It was a long week last week. So long that I was in bed Friday night rather than eating s'mores with my friends as originally planned. For the second day in a row I had been gifted with these nuts (or are they seeds?). It was a very theatrical presentation too, as my class clown pulled each one out of his pocket and counted dramatically. Other students who had helped him joined in on my laughter. Another student who I don't teach stopped me on the hall to make sure I got them and that I know he helped. Eventually I get the question, "Miss what are we going to do with them?" Friday night I looked at them and I saw potential. These nuts had the potential to be trees before they were deshelled. My students have potential, but life has often striped away their willingness to take the risks that are required to realize that potential. It is my job to restore their ability to access their potential. Hopefully it will restore more than just their desire to learn.