V is for the Verge

A student approached me nearly in tears ahead of his second interview for the personal profile piece he is working on. He is conscientious but lacks confidence, and the student he was assigned to interview was not being very forthcoming about her dancing. Seeing how upset he was, I walked over with him and began chatting her up myself, asking whether she would like to pursue a career as a dancer and if so, what sort? they both relaxed then, and he eagerly took over the interview as I stepped back.

I took the opportunity then to look over the class as they sat in pairs earnestly working to gather the information they needed to write this last assignment. The energy was subdued but unsettled. Which was hardly surprising for the Friday before Memorial day with just three more weeks of school left.

I circulated, nodding and offering encouragement or a brief follow-up question, focused more on holding everything together than anything else. At last, the bell rang, and they piled out in a jumble, off to their next classes.

I took a breath and prepared for the next group, already rumbling in the hallway outside my door. "C'mon in!" 

Life Lesson: In the middle of a hard rain, a slow boat, or a fast train, I am gonna keep my head on straight. I'm gonna keep my head on straight. Steady on! ~Shawn Colvin "Steady On"