Every teacher has one. One of those kids. Who am I kidding? I probably have about 30 of them.
This one is a little girl and for some reason this year she’s trying everything to get attention. Weird noises, rude comments, lack of participation… It doesn’t seem to matter to her whether it’s positive or negative.
So on picture day (yes, ANOTHER picture day story), I was complimenting her class on how nice they looked and she blurted out, “You look ugly.” (Yeah, seriously. Twice in one day. Did I mention I’ve started doing my hair different since then?) To be truthful, it actually doesn’t hurt my feelings. Being bald and scarred will do that to a girl. I did mention it to her teacher though and he set some things in motion that gave me a wonderful gift.
He called the little girl on her behavior and had her send a letter home to her parents that needed to be signed. And she came and apologized to me. (This wasn’t the gift part. Though it’s a good reminder that we need to hold all kids accountable for their actions.)
Here’s where it gets good. When you only see students every third day for 40 minutes, it is sometimes hard to really get to know a kid and where they’re coming from. In that little 5 minutes I had with her, we talked about why she said what she said. “I was trying to be funny.” she mumbled.
Now I’m all about the funny. Once, when I came back from an absence, one of my students ran up to me and said, “Thank goodness you’re back! We didn’t laugh once yesterday!”
So the little girl and I talked about being funny but not at someone’s expense. And I gave her a hug and she went back to class.
So here’s the gift part.
When she came to music, she sat right down next to me and sang the whole class period. To be honest, I didn’t even know she knew the songs. And out of the mouth of one of “those” kids, was a very sweet little voice. On task, the entire class period.
Now, I can guarantee you she’s going to act out again. It’s part of who she is and the life she deals with every day. But now, when she does, I have this memory.Â
Of the day she sang.Â
 And the day where she really loved music.
7 responses to “The gift.”
Laurie
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:33
This is one of my favourite posts of yours. Possibly one of my favourite blog posts ever.
throwslikeagirl74
October 2nd, 2010 at 14:39
Thanks, Laurie. making me blush. 🙂 N Bloggity Blog Blog
Throws Like A Girl
sophanne
October 2nd, 2010 at 18:13
yes oh yes.
I’ve got “one of those kids” who decided he was going to play trumpet this year. (I teach band to the 5th graders as well) I was so mad- as in “oh great kid, now you’re going to ruin this for other kids too.” until I saw the smile on his face when he had the trumpet in his hand the first time and realized- this just might work.
Helen
October 3rd, 2010 at 21:05
What a great story!
And how lucky that child is to have someone to sit with her and explain to her the difference between being funny, and being funny at the expense of someone else!
Thanks so much for sharing that one!
Heidi Juran
October 5th, 2010 at 06:13
I totally agree with Laurie’s response. Your statements and story make me realize once again why I love and respect you so much. Nicole, you are “one in a million” and I feel so blessed knowing you, having taught with you, and having experienced your sense of humor, decication to kids, and love for humankind. Keep writing and sharing. You are one special lady. God Bless You!!!
Mellifluous
October 5th, 2010 at 09:06
I was volunteering in Trina’s class a couple of weeks ago and ended up with one of those kids. When I talked to her teacher, and the girl realized that she couldn’t get away with it, she changed. She found me when I’d drop Trina off to say how she was excited to read with me again. And we had a good time. So, I hope that you see even more of those good days with her…and just being held accountable really changes things for her. 🙂
AmyW
October 16th, 2010 at 07:52
I’ve taught for 16 years and I’ve learned to treasure those gifts. Some day in the future, you’ll get another gift. You’ll cross paths with this little girl. She’ll remember your name and her face will light up with genuine pleasure when she sees you. It will be just enough to keep you going back into that classroom for another round. I love those moments.