Musings from a middle school reading specialist. I encourage my students to read, talk, write, and have fun!
I parent two amazing young-adult daughters with my husband of 30+ years.

March 3, 2022

Coffee Makes It Better? #SOLC22

 

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Yesterday morning one of my quiet 8th graders, M,  spoke up.

"Ms. B cried in class yesterday.  There are students who just can't stop talking back to her."

We talked a bit about how it made M and Ms. B feel.  I shared that I felt bad for both Ms B. as well as the students who aren't causing trouble.

"Should we do a little something for Ms. B?"  I asked M.  "Can you quietly find out if she is Team Dunkin or Team Starbucks?"

M looked a little confused, but then her eyes lit up.  "I can do that!" she replied.

After discovering that Ms. B is Team Dunkin, I told M I would get Ms. B some Dunkin in the morning.  M worried that she didn't know what kind of coffee would be best.

"No worries," I replied.

Flashback to 2015.  I've gotten a job at an elementary school in a new district.  Each month, there are school-wide emails exclaiming, "Thanks Starbucks Fairy! I definitely needed the boost today!"

I wondered who this "fairy" was.  I wondered why people - seemingly random -- were getting Starbucks cards.  The excitement was palpable.  People didn't expect a card, but were super happy to have a $5 card in their mailbox on a random day.

This morning, I handed M a $5 Dunkin card and envelope.  With my pen paused, I asked her what we should write.

"Sign it from an anonymous student in period 8," stated M.  "Tell her we hope she smiles when she gets a coffee from us."

M then grabbed the pass to quickly and quietly place the card on Ms. B's desk next door (luckily she has a meeting during our class!).

We don't know if coffee makes a rough day better, but we hope Ms. B knows that her students care about her.


3 comments:

  1. What an awesome way to let someone know that you see them! I also think that you may have just formed a bond with M! Great thinking!!

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  2. What an awesome experience. I love that you came alongside M to model this compassion. Both M and Ms. B are lucky to have you. Also, coffee definitely makes everything better! ;)

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  3. This piece made me cry! M is such a sweet kid! And you were so kind to get the card for her. So glad there are people like you in the world!

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