December 11,
At the end of a day like today I nearly wish my phone could read my thoughts and compose them into a well written document. If that were the case, I think I would be a pretty good blogger. So like Melissa said yesterday, excuse any grammatical errors as I invite you into my classroom and Wish World from my perspective. I've numbered it simply because it's not one long story but rather highlights of today. (Oh and my phone recognizes the importance of the word WISH - and automatically capitalizes it.) ❄️
#1 Today was a big day. We had one of our most prized wishes brewing and with that comes a lot of nervousness especially for those who worked tirelessly to make it happen. In this case, it was Melissa. However, since we work as a team when one of us gets hyped up over a wish the other one shares the feeling - good, bad, and otherwise. Today my biggest job was to make sure Melissa was breathing and that her class was covered when she had to switch hats from teacher to Wish granter. Good news: It unfolded perfectly!
#2 Outside of Wish world: I started my day noticing one of my former students in tears. He has a tough outer shell and puts off a tough guy attitude but I could see his heartache. I asked him if he needed someone on his side today and reminded him that my door would be open. Then, as I turned away, my eyes welled up with tears because I know that life can be harder for some than others. So by 8:20 am the roles reversed and Melissa reminded me to breathe and class began.
#3 I spent the morning asking kids about gift giving because one, we are in the gift giving season and two, we are preparing to read The Gift of the Magi. We discussed the difference between giving gifts we personally work hard to earn money for versus giving gifts that someone else gives us the money to purchase. For those of us that have experienced both, we agree that gifts we work and save for are much more personal and bring greater joy than those that come easily. We also spoke about things greater than material gifts and the difference in the abstract meaning of poverty and wealth. Middle school children understand that it isn't money that truly defines both terms.
#4 I'm switching gears again because a day in the life of a middle school teacher is just kind of that way - You just never know what might come your way. As I stood at my desk in between classes something unusual (but becoming the new norm) happened. But first let me give you a little bit of the backstory: Winter Wishes isn't about kids writing wishes on one day and then one week in magical December Wishes appear and the program ends. Winter wishes is a kindness initiative where we start working from day one of the year teaching students about improving our school climate and being the change in the world - it's about learning about one another and being a helping hand. We talk to our students and share personal stories of triumph, perseverance, adversity, and failure. We tell kids and show kids that THEY matter. One day, recently, my students and I had a real heart to heart discussion and I told each of them - I want to know your story. That's a big deal and mantra in our program, EVERY child has a story. So, now back to today. I was standing behind my desk in between classes and in walks one of my students - one who I haven't quite figured out but one who is constantly on my mind. I've said countless times about this child, she has a story but I can't figure it out. Guess what she said to me today? She walked toward me launching (no joke) a handwritten letter onto my desk and spoke these words, “Mrs.West you said you wanted to know my story so there it is!” She muttered a few things on her way out like, “you asked for it” and something else almost to make it seem like a reference to Pandora. Her outer shell wanted me to receive it as a sort of punishment for asking in the first place but her heart and the words in her letter showed a girl that needed a platform to share the details of her life; she needed to feel that someone was interested in her journey and experiences and that she mattered. I can tell you she has been through more at her tender age than I can imagine in a lifetime but from the same note that threatening hard shelled child told me her favorite color is purple, she loves root beer barrels, and her friends (but I'm sworn to secrecy to never let her friends know) she loves them.
#5 Also, today I got to tell the story about a little girl who gave me her most beloved gift - you'll have to check back toward the end of the week to hear the rest of this story but hint: I am foreshadowing an upcoming wish.
#6 And not last but close, as the bell rang at the end of the day a student brought me a paper airplane and said, “A student told me to give this to you.” On the outside, the word unfold was written multiple times. I carefully unfolded my paper airplane note and discovered the words, “You are awesome.”
Last, I could stop there because that’s a great closing piece but I need to assemble a little more of the Winter Wish puzzle: Today Winter Wishes unfolded what I am calling our very own “Wonder” story. It's an incredible story of a boy and his hero who share special qualities and were joined together because we get to be instruments of a plan so much bigger than us. My friend and colleague, Melissa, worked tirelessly and never gave up because another teacher highlighted a need and this wish was placed on our hearts. So as this very incredible Wish unfolded in Melissa’s room (and our adrenaline is still in high gear) you can see that small things, good things, were happening all over. Kids were being kind - kinder than necessary and change was apparent.
We all have a purpose in this program - Melissa is the voice and shares our story outwardly because that is her gift. You will find me more so in written roles because that is where I find my voice. We have shoppers, wrappers, float builders, assembly organizers, hall decorators, donation makers, outside volunteers, video producers, story writers, photographers, and the list just goes on and on. We are all a team with a shared purpose where no job is more important than another. We wouldn't pull this off without the help of every single person who has a touched a wish in one form or another.
So as we approach Thursday December, 14th we call on each one of you reading our posts. If you are a praying person, pray for our program and our kids. Pray that we instill in every child the importance of kindness, a nudge to be the change, and respect for one another's stories. We ask that you pray for every single Wish being delivered over the next week specifically with the idea that our students will receive these Wishes as a remembrance that someone wanted to brighten their day and that they matter. Pray that the right children were placed on our hearts and that we haven't forgotten a single story.
Until tomorrow,
Anita
Our tag line keeps growing: #bethechange, #morekindnessthannecessary, #emswinterwishes, #todayisagreatdaytochangetheworld, #justonemorewish
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