My son has a favorite teacher. His 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Miss P. Actually, my whole family loves this woman. She makes such an impact in his life.
STILL.
She is one of those teachers that makes teaching great.
She chose to leave an “easy” job in one of the wealthiest areas of our state to teach in the inner city. Where every kid needs her, every day.
The begining of the summer the 14 yr old and I had lunch with her and she told us about her kids. She told us how 5th grade graduation is celebrated like the prom. These kids go all out, snazzy dresses and 3 piece suits.
Why? I asked.
Because, their parents know most of them won’t see another graduation. 5th grade.
FIFTH GRADE.
They will have babies, they will go to jail, they will join a gang and just drop out.
She told us that the school security guard won’t chase people off the property who break into the dumpster, it is that dangerous.
Yet, she is down there, every day.
She has had security escorts to her car because she made one of the parents angry.
She has had threats, more than once.
Yet, she is down there, every day.
She also is one of the most loved and most requested teachers in that school.
She is one of those teachers that makes teaching great.
So, we are having lunch and she was telling us stories about these kids and my heart was breaking.
And my 14 yr old, he wants to do something about it.
He wants to help.
So, help, he did.
Before school started he (and I) took a trunk load of school supplies to her classroom.
Here is the email I got after the first day of school (names have been changed)
OH MY….I know that I can’t even put into words what a difference you made at school today!!!
Unbelievable…But I have to try and share…
Scenerio:
Most kids are walking into their new classroom with backpacks, supplies, chatter etc. “Where’s my desk? Where do I put my things?…Where are my friends?”
In walks T…’Mean-muggin” all the way. His face is angry…his arms are folded…he won’t speak and slouches into his chair. “I hate being here…I hate this…I hate life in general…I hate you.” That’s the body language says….and I’m reading the same thing on a quite a few of my new ‘crew’.
Of course, one of the first things we do is find out how to ‘organize’ and put our supplies in the right places. Make our space our own…T is hating all of this. He has a folder he borrowed from someone and a notebook on top of his desk…just so it doesn’t look like he has nothing…nothing…
Mean-muggin’ bad time…shooting daggers to kill…
I continue, as you know I do so well….but I introduce our “New” Supply Store!! I continue to tell them that I know they have supplies on the way, but I want to make sure everyone has everything they need on the FIRST day…so…(my hope-to-be brilliant idea) we have an IOU system at our store…
Pause — the IOU system…I tell them that I don’t give things away for free (which is what many of them expect). I told them that they may borrow from the store and earn the right to own. However, earning isn’t in $$$ value. They checked out at the store with their name and what they were ‘borrowing’ and I would let them know the plan to ‘own’. — This is a great incentive throughout the first month(s)…responsible behavior, errands, kindness, ’special’ jobs, playing with someone that they don’t know…etc. Each time I see these positive behaviors they privately ‘earn’ one of their supplies.
If they do bring in supplies throughout the week(s) they may trade or donate to the “store”.
Back to T…this boy’s attitude made a 180 degree change in 30 min. All of the sudden, he was happy — talking to kids in his table group (team)…and loving his first day at school. Writing labels and his name on folders, notebooks, brand new school supplies. He was no longer….different, unprepared and ‘without’….
16….yes 16 of my 28 students shopped at the “supply store” today. That’s 16 lives impacted today.
My eyes are teary just remembering.
I am still an ‘academic’/grade teacher, but I have ,over the years ,begun to think of myself as a teacher of not only content — but resilience. There are so many aspects of these kids’ lives they can’t control….and I have to teach them to not use their environment as an excuse — but use strategies to become resilient and overcome their circumstances with choices they CAN control. This is my mission — and often times, battle.
Something as simple as the “Supply Store” (although I know you had to sacrifice to donate $$$ — that was not simple) made such a huge impact in my students’ lives toward building resiliency. The first step on the First day — be comfortable in the environment where you will learn and want to learn.
Be (and feel) prepared.
I know I may be rambling…I’m just so greatful for what you did. I wish you could have seen their faces…and the ease and stress of ‘not having’ disappear. It was beautiful.
And BTW…T walked by me after he labeled all his supplies (like he was going to the garbage can) and said quietly, “Thank you Miz P…” That’s it, right there —
Please share this story with “the 14 yr old”. I want him to know how his compassion has impacted the lives of many young 4th graders in my school. So far….far away.
Maybe make HIM think forward…:-)
I did share that story with my 14 yr old and he wants to do more. I am so proud of my kid and the compassion he does have. It makes my heart swell with pride. I know when I was his age, it never would have occurred to me that something so simple as spending a few dollars on supplies (when they are so cheap before school) could make such a difference in lives.
Next year we are going to try to do more…maybe get enough for her supply closet to expand down the hall-or throughout the school.
I was at Target tonight and I noticed that they still have supplies really cheap and they are starting to put the more expensive items on clearance. Maybe there is a teacher in your area that could use a few packs of pens, paper and glue-maybe it is in your own school.
Or maybe it is just offering a bit of service to a teacher who has changed your kids life.