I saw her name on my class list. It was one of "those" names. All teachers knew the family and the background. I remembered her mom in seventh grade.I watched her in the halls during freshman open house as she wandered without friends from room to room, accompanied only by her step-father, himself from one of "those" families. Fearful, she figured out where she needed to go each hour. What a contrast to most of the other kids who laughed and greeted friends as they danced from room to room.
I greeted the two of them as they stepped into my room. A dirty face, unkept hair, clothes that had seen their better days, it was hard to imagine she was a freshman girl. The only words she spoke were, "I'm scared to come here."
My heart broke. Tears filled my eyes.
Let it be me. Let me be the teacher that makes school a safe place for her. Let me be the teacher she connects with. Let me be the teacher that makes a difference in her life.
Let it be me.
Wow. Tears in my eyes. Let it be YOU! One child at a time.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, my eyes are welling with tears. I have had that student...the one that holds your heart because all you want is for your room to be safe place where they are happy. I have no doubt that you will be the one that reaches her.
ReplyDeleteOh Deb. It will be you, and she will feel safe in your classroom. My heart swells for both of you.
ReplyDeleteShe does not yet know that she has a safe haven. You will be such a blessing to her. Thank you for being there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, Deb. I know you'll be there for her & others, too.
ReplyDeleteShe had a good day today. She is in my last class of the day, so I talked to her as she went to her locker. I asked if it was as scary as she thought. She shyly smiled and told me no. After class seems like it will be a good time to connect.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It brought tears to my eyes. You will be the one, Deb, I know it. My heart breaks for the young girl, but I feel better knowing that she has you there.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you can help her and be "the One"
ReplyDeleteI've heard of districts where every teacher picks a student to focus on in order to make a difference in their lives. As a staff they make a list of kids they suspect don't have a connection to anyone and then see which staff member would be a natural connection.
ReplyDeleteYour words brought tears to my eyes.