Proud Teacher

I wanted to share a story with you about a student of mine who reminded me why I am a teacher and why I am glad it only took being in two jobs before finding a career that I hope to have the privilege of retiring from. I met Brandon 4 years ago at my first teaching assignment at The Fountain Square Academy. Brandon was a smart, quiet child who was not motivated to come to school, often talked about dropping out to get a job so he could support his newborn child and the 15 year old mother. . He should have been a high school drop out, he should have been another statistic, but he wasn’t.  It took a lot of work to convince him should use the talents he was born with and finish high school and he finished near the top of his class and took the ASVAB (getting the highest score possible) and joined the Marine Corp. He is now 19 years old and in his second year as a Marine. Here is the message I received in my email today:

Subject: Brandon Hargrave from Indianapolis, IN just gave to your project

Patrick, Horray! Brandon Hargrave from Indianapolis, IN just gave to Flip My Class! - Using Technology to Extend the Learning Day and wrote: "I gave because Mr. Gentry is a fantastic teacher and I rather enjoyed his class when I went to Fountain Square Academy. My favorite project we had the pleasure to take part in was only possible because of this website, and I felt that his new students should have an opportunity to do something as fun as our speaker project." P.S. If you know the donor, thank your friend on Facebook using the @ symbol. Ex. "Thank you @Brandon Hargrave from Indianapolis, IN for supporting my classroom project! http://www.donorschoose.org/mr.gentry" (?)