughing. He sent me to talk to the AP and counselor about it. That's when I found out they were trying her out on a shorter day to see how she did. He said it would be at least a week before she would be able to come back, at the soonest. He gave me the contact info for the woman who was working with her over at central administration. So I called her and said, "I want her back in my class." I found out this girl thinks no one wants her. We're going to see how Tuesday goes when the students return and see what she thinks. I asked her to let the girl know that I want her in my class and specifically requested to have her there. She has so much more creativity than she gives herself credit for. And she's a born leader. One of those people that if we can reach will probably go out and change the world. We just need to reach her.