I See You

Thanksgiving - a time to reflect. A time to give thanks to those who have helped us. A time to look forward to what is to come. I am so thankful every day that I get to teach. I am so lucky to work with my colleagues and students. On Friday, we watched the following video in class. This video was created by my colleagues last year, but I had never taken the time to show it. My students needed to see it because they need to know how important they are.

After watching this video, I gave my classes time to write a thank you to a teacher, any teacher, that has taught them - past or present. Most students grabbed a handful of paper and started writing without hesitation. Well, except for one. One of my amazing students struggled with this assignment. This student has never felt like she could turn to a teacher for help on an assignment or because she was being bullied. She was alone. She is alone at school each day. This realization makes my heart hurt.

This student left my classroom in tears. I followed her out of my room.  I hugged her.  I wiped her hair out of her face.  I held her hand.  I got down on my knees to talk to her so that I could see her face. My intention with this assignment was good. My intention with this assignment was to give students time to reflect.  And foolishly, I assumed that all students had at least one teacher to thank.  

After a few days of running this through my mind, I think that more than anything we have students who just want to be seen. They want to be important to just one person. They want others to see them for who they are - not how they learn or how they act. This student is kind. This student knows she wants to be successful in life. This student is polite and respectful. This student has read a book for the first time in years - and she was proud of herself. But you see, this student does not fit into the typical student box.  And for this, she punishes herself. This difference should be celebrated. She should be celebrated. Friday changed me.

Which students need you to see them, to notice them? This week, take the time to write a note, send an email, or even help them one-on-one with an assignment.  Take time to start the conversation - to really see the person that is in front of you. I look forward to seeing this student each day, but I never told her that. Thank goodness I did not miss that opportunity on Friday. She has been overlooked by countless teachers and adults - and even if this is not the case, this is how she feels. I hope she believed me when I said, "I see you." I will forever be changed because of her. I will work everyday this year to make sure I see her. 

When You Think of Kindness, Please Think of Me

Well, the election is over.  I don't know how I feel about.  I didn't know how I truly felt about each candidate prior to the election, but I did do my research and tried to vote the best way I could.  I also didn't like talking about the upcoming election with others, and I wasn't sure why.  But now I know.

Hate. The answer is hate. The hatred I see coming from so many Americans truly scares me.  No side, Democratic or Republican, is immune.  I am scared that the "gray area" of understanding is shrinking.  I am scared that people are no longer listening to understand; they are listening to respond and argue (I am guilty of this at times myself).  And even if I disagree with someone, by listening to that person and trying to understand his or her side, I gain support for my own beliefs. By listening to them I might even gain new insight and understanding about his or her life experience. This understanding leads to empathy and compassion. No doubt we, as a country, need more of this.

Today as I started class first hour, students were arguing about late-term abortion.  I am not going to sway their opinions, nor is it my place to do so.  But it is my place to make them think.  I asked them, "What traits do you want to be associated with when others think of you? Kindness, empathy, compassion, understanding? Are your actions reflecting those traits?" As adults, parents, spouses, teachers, friends, we all have choices today, as do my freshmen students.  We have the choice to listen to others.  We have the choice to respect our differences.  We have the choice to walk away to avoid acting out of anger or malice. We have the choice. No one but me can choose what I do with my actions.  No one but you can choose what you do with your actions. So, choose wisely.

When you think of kindness, please think of me. I pray my actions reflect it. I pray my students see it each day. I pray it is the "tomorrow" I am working each day to create.