A Brand New Path

At work, one of the ways to start the new year resolution is to jot down the school values on the star cards. Hopefully what they wrote down will be something they'll put into action. Then, the cards will be decorated at the school compound.

Values have got to do with the role of moral power. And it's the fundamental cause of man's rise and decline...

I'd like to share a story...

Mrs. Graudins uses another intervention with students that I call "heart-to-heart talks.” During her heart-to-hearts with Kevin, she always makes certain he understands that she likes him very much -- even though she might not always like his behavior. She lets him know that her responses to his behavior are part of her job. It is her responsibility to make him a better student and help him learn. He might be angry about what she has to do, and he might even be angry at her for doing it, but she always takes time to remind him that she is not angry at him and that she cares about him. She tells him this even when he seems to be tuned out or is having a bad day.

From time to time, Graudins announces to Kevin, “I'm so glad you're in my class.” And she means it! Now I'm willing to bet that's something he's never heard before!

This is not to say that Kevin doesn't still test Mrs. Graudins by acting out occasionally, but he is learning that she does not give up on him. She holds high expectations for him, and she lets him know that she thinks he is capable of living up to those expectations.

Mrs. Graudins works on the premise that all children need and deserve physical affection too. She makes sure Kevin receives his share of shoulder-to-shoulder hugs, back and shoulder pats, and plenty of high-fives and smiles. In the beginning, Kevin seemed a bit uncomfortable with that kind of attention and would stiffen his body. Mrs. Graudins didn’t react to that rejection, however. She knew his reaction might be caused by pent-up anger. Perhaps he reacted that way because accepting such attention was counter to the “tough guy” image he attempted to put up. Or maybe he just didn’t know how to respond. But it wasn’t long before Kevin relaxed. Maybe other students’ responses to Mrs. Graudins’s physical attention modeled the appropriate behavior for Kevin. In any case, now Kevin even initiates high-fives!

One kind of this takes a lot of patience and a never-give-up attitude. But with a chunk of these in one class is sure a challenge. This is one story I want to learn from...

I've heard them said
I've heard them told me
They'll test you...
And whats nots...

I know...
I'm sure it's a big challenge
Emotionally, Physically, Mentally

Perhaps, this is another step
To be given a colourful group
The tough ones...
But at least I want to try
Who knows I might make a difference?

To reach out to them
Weaknesses, I do...
Hopefully, the strength, I have
To unleash their inner strengths..
To be able, change albeit a zarrah..

A spark to start with..
A motivation...
A morale booster...
Shaping hearts...

Seek to understand, then to be understood..
It's not just WHAT you teach, but WHO you teach...

May He help me and those in the same strife to do good and guard their souls against the vices... Bright future ahead of them, if they believe...