This week, I’ve noticed my buddy Chris seemed a little more quiet and sensitive than usual. He’s a gentle and shy boy, but something was up. After a few days of asking him if anything was wrong (his reply, “No, I’m fine”) I figured I’d do something.
“Chris, how would you like me to be your lunch buddy today?” I whispered to him while he was working this morning.
He just looked at me. What was a lunch buddy? I knew that’s what he was thinking. Isn’t if funny how you learn to figure out what the real hushed ones are thinking from just a look?
“I’d like to come with you to lunch and eat with you… would you like that?” I asked.
He began to nod and I saw the glimmer of a grin. I haven’t seen that smile in some time.
When I announced to the class I would be joining Chris for lunch in the cafeteria he appeared to be on top of the world.
I stood with him in line, helped him with his mustard packet, cleaned the mustard off his sleeve from helping him with it, and basically let him know, I’m your teacher… you may not be able to verbalize something is wrong, but I know… I care… and I’m going to try and help you anyway I can.
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3 comments:
This is a great way to make a positive impact in a student's life. What are some other ways that a teacher can tell or show a student they care without just saying it? These things may seem little, but they mean soo much.
Aww so sweet!
I worked with older kids (well, 5th grade), and I was only there one period a day, so I tried to connect with them any way possible. There were 32 of them in my classroom, so that made it that much more difficult.
They were working on a huge project for me for the majority of the quarter. When they were done, I graded all of their projects (of course), but I did it by hand, and I made TONS of comments. It seriously took me 2 hours to get through 10 projects. It wasn't anything too big, but I think that by showing the students that I appreciated their work, commented on their strengths, and pointed out little things I was impressed with in every project, it made them feel a little more like I cared about their individual growth.
this made me tear up. I hope when my child gets to school, she has teachers like you.
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