Teach Your Child Compassion
Sep 17 '00 (Updated Oct 15 '00)
On Tuesday of this week, little Meghal came into my life. Huge brown eyes, small in stature, Meghal walked hesitantly into my sixth grade homeroom and a wide grin spread across his face. His expressions clearly spelled out his emotions.. curiosity, excitement, and a bit of abject terror.
Meghal flew into this country for the first time on the previous Saturday night. He was born and raised for this first ten years of his life in India. A quick observation and question-and-answer session with him led me to realize his English was somewhat limited. I could tell that he had been taught the language because he could understand me if I spoke clearly. But I could also discern that he had not utilized nor practiced the language much because he was extremely hesitant to speak.
As I sent young Meghal on a tour of the school with a buddy, I spoke quickly and pointedly to my students, trying to hide my own nervousness. "Guys and gals, listen. Some of you know just how hard it is to start a new school and meet new friends. Now take that a thousand steps further and imagine yourself in another country trying to do the same thing.. but without knowing how to communicate well with those around you. You're all smart enough to realize that Meghal is going to need our help; now all I'm asking is for you to show some compassion and we'll all work together to get through this and make him feel welcomed and appreciated." I took a deep breath and watched their faces. Sixth grade is such a strange year.. I knew I was asking a lot from kids who spend most of their daylight hours teasing and joking, socializing and goofing off. Whether intentional or not, some kids at this age (or at any age, for that matter) can be very cruel and heartless..
I need not have worried.
As the day progressed, I would almost find myself in tears watching my homeroom children embrace Meghal with open arms. Throughout the morning they pointed out this, explained that, and smiled at him.. a lot. They spoke slowly but were quick to ask him questions too. I watched almost every child make some type of effort to ease Meghal's transition into an American classroom.
Meghal became ill at lunch and cried to go home. This was very understandable.. he was simply overwhelmed and extremely nervous. We notified his family and called it a day. My secretary called me on the phone, though, and said this.. "Please don't think it was because Meghal wasn't feeling welcomed.. your students were amazing. Several of the boys never left his side until his family came to pick him up." When Meghal didn't return the next day, the students were full of concerned questions. The following day, when he did come back, he entered the room again with that huge, endearing grin. Meghal was here and all was right with our world.
Meghal has had two very good days at our school, thanks mainly to the compassion of my students. He's talking much more, laughing at the antics of my silly boys, and completing work with lightening speed. It won't take long until it will seem he's been with us his entire life.
My speech to the class did not cause my students to show compassion. It simply sparked their minds to remember the things their parents have taught them about loving others. They saw a need and met it.. and I am extremely proud. If they learn nothing else this year from me, may they remember to forever be compassionate to those they encounter in their daily lives.
Teach your children how to care. Teach them to embrace cultural differences. Model those values yourself. They'll listen.. and they'll make you proud, too.
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Epinions.com ID:
Teach2755
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Member: Lisa
Location: Jonesboro, AR
Reviews written: 95
Trusted by: 54 members
About Me:
I'm a half-crazed sixth grade teacher who's ready for summer. Enough said. :)
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