Conversation #1:
Me: You remember how to do this. You use your fingers to partner up the number to see if it's even or odd.
Little One with Autism: I know it's in my head somewhere, but I can't find it.
Me: I know the feeling.
Little One: Can you help me find it?
Me: Sure. Let me show you on your hand.
Little One: My hand will help my brain find the answer?
Me: Yep, I think so.
Little One: Oh good.
Conversation #2:
Mother of a Little One: How's my daughter doing? Is there anything else we should work on at home?Me: She's doing great. She's reading well and doing well in math and writing. And she seemed really happy to return to school yesterday.
Mother: Oh yes, she was very happy. After three days of vacation she said 'Mommy, it's time for me to go back to school because I can't remember the sound of my teacher and I don't want to forget her."
And then my heart melted into a huge puddle.
Conversation #3:
Little One: "Mrs. McCauley, I found my happy place."Me: "I didn't know you'd lost it. Where did you find it?"
Little One: "It was in the box of pastels."
Me: "Wow! Then I guess it's a good thing we're doing art today."
Little One: "I think I have art in my heart."
Me: I'm sure of it.
Conversation #4:
Little One: "Martin Luther King, Jr. was really brave. It took a lot of courage for him to talk to all of those people about his dreams."Me: "I agree."
Little One: "Especially since not everyone agreed with him."
Me: "Especially. I bet you can be courageous like him, too."
Little One: "Maybe now I can."
Me: "Why now?"
Little One: "Because you put his words in my head and I have his big dreams in my heart."
Sometimes being a teacher is staggeringly beautiful. And in case you need his words in your head and big dreams in your heart, here's Martin Luther King, Jr. himself. I get chills every time I hear this speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs
What beautiful words! This is truth, right here :)
ReplyDeleteI think Mrs. McCauley has art in her heart. Living vicariously through your stories of your little ones brings me to my happy place.
ReplyDeleteThis is so touching...and I haven't even viewed the video yet .
I also get chills each time I hear the speech.
Out of the mouths of babes. They've really latched onto Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." It's a beautiful thing to see them intentionally trying to navigate their disagreements with each other in loving ways.
ReplyDeleteHey, Hipster, at Back to School night I tell parents that I have a Bachelor's of Arts in Liberal Arts. The fact that 'art' is listed twice in my degree is a good reminder that teaching is an art form. So, you're right, I've got art in my heart for sure!
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