As I write this, this students may be working on the model.I don't know for sure, and I won't know until Saturday.
As far as I am involved, it is all up to them now. They are no longer meeting during class time, and even if they meet after school, I get out of the office much later than they get done class.The last thing I saw on Monday, was a bunch of buildings that needed to be placed, electrical connections that need tape and solder, and a group of very excited 8th graders that surprisingly were sad to see me go.
Monday was an unproductive day, honestly, but it is one that will live on in my mind for years to come. I had already conspired with the teacher, Mr. Raines, that I would bring in treats for the students. I wanted to thank them for letting me in to their class, their lives, and their future. These students will always hold a special place in my heart, as they were the first, and the standard for classes to come. I bought and or made some cookies (paying special attention to allergies) for the students and they went crazy for them.
The students were very excited, I mean who wasn't excited for cookies? But in all seriousness, the students gave me a hand signed card. That single act of appreciation is worth all of the time, effort, and energy that I put in, which looking back, was not much at all. It took all my might to not tear up when they gave it to me, and even now as I recall the moment, my eyes start to water.
The Future Cities mentoring program probably meant more to me than the students.
It gave me the ability to see why Bentley does what it does.
We don't design roads, bridges, and boats.
Bentley helps people everyday to get through life as effortlessly as possible. And provides for a future for students like this, because with out the programs we offer, how does this country continue to prosper.
Thank you to everyone and anyone who takes the time to read this.