It Is More Than What You See

 In day to day school life, we can't predict what is going to happen.  We all have our jobs and responsibilities each day, and a plan to execute our to-do list as best we can.  Along with our duties, there are the parts of each day we look forward to, as well.  I enjoy my time interacting with students during lunch periods.  Kids are relaxed while they eat and they often want to tell you a story, share their latest club idea, or challenge you to another arm wrestling match.

On a regular, normal day, we had an emergency this year.  As a school team, we came together to help a child.  Later, after time had passed, I was in the cafeteria with another grade level.  A teacher came to me, with three crying students.  They were concerned about the student that had the emergency, their friend.  I assured the students that their friend was going to be okay.  They wiped their tears and went back to class.

In the afternoon, I encountered several more students that were upset.  I talked briefly with each of them to try to console them, as their teacher had also done.  They were so worried and upset about their friend, who had the emergency.

I had never seen the level of concern from kids about a classmate as I did that day.  Their love for their friend was amazing.  This made me think hard about the work we do in schools.  We devote time to developing relationships with kids and building classrooms that are safe for all kids.  We teach kids to be kind and we hope that they will love each other and show compassion.  On this day, I was moved by the love the students showed for their friend.  Truly amazing.

In addition to the lunchroom emergency that day, we had a playground emergency, only a few weeks before.  Again, our team jumped in and reacted to a unpredictable situation without skipping a beat.  This situation required an ambulance ride for the student and myself, for precautionary measures.

Fast forward two months.  At the end of a parent meeting, the mom said, there's just one more thing.  I welcomed any further conversation.  The mom proceeded to tell me that she was waiting in the car pick up line during our recess emergency that day.  She added that she always likes to get in the line early, to secure a front spot, lol.  The mom went on to tell me how scared she was for the student, when she watched everything unfold and the ambulance arrive, a few months before.  Then she paused.  She said something I will never forget. "I realized I was crying, because I knew the child must have been scared.  But I also wouldn't want any other person watching over my child than you."

Every job probably has parts you don't see.  But in education, there are so many parts that we pour our hearts into, that no one sees.  Thank you to all of my educator friends for pouring your hearts into kids, even when people aren't looking.  You DO make a difference.