My reading group is exceptional. They change every quarter, but right now, I'm having the best one yet. My students are all reading at a 3.1 level, which is third grade, first semester and are finishing up the 3rd and 4th grade this year. They know that they are behind, but they are SO focused on moving up that I haven't had to discipline AT ALL. It's amazing. If you entered my reading group right this second, you may think that you have just entered a sanctuary for mute children.

The only thing you can hear right now (they are taking a test on Freckle Juice) is pencils moving, kids reading to themselves, and the hum of my generator. On days like this, I know that my decision to live out here was one of the best decisions of my life. I remember how disappointed I was after I didn't get my first five TFA placement locations, but as some country singer's sing, sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.

The lives of my students are so different from the life that I had growing up--there is a lot more sadness, a lot less money, more difficult home situations than I could even start to mention. The resiliance and tenacity that each of my 9-year-olds possess makes me feel like they know more about life than I do. Well, at least until I quiz them with their math facts.

There are twenty-one school days left. I'm going to miss them.