Printer-friendly versionEditor’s Note: Last month, Teaching Tolerance launched a new series of lessons called Issues of Poverty. This week’s featured lesson can be found here.
I am intellectually aware of Paola’s poverty.
Nine out of 10 students at our school come from families whose income level meets the federal poverty guidelines. Paola, an immigrant from El Salvador, is one of them. The first-grader lives in a small apartment with her grandma, mom, sister and uncle. Combined, the adults earn less than $26,170 a year.
Her family’s income means that Paola is likely to suffer from poor nutrition, inadequate health care, an inferior education and a bad future. I’m struggling against her life-crushing poverty with all of the compassion, creativity and commitment within me.
While I’m aware of her poverty, today I celebrate her riches.
Today I see her as Paola, first-grade hero, with compassionate eyes, an intuitive mind and a big heart.
Her teacher introduces a new student, Richard.
“Hi,” Paola whispers to him as he sits down beside her. “I’m glad you’re in our class.”
She doesn’t know the story of the suffering that brings him to our school, but perhaps she recognizes something familiar in his taut face, quivering voice and shaking hands.
“This is your journal. It goes in your desk, like this,” she explains. “These are our crayons and markers. You can use them if you want to. Don’t worry. There’s lots to learn. I’ll help you.”
I’ll help you.
I love that Paola reached out to the new student. I commend her empathy. I can learn from her.
Later that day, I sat beside Paola in the lunchroom.
I asked her what had made her help Richard.
“Oh, I remember when I was the new student,” she said. “And sometimes I feel the way he looked when he sat down beside me. I just wanted to be kind to him. It helps when people are kind to me. He’s my neighbor.”
Yes, I’m aware of Paola’s poverty. But today I’m aware of her riches, too. I curse her poverty and will fight like hell for nutritional aid for low-income mothers-to-be and young children, quality public schools, aid to low-income college students and universal health care. But I’m thankful it hasn’t hardened her heart. I’m thankful her heart is soft and sympathetic to the world around her.
And I’ll follow her example and say, “I’ll help you. I just want to be kind to you,” to all of my suffering neighbors.
Thanks for showing me the way, Paola.
Barton is an elementary school teacher in South Carolina.
Comments
Thank you for reminding us of
Thank you for reminding us of what real riches are. My dear daughter in law just told me of a book fair in her son's public school. The books were for sale at a discount, but still there were some children who couldn't buy books. She told me of one child who when he bought his book, gave his change and the rest of his money to the librarian for 'someone else who might need it'. The next child thought that was a good idea too, and by the end of the class period,and with some contributions from the adults too, everyone was able to take a new book home.
Maybe in a few small ways, the lessons we're learning from this troubled economy is to consider value instead of price.
Kindness doesn't cost......it pays....with great dividends.
What a beautiful story, Dian.
What a beautiful story, Dian. I have a deep belief that those few small ways can change the world. Thanks for sharing!
Trevor, This is a wonderful
Trevor,
This is a wonderful account of how a child from poverty can have so much to give in other areas. I stumbled across this blog/entry while researching articles to share with my faculty, as I am a principal at a Title One school. Luckily, I have a staff full of wonderful, caring teachers who have such compassion for the children they serve. I plan on putting this article in our weekly calendar coming up soon if you don't mind.
On a side note... I think you and I knew each other as children, unless there is another person with your same name who used to live in Greenville! My maiden name is Walker.
Thank you for the article, and I look forward to reading the others that are posted. I am sure there will be some things that will be helpful for my school.
Thank you for the reminder of
Thank you for the reminder of the "riches" in all of our students. We in education are often bogged down by test scores, large class sizes and inadequate resources. You have reminded us that it is those little acts of kindness committed by us and our students that help make the world a better place. Some people can get caught up in stereotypes about those who struggle to have even the basic needs met. Thinking that those in poverty will always be there or that there is no way out. However, helping one who will in turn help another should be our focus. I cannot "fix" everything for my students. However, I can see their "riches" and help them go on to help someone else.
Thank you for sharing your
Thank you for sharing your story. Isn't is wonderful to see children respond to each other in positive ways without judgment? Adults can learn a lot from children when we keep our eyes and minds open.
I loved this story. There are
I loved this story. There are so many lessons we can learn from the children and families who don't have material wealth. We tend to think they need to be "fixed," and yet they have much of value to be shared. It's the same with parents. For example, the immigrant parents are the ones who marshalled the resources needed to escape whatever conditions they left, to create a better life for their family. We could learn much about courage, resilience, and hard work. Yet, because many lack material wealth, we feel sorry for them; and that pity often blinds us to their strengths. We can support them, while still seeing the lessons they can teach. That's a true partnership.