To Nurture...

Hello wonderful people, allow me to share a short story of a teacher I encountered while reading a book.

BRAINS are like HEARTS, they go where they are APPRECIATED

One day in the classroom, things just didn't feel right. We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that the students were growing frustrated with themselves- and becoming edgy with one another. 

I had to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So, I asked them to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving  a space between each.Then I told them to think of the nicest thing to say about each of their classmates and write it down..

It took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment and as each student left the room, each handed me their papers....

That Saturday, I wrote the name of each student on a fresh piece of paper and listed what every one else had said about the individual. On Monday, I gave each student his or her list. Some of them ran two pages. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" I heard whispered,"I never knew I meant anything to anyone", "I didn't know others liked me so much!"

No  one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if they discussed it after class or with their parents. It didn't matter the exercise had accomplished its purpose.The students were happy with themselves and one another again.

That group of students moved on. Several years later, after I had returned from a vacation, my parents met me at the airport.As were driving home, Mother asked me the usual questions about the trip: How the weather was, my experience in general. There was a slight lull in the conversation, mother gave dad a sideways glance and simply said "dad?" My father cleared his throat. "The Eklunds called last night," he began.

"Really?" I said. "I haven't heard from them in several years, I wonder how mark is....." 

Dad responded quietly, "Mark was killed in Vietnam," he said . "The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend." 

I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before.....

The church was packed with Mark's friends. [His old classmates] Chuck's sister sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" Why did it have to rain on the day of the funeral? It was difficult enough at the grave side. The pastor said the usual prayers. One by one, those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin and sprinkled it with holy water. I was the last one to bless the coffin. As I stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as a pallbearer came up to me "Were you Mark's maths teacher?"

kindly check newer post for the complete story.