A Good Reminder . . .

I’m writing about something that happened last week.  I can’t stop thinking about it. . . . and each time I try, I tell myself “no” it’s good to remember, to remember how a tone in one’s voice can slice through a child . . . a good lesson for us all... teachers, parents, really anyone who is in contact with children.  I teach in the computer lab and the classroom teachers are in there with me.  I explained the directions for a new project and waited a bit before going over to E to see if he needed any help . . . because I was sure he did.  I went over the directions again and thought he understood what he was to do.  A few minutes later I heard his teacher asking him over and over if he understood what he was suppose to be doing, when clearly he did not.  I waited a few minutes before going over to him.  I touched his shoulder to get his attention and a couple of tears were sliding down his cheeks.  I parked myself down, tried to soothe away the tears before again explaining the directions with pictures this time.  I’m certain there are times when we all lose our patients, times when we ourselves are having a bad day.  But on this day I reminded myself how the tone in our voice, even if it’s a quiet tone can slice through a child.  Believe me I am not saying the teacher is a bad teacher.  In fact, she is a good teacher, just having a bad day and the stress of the job just got the best of her.  We tell children to “think” before they act. . . a good reminder to us all . . . especially on those stressful, no good, very bad days!