Kids bouncing in their seats, getting up to sharpen pencils and rocking back and forth are only a few of the things going on in a classroom during my independent work time. This coupled with the triumphant fist pumps of the lightening fast kids buzzing along through the assignment, seemingly with ease as I struggle to even get started has me near frozen in my seat and my focus everywhere but on my assignment. I know I can do it but I’m so worried now that I’ll be the last one done and I’ll look stupid I consider just starting to push buttons so I’ll finish close to when everyone else does.
My teacher crouches down next to me and says she’s noticed I seem a little nervous and offers the option of working in my own private space. I leap at the chance and in a quick minute I’m in my own little world, everything else cleared out of view. I put my headphones on and get to work. I work the whole time and quickly get my assignment done after doing my very best work. My score comes in and I’m proud of how I have done on my assignment and confident it will show the teacher really what I know.
I was able to breath. I was able to concentrate. I wasn’t worried about any of the other kids, when they finished or what they would think of me based on how long I took on the assignment. Inside the space I feel safe. I feel calm and unrushed.
