Ms. Beck: A Teacher I Will Not Forget

    Teachers often wonder if they're making an impact. There are so many nights that I go home sick thinking of how I could have done more for my kids. I think about how my choices can impact their lives either positively or negatively. The way that I teach them can either aid them in their learning or squander their love to learn. I can either make them feel loved or make them feel less than themselves. The pressure is immense, and the choices are many.

   This week I had an amazing experience as a teacher. I was able to have my Kindergarten teacher come to share a story with my class. Having lived on the East side of the state, it is amazing to me that my teacher has since moved to Grand Rapids and we have reconnected. Who would have thought that this moment would have happened? Thinking of how amazing this opportunity was, twinkles appeared in both mine and my teacher's eyes. I say my teacher because once your teacher--always your teacher. Ms. Beck told my students that when I was in her Kindergarten class I was a good listener. Upon hearing this I smiled a prideful smile just as I'm sure I smiled when I was in her class. She always had a way of making her students feel special and accomplished, no matter how seemingly small the achievement: good listening.

(I told my principal what my Kindergarten teacher said, and he replied to say that she she must have had me confused with another child--I don't doubt his logic). 

   Just as I wonder if I have made an impact, this inspirational teacher of mine expressed this worry as well as we chatted as colleagues. I can say without a doubt that Ms. Beck made a positive impact on my life. I distinctly remember watching as she would read aloud to us. I remember just how eloquently she would hold the book so that we could see the pictures as she read. I remember thinking, "How does she do that? I want to do that someday." And now I am. I have her to thank.  

Full circle. I am honored to have a teacher who inspired me and my path to teaching sharing her heart with children that have mine. Here are some photos:

Ms. Beck's Kindergarten class....Katie with the cat sweater, of course!

My kids with our special guest reader

Ms. Beck :)

She busted out the sock puppets :)

Sweet Swahili

A white woman born and raised in a small town, that's me. I am grateful for my roots, but long to continue growing. I have been placed within one of the most amazing jobs possible. I am surrounded by culture, beliefs and languages differing from mine on a daily basis. My goal is to grow in cultural competency in any way possible in order to better serve my students. My students deserve a teacher that not only knows them, but appreciates all that they are.

I had the opportunity to attend a service completely in Swahili today, after hearing that one of my student's dad is a pastor at a church I had been wanting to attend. I asked my friend if she was feeling adventurous, and she quickly agreed to join me in attending a service that was sure to be memorable. I wasn't even able to get to the door without being greeted by a group of my students running to hug me. They couldn't believe that I had come to go to church with them. We entered the lobby, and were greeted by at least 10 more of my students from throughout my time as an EL teacher in Kentwood. My girls (as I call them) were dressed up with pretty dresses and high heels, and my boys were adorning suits and smiles from ear to ear. I instantly felt so much love entering this church.

The service began and our pew was filled with sweet kids, as their parents looked on probably wondering who we were. I mean, we certainly stood out in the crowd. This got me to thinking throughout the service about how my refugee students must feel when they start school. You walk into a place where everyone looks far different than you, they are all sharing experiences in their language and you are desperately searching for clues which would tell you how to behave--to fit in. Your head begins to pound after a long while of trying to pick out any words that you may know from the fast paced foreign language being spoken to and around you. You find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the unknown.

 I found myself retreating from focusing on language to just focus on the beauty, a universal language. I watched as the beautiful women cared for their babies and the babies of their friends. I smiled as I watched the beautiful men praying over the congregation. I wiped tears from my eyes as I watched the beautiful children singing proudly in front of their church, and smiled extra wide when I made eye contact with one of my students. I loved watching the beauty of an infant baptism, and the large group of people up front to support the family and baby.

As the sermon began, I thought I would be sitting in the pew for approximately 30 minutes not understanding anything that was being spoken. I thought about all of my students and how they endure 6 hours a day of mostly incomprehensible lessons. Just as I began to settle in, one of the pastors approached our pew with a great smile, "I'm going to interpret." What a blessing. Two English speakers come to a Swahili service, and accommodations are made for US. Amazingly gracious hosts.

I developed a headache as I was hearing two languages simultaneously and my brain tried to decipher which one to absorb. This is how my student's parents must feel at school-wide events and conferences as they're listening to both their child's teacher and the interpreter--both English and their native language. It is exhausting. I was yet again humbled for all that my students and their families must overcome.

At the end of the service the pastor introduced my friend and I to the congregation. I asked all of my students present in the congregation to stand up, it was a proud moment for all of us as a learning community. Following this introduction and the closing of the service we were met with a line of people welcoming us with hugs and smiles.

I am thankful every day for the job that I have working with refugees. They have overcome so much and bring with them such wealth and beauty in culture and language. Oh what we can learn from others if we just welcome them. I encourage you all to learn more about others around you, it truly is a rich, humbling experience.

I will close this blog with a video I took of the children's choir :)

We. Are. Family.

"I call my students my kids because in our year together they aren't just kids on my class list, they become part of my heart forever."

***
My heart has been made incredibly full by the care and concern of my students. I am so thankful for them and all that they teach me with their courage and abounding kindness. The last month has been a tricky time for us as a class family. With some transitions with staff I was needing to care for 200+ kids between two schools. I was splitting my time in half, and only seeing my original group of kids two days/week. I was feeling stress not seeing my kids, and my kids were showing signs of it too.
"Ms. Lett, why are you always gone?--You're always at the other school and never with us."

(I had a great time at my other school spending time with amazing kids. It was fun learning from them and getting to know their little hearts.)

Oh my aching heart.

They missed being together as a family just as much as I did. Our time together is precious, and lately it certainly has been.

***
Just today I was working with a student who, at the beginning of the year, wasn't able to read a single sight word. We have been working on the same stack of words all year, without much improvement. He was feeling discouraged, and I was trying not to feel the same. Today I pulled the same stack one more time. He was able to read all but two of the words. ALL BUT TWO!

I happened to spot another student in the class looking at this boy with tears in his eyes and a proud smile. My eyes welled up as I asked this boy if he was feeling proud of his friend. He replied yes shyly, and went back to his work.

I am overwhelmed as a teacher to have students who overcome their own struggles and then encourage and applaud others after they overcome their own.

***
Another moment took my breath away today. While teaching a lesson, which required a lot of student talk using academic language, I noticed one of my students rehearsing answers quietly with another student who struggles with speaking. The struggling student would share her rehearsed answer, smile, and then look to her supportive friend as in to celebrate. Beautiful.

These are the moments that add up and make me one proud mama bear. I truly believe I have some of the best young people in my care, and I count myself blessed to have all 200+. I am surrounded by individuals who work and love harder than anyone I have known.

Sincerely thankful to be their teacher, and the leader of this strong family.

***

"Ms. Lett, will you take us to church?" Also! I'm going to Thailand!

Honored and humbled are two words to describe my heart after being served two meals in the company and the home of students of mine. It all started last week when I walked them home after a late meeting after school. They promptly invited me in and showed me more hospitality than I have ever seen. The sweet mother had just ended her long work day, walked up to school to have a meeting until 8:00 p.m., and then walked home to serve her children's teacher with such grace and love.

The youngest boy insisted, "Mom...make coffee--Ms. Lett loves to drink coffee" (whoops--busted)

I kept offering to help her, but she just yelled at me sweetly saying, "Sit, sit".

I "sat, sat" as she brought out the most amazing dishes I had ever had. Honestly delicious food. This woman should be a chef! She was worried that the food would be too spicy for me, but I assured her that I could handle it. I found out quickly, as my lips began to swell that I could not, in fact "handle it". Everyone laughed at my repeated, "woooo weeeeee". Laughter and smiles are universal.

I shared with the family that I will be traveling to Thailand this summer to teach English for two months. (!!!!!!!!!) They were excited, and after our meal I was shown family pictures from their country, and Youtube videos depicting their home villages. It was beautiful to hear their stories. They are encouraging me to come back with a Thai husband. We shall see. :)

After dinner they asked when I was coming over again--we scheduled our next dinner for tonight. They explained that they wanted to cook a very special meal for me, their teacher. I counted down the days for this dinner.

I arrived just before 6:30 with a pumpkin to carve, apple cider and German cookies.
Just like last time I was again instructed to "sit, sit" and "eat, eat". It was a very humbling experience to be served in that manner. I offered again to help, but I was shut down just as before. Okay...sit, sit..I get it. :)

My first ever Dragon Fruit experience :)

While the oldest boy and the mother prepared our meal I took the young ones (a neighbor boy who is also my student stopped by) out to the porch to carve our pumpkin.

Drawing the face on the pumpkin :)

After we carved the pumpkin we were called back inside to continue eating. I was presented with the following dish. 

She shelled and cooked these shrimp with her oldest son's help.
Amazing dish. :)

As if this dinner and company weren't sweet enough. Our time together ended with some of the sweetest words I have ever heard coming straight from a young child's mouth:

"Ms. Lett, will you take us to church with you?"

I couldn't respond fast enough. Yes. Yes! I will surely take you to church. 

What an amazing blessing this family has been, and it's only October! I cannot wait to see how our relationship will grow. 

A truly beautiful woman inside and out, Mu Htee Sway :)

I do love you!

A miracle. 

I feel as though it is an utter miracle that I am teaching the children I am in the schools that I am. I look back at the girl I was 5 years ago, wondering who I was going to be, and smile. She had no idea where she would end up and that it would be much more than she ever dreamed. 

I recently moved and had a chance to go through some of my old books from college. I found a bunch of books that I bought for Education classes at GVSU. I was really into a few book series then, but boxed the books up because I hadn't yet had a classroom for them to live. This all changed this year when I brought that box of old books into my classroom. I pulled some of the "Skippy Jon Jones" books out and read them to my kids. It brought me so much joy to see them enjoy the books and ask if I had any more. Who would have known? 

There was one other book in that dusty old box that brought me great happiness upon finding it. "Koala Lou". Oh how I loved this book from the very moment I read it. The story is all about a Koala signing up for a race she wasn't sure if she could finish. In the beginning of the story the Koala's mother tells her every day of her strenuous training that she loves her. "Koala Lou, I DO love you" was repeated over and over for sweet Koala Lou to hear. Eventually, though, the Koala's mother became too busy raising her other children to constantly reassure Koala Lou with her love. Deep down Koala Lou still knew that her mother loved her as she continued to train, but she felt sad. 

Even though we know we are loved it is still nice to hear it once and awhile during our "training". Reassurance is always a good thing. 

Today was a crazy day in the life and I was feeling more than weary when it came time to grab my kids for our after school program. This is, no doubt, my favorite part of the day, but I wasn't sure if I had the heart for it today. Reassurance came in like a sweet kiss on my cheek when one of my students waved me over to say, "Miss Lett Lou, I DO love you!" She then giggled and smiled a crooked, toothless grin. 

You see, after reading Koala Lou to my students I then went around the room saying each of their names followed by "Lou" and the phrase "I DO love you". I thought it would be a cute way for me to remind and reassure them that I DO love them. 

It is more than special to know that my students feel it in their hearts to reassure me as well. We are a family. 

Thankful to be where I am. Tired, but so very thankful. :)

G R O W T H: Personal and Professional

   I am hired to teach immigrant and refugee children English, but as the year passes by they teach me about love, friendship, grace, and how to overcome any obstacle set in my path. My children have seen pain and they have seen joy. My kids choose to be and find happiness in each and every day. I simply teach them how to speak English. They teach me far more. I know as a teacher I am not supposed to have favorites, but after a year like this one it is impossible not to.
   One year ago I was slipping into the most depressed summer and period of time I have had so far in my life. I had no idea the pain and darkness I would feel in the upcoming months and I definitely didn't see the light on the horizon. I still remember the moment I spoke with my principal in his office and the words he spoke to me which I believe helped reset me onto the path I am on today. I can honestly say that today, one year later, I am back and my joy has been restored. I am stronger for the pain and darkness I experienced and I have many people, including my students to thank for that restoration.
     This year I had six refugee students who had been in our country for less than a year. They spoke and understood very little English. I laugh thinking of the beginning of the year where I sounded like a dog trainer, "Sit! Stop! NO!!" It seemed to happen all of a sudden that these children began to speak and express themselves. I'll never forget the moment one of my students exclaimed, "EXUUUUSE ME, MISS LETT, BUT THESE ARE NOT MINE!" I remember just looking at him and laughing! My kids keep me on my toes and inspire me to be a better teacher and a better person. They have overcome great hardship and have risen against all odds. I am in awe of their inability to give up. This trait, which they all possess has inspired me to train for a 10K. For the entire school year I told my children (who are far beyond grade level in every possible way, but never give up) that they can do anything that they put their mind to, that they are loved and that some day their hard work is going to pay off for them. They believe me. Why can't I believe me? Well, here's my chance to do something I find extremely difficult. My children have inspired me to sign on for something I could never see myself doing. I just know crossing that 10K finish line will be life changing and I owe it all to elementary school children who are beautiful and wise beyond their years.
      This year has also brought the beginning of graduate school. I love my classes and it feels great to work toward something your heart will not let you ignore--a passion burning and growing with each passing day to work with refugee and immigrant students and families. This year has brought great challenges and great joys. Ever since I was in high school I dreamed of hosting a cultural night for families. This May I had the chance to do just that with my amazing teaching partner. [She's another huge blessing of this year and could make up her own blog post.] We had the opportunity to host 150 children and families for a night of literacy and cultural/native language support. I was moved to tears when one mother said, "I just want to thank you for including all of us [8 languages/cultures represented] tonight; you have made us feel like important parts of this community." This statement moved me to tears [big shocker, I know]. This woman captured my desire in one sentence. These families are different, but that does not mean deficit. What a beautiful blessing it is to be surrounded by individuals who have overcome so much and still remain joyous.
     On the last day of groups I had a little party and presented my students with a pencil and poem:
    "I'm glad I was your teacher, I've come to love you so. I can't believe the end is here, I hate to see you go. Remember all the fun we had, in all the things we did, but most of all remember: you're a very special kid." I got to line two before the tears began to fall and I was unable to read to the end as I peered into the faces of children I love and respect so deeply. I asked a student to come up and finish the poem for me. After she finished I looked into the sea of beautiful faces looking back at me with such concern. I asked them if they knew why I was crying. Their response: "Because you love us." Yes. If I have taught you anything this year, I hope that is what you take away. You are loved and you are worth loving.
       My friend has one of my students mainstreamed into her class. She assigned a writing assignment in which the students needed to write about the best party they have attended. Below is a photo of what one of my students responded. My heart. Oh how it bursts.

"It was so fun that I have a party with her and she gave me a present
and she cried and she said she loves me and her group."

      I have no idea what the Fall will bring for me, but what I do know without a doubt is that I have found the population with which I desire to work. I know that I am doing what I'm meant to do because I can barely talk about it without getting emotional. I am truly living my dreams. My pockets may be empty, but my heart is bursting at the seams.


   

I'm Here: A New Perspective

Perspective

I think it’s so easy to lose perspective on what’s important in life. I know from my personal life how easy it is for me to get bogged down with the duties of life and forget all about the beautiful things that surround me on a daily basis. I've had a few experiences lately that have physically shaken me into gaining a new perspective on my life and what is truly worth my time and worry.

One. A couple of weeks ago my school faced a scary day as we were asked to go into a sheltered lock down procedure without really knowing why. We were then instructed to evacuate our building. We loaded our students onto a bus and supported each other as we supported our children, not knowing what would be the outcome of the scare. It wasn't until later that we found out that our building had received a bomb threat in the mail that morning. As we were evacuated, I couldn't help but think about my life, the people in it, and how I’m choosing to spend it.

Two. A few days ago I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes playing checkers with one of my fifth grade boys as a reward. The first time we played he beat me. The following day, I explained to him that I wanted to redeem myself. Redeem? He wasn't sure what I meant by that. I had the opportunity to explain that we always have the chance at redemption. I was teaching vocabulary and at the same time reminding myself of an awesome truth. We can redeem ourselves, no matter the mistake.

Three. A couple days ago I had the chance to catch up with a dear friend of mine who has recently experienced a great loss in her life. As she tearfully shared her testimony in regards to her loss, I couldn't help but think again about all of the things, experiences and people I take for granted in my life. Again, a renewed perspective.

Four. A few minutes ago I met with my fourth grade group to discuss the idea of theme in literature. As always, we began our lesson with the sharing of our good news. This has been a great practice as it forces me to think of the positives on a daily basis. One girl shares the same opening line each day, “My good news is that I’m here.” Today the words, “I’m here” really struck me. This sweet girl gets it. We are blessed to have been given another day. We’re here and that is good news.