She broke me down and melted my heart...

It was my first year teaching - so I was very green... I was eager, ready and willing to learn. I taught preschool to 4 year olds in an all day program (a challenge within itself!) An all day preschool program is a long day of learning for 4 year olds!!! Her name in this blog is "Red". She had fiery red hair and a temper and personality to match! She was my greatest challenge, the one who broke me in and made me fall in love with her. The first 2-3 months of school went off without a hitch with Red. She was loving, playful, and a typical four year old. She came from a poor family, had several siblings, and around Christmas time, things started to change.  She started acting out, biting children, breaking toys, scratching, kicking, and punching teachers - you name it, she did it.  I first contacted mom and she was disinterested in her behavior and claimed that she does that stuff at home too... She wasn't too concerned. After several attempts with the parent, I went to my director for help and guidance. She immediately helped me with an intervention plan and techniques to help with the tantrums and outbursts Red was having while at school.  Behind the scenes there was a lot going with the family and there were others involved helping them through some other problems... While Red was at school, we had our battles. One day would be awesome and I would think great, we are moving past this - and the next would be twice as bad. This on and off again behavior continued through the spring. After several very bad days and injuries to myself and other staff, we had a meeting about Red. I was asked if I felt like she should be dismissed from the program due to the ongoing behavior problems and dangers she presented in class.  After fantasizing for a minute about how less stressful teaching would be, I quickly responded NO! If I gave up on her now, how could she ever trust a teacher or caring adult again? What would kicking her out teacher her? It would place her 24-7 into the battle zone of a home she went to every night... With my whole heart, I couldn't let this little girl - this child be surrendered to more of what was going on in the home. So we kept consistent with our behavior plan. I still showed her love and compassion and never gave up on her when I was frustrated and angry. It was the last month of school and I started noticing a change in her. She seemed more calm. She greeted me everyday with a hug and a smile. Somehow - our battle had ended and she seemed to now trust and love me back. We had a great end to the school year and I got to see her advance to kindergarten. I no longer teach at the same school but 6 years later I still have a fondness a in my heart for the little girl that made me earn her trust and love. Now when I think back, I smile when I talk about her - she made it and I made it my first year. We didn't give up on each other!