This is hanging in my office. The sticky note reads, "...or this office!!" but no one listens. I have teachers and parents crying in my office quite often. But as principals, we encounter things that really get to us. Sometimes, they are heartbreaking issues or events we are forced to deal with. But occasionally we have heartwarming ones that make the tears flow as well.
A short time ago, I had a little guy who was besides himself when his mom dropped him off for school that morning. He did not want to be here. He was throwing a tantrum, flailing about, causing quite a scene. I managed to get him into my office where he proceeded to kick the walls, push over chairs, all the while becoming more and more adamant that he didn't want to be here. After about 15 minutes (and some applesauce, crackers and juice) I was able to get him seated in a chair and we talked for a few minutes. I told him how lucky he was to have Mrs. X as his teacher, how much she loves him and cares about him and how much she misses him when he's not there. I told him that I'd walk with him to class when he was ready, but was still a bit worried that he'd try to run out the front door once we left my office. A walk that would normally take 2 minutes to get to his room took about 8, with pausing, stopping, and even moving backwards a few times. But eventually we made it to his classroom.
His teacher had absolutely no idea what his morning had been like. She had no idea what sort of struggles we had, and how long it took to finally get him to the point of actually entering the classroom. Even now, I really don't know what transpired with his morning, though I do know a good deal about his homelife and needless to say, school is his safe place.
But when we opened that door, I saw his classmates and teacher seated on the carpet. His teacher immediately turned towards him and said, "Oh Johnny! (not his real name) I am so glad you are here. We miss you so much when you're not here and we were worried you weren't here today. We are so happy to see you."
The shoulders that had been drooping were not raised. The eyes that had been staring at shoes were now fixed on the loving, smiling face of his teachers. Without hesitation or even a look back at me, he walked over to the carpet and joined his class.
I had a tough time finding my way back to the office because of the stinging and blurred vision that comes with pushing back tears. But I couldn't hold them back. She had no idea how badly he needed to hear that. We never have any idea how badly our students (staff, parents, children...) need to hear that. And we may not always believe it, but as the great Rita Pearson said, "You can never let them know that."
Greet every students as though they are the most precious, important, capable person in the world. When you do, watch their reaction, and even greater, watch their academic and behavioral growth. When students believe that you believe in them, they'll move mountains.
