the gift!

So one of my students gave me this beautiful "flower" today while we were outside. She was so excited to give it to me and insisted I bring it home and put it in some water.
As I looked at this poor flower (or whatever it is), I could feel the heart behind the giving; it was huge. Some may see the gift for what it is , a wilted flower, but in teaching children, I have the privilege to "hear" the heart behind that gift. I see it in their eyes, the excitement and joy. When that student gave me this flower and she heard the excitement in my voice and saw the gratitude in my smile, her world became brighter and she responded by skipping away with an even bigger smile on her face. Where else in my life am I able to allow someone to give and feel their heart. As I receive them, will they skip away with a smile on their face, or will they look like this wilted flower?
Where man sees but withered leaves,
God sees sweet flowers growing.
~Albert Laighton

I can change my world around me, one smile at a time!

Grandparent's Day

Today was Grandparent's day at the school. It is probably one of my favourite "special" days as it is such a wonderful time of honouring. The students put on an assembly which is mixed with songs, poems and speeches honouring their grandparents. Each year is unique and this year was no exception. I sat in my classroom with one grandfather who shared with me his memories of Kindergarten. He said he hadn't really thought about it until that moment when he was watching the students engaged in their activities. He said it brought back good memories of the time when he was that age, 55+ years ago! Another grandfather shared with me how he is enrolling in Kindergarten in September because he thinks the class is so much fun! I also had a conversation with a grandfather who told me how important it is that children learn how to "be" with other children in a classroom. He shared with me how he grew up alone and how he wouldn't wish that on any child.
I know I have said it many times, but I love my job. I have many opportunities to share experiences with people, but I also have the privilege to see into their hearts. It is amazing how real people become in a Kindergarten setting. It is a space where people can be open, honest and most importantly just be themselves.

So today was Show and Tell and it was time for the infamous "what does your dad do for a job" question. The following were some clues and descriptions some of the children gave. Enjoy, I know I did!

• clue: something that makes my dad rich.
• answer: he makes money for a job
• Another child answered this with "all dad's do that!"

• clue: it starts with "b"
  
• answer: he makes buckets for a craft (he makes buckets for loaders and tractors)

• clue: starts with a B and ends with an R
• answer: he works at B & R (company's name)
• description of what dad does: he crushes filters into oil and then makes them into cars!
  

I also asked the students to think about what they may want to be when they grow up. One child said he wants to be an astronaut then proceeded to tell his friends that when he is an astronaut he will fly a rocket; and a rocket protects you from the moon.

Yup, I love my job!

Today I had another dad of one of the students come into the classroom to talk about his job. He is a Toronto firefighter and he talked to the students about fire safety. It went really well and the students learned a lot. At the end of the presentation the students had a chance to try on the firefighter coat and helmet. I also took a turn and it amazed me how heavy the items were. There were a lot of layers to the uniform and each layer served a purpose of protection. In looking at it and asking questions I began to realize how if one layer was not functioning like it should it could cause serious damage to "whom" it is protecting. God has a plan and I also have a job to do. When I walk in my purpose and function as I should everyone I come in contact with can feel safe. It makes me thankful that I am a layer in God's plan. When I choose not to walk in my purpose and disregard anything God has called me to do, my layer develops holes and becomes thin and ineffective. It can be repaired, but it will take a choice. How strong is my layer? What am I bringing to God's plan? Protection or harm? I choose to be strong and BE the best "layer" I can BE for everyone around me and ultimately for God!