(1)
"Theo, how was the field trip yesterday?
"It was awesome! Have you ever seen the penguins at the aquarium?"
"No, are they cool?"
"I love them, when I get out of childhood I am going to get one as a pet."
(2)
"Here Bailey, would you like a Mike and Ike's"
"What is that?"
"Just a candy. They are good. Try one"
"...mmm. It is like a Party in my mouth"
Isn't it the best when out of nowhere you are blind sided by the sweet verbal goodness from these little guys. It never ceases to put a giant smile on my face. Unfortunately, not every quote we get from children are as funny as Theo and Bailey's were. The other day I had a student, we'll call her "G", come up to me and ask if she could tell me something. Naturally I said of course. She pulled me down to her level and gave me a giant little person hug. The following took place:
ReplyDelete"Mr. Munro, I love you!", said G.
"Well, I love you too G", I said.
"Wanna know why?", she said.
"Of course I do!", I said excitedly.
"Because you are the only teacher who has ever loved me!", she finished.
I literally didn't know what to say to her. I got up, had to walk out of the room and regain my composure. While I was certainly glad I provided that love she so desperately needed, it crushed me to think of the damage and pain she must have experienced for those two years before she was placed with me. I saw her mother not too long after and told her what had happened. Her mother started crying hysterically with joy because she was so afraid her daughter would never experience happiness at school. So simply said, educators have a far greater impact on their students then simply recess and grades. Be mindful of your student's needs, as you just might be the saving grace for that student/family.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteAs I have read through your blog, you mentioned that one of your aims is to provide some inspiration. I think the positivity (if that is a word) and sunshine that emits from your posts really does that! I love reading about your stories and I love that it helps to remind me of similar experiences I have had the opportunity to have, even though I am not special ed and I am at the high school level. It may happen a little less because my kids are a little too cool for stuff like that, but there still little glimmers each week that let me know that I am making a difference, and that's all that counts.