Today was great during second block. I knew on Tuesday (via the principal) that this girl's father was coming back after a ten-month deployment. The girl knew nothing about it. He was to come into the class at about 1000 hours to reunite with her.

What I told the students was someone from central office and the principal was coming to the classroom today. I gave them no additional information. The district photographer showed up at about 0950 and asked if he could come in to take some photos. "Of course" I said. I knew what it was all about. Then, about 0958, a coach from the middle school came in (pre-planned) as asked if she could talk to one of the students in the class (I arranged with the student without revealing anything to do this). A couple minutes later here comes the principal, and he asked if a couple visitors could come into the class. At this point the students had zero idea of what was about to go down.

The principal asked if a couple more visitors could come in. Of course I said yes. I had changed the girls seat for the day to near the front of the class near the door.

Her father walked. A super stunned look came across her face then the tears and she went to her father for a hug. After a couple minutes she asked to go to the head (my students have to call it that or they can't go!).

When she came back after another embrace, she started to sit down. I said, "Wait a minute, you can't sit back down yet. Get back up here." After a brief talk I informed her that she had the highest-class average and I was giving her a certificate for this. Then I gave her a medal for her achievement. It was almost too much for her to handle all in one day, I think.

Her mother asked her if she wanted to leave or stay at school the rest of the day. Without hesitation said, "I want to stay." The mothers remark was, I guess that's why you have the highest-class average!

What a great day it was. I thought it might get played on the news like they do for some of these reunions of kids with their military families but I didn't see it or I would post the link. Then you could really see the inside of my classroom!

The active duty service member is home for the holidays! What more could you ask for when you are still on active duty?