Yesterday was my first full day in the 3/4 split classroom while the regular teacher is away. During math time, some of the students started talking about crushes and the boy who was being talked about shrugged it off but I could tell it was bothering the girl. I told the students to stop but the girl was covering her face while she was working on her math assignment. I went to check on her and told her that if she wanted to stay behind after lunch, we could talk more about it. She said “she didn’t like people talking about it” and that she was fine.
At lunch, she still seemed upset and wanted to sit away from everyone to have a break. I told her again that I was here and I’m sorry this was happening to her.
Later during reading time, she asked how to spell my name – I wrote it on the board and then she handed me this note.
Making this one girl have a better day is the reason that teaching is meaningful! If I hadn’t checked in and shut down the conversations, she might have gone feeling insecure about her crush and upset. You also never know how deep down feelings can go and crushes at this age (10 years old) can be very vulnerable. I am glad that I made a difference for her 🙂
Kudos to you for being sensitive to that situation! She obviously appreciated it. It could also make her more trusting and willing to engage with teachers in the future. As a teacher of 11th and 12th graders, I’ve certainly seen the effect that strained teacher-student relationships earlier on in school can have on students at the high school level. Keep up the great work supporting students academically and emotionally!
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Yes, that one interaction perhaps altered the trajectory of her experience onto a very different path!
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>I am glad that I made a difference for her<
That is what it is all about: Making a difference for someone. I love stories like this because you were in the right place at the right time for this girl. She'll remember that going forward, how you stopped to talk to her because you cared.
Thank you for sharing this today! 🙂
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Yes! That’s one of the moments when you feel “Oh I’m glad I’ve become a teacher!” 🙂
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Some of my favorite teachers were the ones that paid individual attention to me or friends in class (in a possitive way)… they are the ones that care. Good for you! ❤
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