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.
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!!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis 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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