This first entry was to be about me - who I am, why I'm writing.  But as I started writing, the focus turned to the idea of Home.

I teach, and have primarily worked with, challenging populations, often called at-risk populations.

As I was writing about me, I recalled the moment that I realized many of my students don't have Home, as a warm, loving place or person, not just a physical location.

I was raised in a loving, stable home with friends and family who were there when needed.  I always knew I was loved and had many people with whom I could talk.  No matter where I was or what was going on, I could always go home - sometimes physically, sometimes mentally. Often I could just go home to my house and parents and family, or call them for support, advice, and love.  If I couldn't go home physically, I could go home in my imagination - memories of holidays, dinners, grandparents, numerous conversations of advice, stories, love.

Many of my students don't have that - life is not stable, there are few stories (few happy ones), there aren't great memories, no one to ask questions.  Even when there is love, there is a lot of chaos.

They don't have Home to go to - physically or mentally. 

Everyone needs Home.  

I realized my classroom needs to be that kind of space for them - a safe, stable place to be.  A place to regroup, ask questions, learn, hear stories, feel safe, make mistakes, vent.

I try to be fair, consistent, encouraging, listening.

Often I get it right.  Sometimes I don't.  

Their behaviors will tell me far more accurately than any words.

And I adjust and we adapt and we create our own version of Home for our short time together.