I embarassed a student BIG TIME today

[Jennasis]

One of my students (my horseback riding students) is also on of my very best, most dedicated volunteer coach with my Special Olympic Equestrian team. She's 14 and a totally amazing kid. The head of our County's Sp. Olympic team decided it would great to give her an award in recognition for her years of hard work, effort and dedication. So she ordered a plaque and made arrangements with her school to present it to her today at the 8th grade end of year award ceremony. I planned to be there too. I was caught a bit off guard en route to the ceremony this morning when the head of the program said "oh, by the wya..YOU'll be presenting her with the award so start thinking about a speech" (and then launched into all the many flattering and true things she wanted me to say about the kid). I have no problem with public speaking, but I like a LITTLE time to prepare.

So we get to the ceremony and slip into the gymnasium in the back so the kid can't see us come in. The principal announces that the first award was from the Special Olympic Team and next thing I know I'm standing in front of the whole 8th grade with a microphone..alone...since my "oartner-in-crime" had abruptly run off to fetch tow of our athletes who also go to the school to help present.

So I start talking about the team and what we do (I'm the head coach for the team), and then start talking about how great "Sally" is and what an asset and how the team simply couldn't function without her. I see Sally sitting in the bleachers and she looked like she was wiping a tear from her eye (for all I know, she REALLY couldn't been scratching an itch) and I just started crying right there in front of everyone and GUSHING about how AWESOME she is and how we'd be lost with out her!

Luckily my cohort showed up before I embarassed myself and Sally any further and we handed her the award, hugged her and left. I was mortified! I can't believe I lost it like that!

I totally have to call her and apologize later...I'm such a weirdo.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

How sweet, it shows that you really care for her and all the help she's been giving.

 

[akhenaten]

don't be embarassed!! it is good for kids to see genuine emotions of gratitude and love!!!

they see so much anger expressed freely......they should see love and appreciation freely given more often!!!!!

 

[agnes!]

I wish my DD had an adult mentor or teacher at school who felt the way that *you* do about your student. (Of course I think DD's a spectacular kid, but it would be nice to have another adult give her public kudos or an occasional gushing compliment kwim?)
You might feel embarassed, but you have paid "Sally" a high compliment. You've given Sally your respect. When this girl faces tough times down the road, this incident will come to mind and she'll think "well, Jennassis thought I was a good/kind/smart/moral/loving/etc. person...I'll make it through my present cirumstances."

Never apologize for honest emotions. You've done nothing to apologize for.
agnes!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Aww, that's so nice. She will never forget your heartfelt words and emotion! How sweet. And, it sounds like maybe you were embarassed, but like akhenaten said, it is nice for kids to see genuine caring emotion, rather than negative emotion!

 

[Robinrs]

Awwww, that was sooooo sweet! To be moved to tears is so sincere and heartfelt! Wow!

I always say the GOOD teenagers never get any print. This child deserved that dedication... and good for you to give it to her!!!

 

[Jennasis]

Thanks guys...I feel better. I just get so choked up when commending my kiddos! I'd be lost without 'em.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

What a great story! You did a good job! I'm sure she was touched!

I was embarrassed by a teacher in 5th grade and every time I ran into the teacher - even into my 20's she remembered it!

I was being reprimanded by my math teacher - and I really can't remember what I had done - probably talking in class or something like that. Her name was Mrs. Massey - there was another student standing by her desk (a boy!) and she said to me - Missy, pull down your pants... of course I was in SHOCK! Looking at her - looking at "the boy" - looking at her... she figured out that she had mis-spoke - she MEANT - pull down your pants LEG - it was stuck in my sock!! At first I was thinking she was going to spank me for whatever minor infraction had happened in class! Yikes! It was funny later on!

 

[highland3]

I work with Special O kids on a fairly regular basis and it is soooo hard not to get emotional when you are speaking at an award ceremony or presenting medals at the games.

I've had to wipe a tear away a few times. ::cop:

 

[douglisa]

I would think it would have made the reward all the sweeter to hear an adult be moved to tears over her goodness!
I say GOOD JOB!