A story about how small actions can have a big impact
Today I was short of pencils so I asked all the students to put all their pencils on the table. One boy asked me if he could keep the pencils his mother had given him. Of course I agreed. He then said: "Well, I think I can give you some of the pencils anyway, so that my classmates can use them too." At first, I didn't know what else to think, so I took the pencils from him and started sharpening them. At that moment, I noticed that there was something written on them. I realized that the boy's mother had found the time to write on her son's pencils. I asked if she would mind showing me the other pens and my heart melted:
You are so talented.
It's going to be a great year.
You are creative.
You are exceptional.
Never give up.
You can do it.
You are aware.
You're a wizard at maths.
You are intelligent.
I am proud of you every day.
I love you.
You are a brilliant mind.
You're great.
You're a problem solver.
Follow your dreams.
You are perfect.
I am proud of you.
You change the world.
You are incomparable.
You are the best.
You matter.
It probably only took her a few minutes, but the boy was affected for the whole school day. The child did not feel the slightest embarrassment about his mother's writings. Thanks to his mother, he reminded himself of his own worth every day and wanted to share this feeling with his classmates. This is the kind of thing that both parents and teachers should remind their children of every day. Imagine the look on that little rascal's face when you have told him that he is important, talented, loved, knowledgeable, and all the good things and more. Help them to know that someone believes in them and is proud of every achievement. Even if you think this behaviour is cheesy and naughty, or you don't have enough time, or you don't think it's effective, remember that you may be the only one who ever reminds this (these) child(ren) of what every child needs to know - their worth. This is why I teach.
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