I was writing my last blog post while I was at school. During related arts classes for the past 2 days, my classes have been to their sex ed classes for the year. So I've just had to sit and supervise while the ladies from On Point talk to them. They show them pictures of the sores of infected body parts, speak of the emotional damages of having sex before you're ready, and preach that condoms provide safer sex but the only safe sex is abstinence until marriage. One thing I have noticed that sex ed is a lot more graphic and disgusting than I remember from school. Maybe because I'm from a smaller town. Maybe because there are diseases around now. I don't know. But it has given me a new appreciation for how lucky I am. I am so glad I waited until (almost) marriage to be sexually active. I am so glad that I am married. I am so grateful I have a wonderful husband. I so hope that these girls make at least as good as the decisions that I made. I really hope they make better decisions than I made. I hope they are all as lucky as I have been and can achieve all their goals and dreams.
The last time I was in this school was when I was student teaching. Back then, one of my 7th-graders was pregnant. All the kids were wild and several were headed down bad roads. These days East Lake is a much different place. Their principal is amazing. The kids are so much better behaved. I am seeing more discipline, more respect, better work ethic & calmer atmosphere. I love the transformation that has happened in the East Lake community. Maybe this generation is the one that will turn it around. During sex ed, one girl was so embarrassed to be in this class that when she'd ask a question, she'd say "hex" instead of "sex" (hence, our title of this blog post). A total 180 from the 8th grade of 5 years ago that already had teen pregnancy drop-outs and would come into the classroom and walk down the hallway "dropping it like it's hot".
Some things that I am sure of:
~These ladies & gentlemen are capable of so much!
~If they stay on the road that they are on now, the youth of East Lake are going to rule the world (in a great and amazing way)!
~I am teaching the future doctors, lawyers, businesspersons, designers, professionals of Chattanooga.
~The youth of East Lake are going to teach us all some amazing things very soon.
They may be still be the East Lake Wildcats, but I am happy this time to see mighty panthers, glorious lions, graceful jaguars, instead a bunch of hyenas.
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