They were all rockstars.

After a tough week where the students were younger than planned for and the counselors were all new and uncomfortable, I feel as if all of the stars have aligned and the magic we perform here at outdoor school has multiplied tenfold.

Of course, let me start by saying that watching counselors make improvements last week was both satisfying, eyeopening, and educational for me.  I started the week by watching three counselors stumble over the word deciduous.  By the end of the week we were covering all of the information possible and keeping the kids engaged, for the most part.  Counselors were young, and I trust if they came back in a year, they would be much more smooth.  The basic results of the week were an exhausted head, a warm heart and a deep hope for a week that made a little more sense and proved to me why this whole system will make a difference.

Now, this week looks to be exactly what I hoped for.  Our students are bright and about 90% polite.  The counselors that I have for my field study are all friendly, enthusiastic and mature.  For many of them, it's their first time.  For all of them, they are already catching the attention of these wily sixth graders and getting them excited to learn about "dirt, buggies and green stuff" in the cold windy coastal forest.  I can't work magic, as I proved last week, but I think I'm getting the hang of motivation and quick teaching methods.  This week, with the right bunch of students who can contribute their bright personalities, we are working magic together and it feels amazing.