Digging into the past

Most on here know that I'm a teacher. I'm going into my 13th year as soon as I return to the classroom. In this time, I have learned that I need to get to know my students in order to love them and teach them in the way that works best for them. Some students I already know from seeing them the year before across the hall, but when mid year rolls around and you get a new student, you never know what you are going to get.

Usually a few days after that new student arrives, his/her file will arrive. I purposely do not look at that file until I have had a chance to get to know that student. Once I feel like I know them or have formed my own opinions, I will then go get the file to see what issues and grades that student had at another school to see if my thoughts are the same. Or sometimes, when a student switches schools, it's a chance for a new start. Maybe that child had a rough time at another school and wants to start fresh. If I read that file, I may have preconceived notions and treat the child as such. Generally, I can tell in the first few days what my new student is bringing to the table.

So why do I even bring this up? Well today I did it: I sent a request to Half the Sky to see if they have any information on Tyson. Up until now, I have based my beliefs on measurements, finding ad, referral information, photos, and updates. I have about 13 pages of Chinese writing about my little man, but I have not been at a place to want to know what's on those pages. Until now...

I am wondering if they will have the same pages that I have, but translated. That would be fantastic! Anything translated would be fantastic. I just feel that now I know Tyson well enough that I'd like to see if my assessments of his past are correct. I also want to know for him, obviously.

So, let's see what digging into the past will have. I will probably keep most of it private for Tyson's sake, but we'll have to see if there's anything in there that could help others as well.