Last updated on April 23, 2015
I am to the point where I almost avoid the news, try not to read too much. I have a morning ritual, read worldwide newspages that I like, but try to keep it short and sweet lately. There is only so much bad stuff I can take on a daily base.
Throughout the day, when I log into my computer, there are always news headlines, mostly who is dating whom and who is getting separated -again. I never pay attention to it, try to focus on my computer quest instead.
Today however, there was a headline that did get my attention and I clicked on it. An elementary teacher in Denver, CO asked her third graders to finish the sentence
“I wish my teacher knew….”
The answers, mostly given anonymously, are eye-opening.
What an assignment! May it be copied by a lot of teachers. Knowing is the beginning of understanding.
Very powerful concept. I think I could definitely take this to my workplace… I wish my manager/CEO knew….. Thanks so much for posting and sharing your personal experiences for the benefit of all who read it. What a wonderful blog you have here!
I hope this helped these kids.
This is a wonderful post Bridget. I have sent it onto a couple of teachers I know. thank you! 🙂
Some of these just break your heart, don’t they? The honesty of children. I wonder what the teacher did with the information. The little cards reminded me of the PostSecret project. I have one of the books and it’s fascinating how people will unburden themselves when they are given the opportunity to do so anonymously. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PostSecret
Yes, the kid who has nobody to play with touched my heart. I would play with him in a heartbeat.
I’m a high school teacher and I occasionally teach classes to other teachers. Today was a teacher class and most of us had seen a couple of those on fb. We were talking about that and while I hope that we are all cognizant of issues our students have, you can’t know everything. We made a group decision to ask our students this week (teachers in this class ranged from pre-k to high school) to tell us one thing they would like us to know. And this was prompted by the fb posts. Thanks for blogging this.
Your welcome. For me it’s not just about teaches, this assignment would be helpful everywhere. “I wish my neighbor knew…”, “I wish my boss knew…”. It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing more.
Good point.
What a smart and compassionate person to give such an assignment. I’ll be sharing this. Thnx.
It touched me deeply. What a difference one listening adult can make. Imagine we all would listen more.
I have a student who had a very bad start to his kindergarten year. Not until he was assigned a 35-ish male–as opposed to the retired female teacher who were too easily frustrated with him–did things change. That man’s compassion for that little boy changed everything.
You, like others, did understand why I am touched by this assignment. Imagine we would ask the same question at our workplaces and offices “I wish my boss would know…”, or even here in the blogging world “I wish my blogging friends would know…”. Loved your comment,
Growing up in an alcoholic home I understand what they go through. I was lucky to find many mentors in my life when I was a child. The fear I felt at home was overwhelming. Sometime I think about how my life might be different today if I didn’t have to go through what I did, but all you can do is the best you can.
I had a childhood before my Grandmother, one I don’t talk about very often. Both of my parents were alcoholics, the abusive type. One night I was in the crossfire, got hurt badly and my Grandmother stepped in. Then things changed and I had the best childhood a child can asked for. I will never forget how it was before, will never forget how I felt. Nobody knew, all happened behind closed doors. I liked what the teacher did, kids need someone that will listen when noone else does.
Absolutely
This pains me to read. As a first grade teacher I am well aware of many of the hardships my young students face in their home life. I always try to be a little extra sensitive and cut them some extra slack. There is one child in class who always looks “bedraggled”- her long curly hair in knots and hanging in her face, her clothes unkempt and mismatched. Today I could stand it no more and asked if I could pull her hair back into a ponytail so she could see her work better. She readily consented, and looked like a new person when I finished combing it out and putting it up. All in a days work.
Lisa you are good teacher…a very good one. Some professions ask for more than just talent, they are a calling. Being a good teacher is one of them. Take care of that little girl, you will make a difference. I never talked about my upbringing (before my Grandmother) ever. With nobody, I kept that hidden inside for the longest time until I started blogging. Any adult listening to a child can make a difference, a huge difference. You are a good teacher!
Thank you so much for saying so. I do try. I remember how hard it was for my stepdaughter when her parents divorced when she was 6. It carried a stigma back then and it was hard for her in school.
How true.
I love it….. And… by the way, I want to play with him or her https://nonsmokingladybug.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/ad_166194800.jpg?w=300&h=142
Much love. Aquileana 😀
Aquileana, how good to see/read you. That’s the post that touched me the most as well. I would play with that kid in a heartbeat..and not just once.
Just because they are young doesn’t mean they don’t have serious worries.
I know that, had my own worries when I was young, before Grandma took me in. I think the one not having anyone to play with touched me the most. It’s sad