Seen, Heard, Uplifted

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou

It was 7:00 AM on a Friday and the kids, hoodies up and earbuds in, ambled off the buses and shuffled through the doors of Antioch Middle School. As their eyes adjusted to the harsh fluorescent lights of the school, they noticed a bunch of their former teachers from elementary schools lining the hallway. Many of the students gasped. Some shrieked and jumped up and down clapping excitedly. Some yelled, “That’s my teacher!” Some shyly walked by and gave a timid smile and wave. Some ran up and hugged. It warmed my teacher heart to see many of my former students so happy to see their teachers. Talk about feeling like a Kardashian for a minute! Teachers are the ultimate celebrities!

But there was one student I was hoping to see. He had some rough patches last year and was no stranger to the principal’s office, but he had a big heart and strived for affection. We worked together tirelessly to help him make good choices. Some days it was two steps forward, and then we’d inevitably have setbacks. But I refused to give up on him.

That early Friday morning, when he rounded the corner with tears in his eyes, flanked by a principal, I felt my heart drop. Oh no! His year was already off to a bad start.

After I intercepted him from his walk of shame to the principal’s office, I wrapped my arms around him and told him that I was so happy to see him. He sniffed back tears and nodded. Apparently, another student had instigated a fight, but my former student made a good choice to use his words instead of his fists. With tears welling up in my eyes, I told him that I was so proud of him.

My students may not remember how to find the area of a triangle. They may forget how to evaluate equations or solve for x. But I hope they never forget that I care about them beyond the classroom. We teachers love our students, and the students know it and feel it, as evidenced by their joyful reactions.

I want to live like every interaction that I have with another person matters. Because it does. From the server at the restaurant, to my son when he forgets to pick up his room. Just like Maya Angelou said, they’ll always remember how you made them feel. How can you make someone feel seen, heard, uplifted, and loved today?

Holy One,

Help us to be the peace we wish to see in the world.

Amen

Kelly is a teacher, mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Just doing the best I can.