“We are driven by the notion that we might just make a
difference in the lives of a handful of kids over the course of our careers.
And the best part of our gig is that each new
day is FILLED with moments that have the potential to be
powerful.”
This reminded me of things that I would do for students but have
forgotten about it until years later, a former student reminded me of something
that I did. At the time, I didn’t think it was anything major and even at the
time wondered if the students cared. Now when I hear about it, I’m glad to know
that it mattered. I may not have known about it at the time but it obviously
mattered to some of the students.
Every high school teacher had a homeroom and usually these
students were not in any of my special ed classrooms. I would see them for
about 10 minutes every day. I was also the first person to see their report
card before they saw them. On report card day, I would get to school about 30
minutes earlier and add a post-it note on each report card. I would write a
positive comment to those who did really well and encourage others who were
struggling. I didn’t judge or blame anyone for their low grades but tried to
show that I cared about them and hoped that they would work hard to improve
their grade next time. When I saw improvement, I would comment how their hard
work was paying off.
Sometimes my students had working parents who just didn’t have
enough time to say the right words that my students needed. I hoped that my
small comments would show them that I cared. I watched their faces as they got
their report cards and some smiled when they read my comments and others didn’t
make any kind of acknowledgement. It was just knowing that I tried that was
important to me.
Years later, I came across a former homeroom student at the
store. He mentioned to me that he remembered I would take the time to comment
on his report cards and it was my encouragement that helped him keep on trying.
He wasn’t an A student but knowing that I would see his grades and be
disappointed if they dropped was enough incentive to keep him from failing. He
said he was really proud when I noticed that he made improvements. I have to
confess that I don’t really remember this student but I’m glad he remembered
me.
Sometimes it isn’t the big gestures that are remembered. It isn’t
the big gestures that always make a difference. And sometimes we may never know
the impact the little gestures make but I know it is worth the time to make
them.
What small things do you do that you hope make an impact? Please
share.
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