Another Perspective

As an educator, it is imperative that I look at what I do from other's perspectives. Is what I am doing relevant to my students? Do/will they understand? What would hinder them?

More often than not there will be a student whose perspective is only attainable through imagination. And even then, it falls terribly short. This is one such perspective:

This student is in 2nd grade..approximately 8 years older. He is not from the mid-west. His family is originally from New Orleans. They came here after Katrina. His family stayed in the Super Dome. He was approximately 6 years old.

He lost a brother and a sister. A while after relocating here, his mother was killed. He now lives with his father and step-mother.

My mind cannot wrap itself around this. Sure, I've gone through several hurricanes. Even stayed in a shelter. As horrible as it was, it pales in comparison. And I'm sure pales isn't a strong enough word.

I have never lost a parent. I lost my grandmother in October of 2006. A week later I had to put together a family book. I was supposed to get stories from my grandparents. She was the last one I had. I had to get my stories from my mom. I feel like I never really had time to grieve. I was immediately thrown into something else that had to be done. It's not really like losing a parent...especially before the age of 10.

Today was sobering. There are going to be plenty of kids in my classroom who come from so many different places and bring so many things with them. I don't know what else to do but love them.

I will continuously challenge myself to look at life through their eyes.