Today is National Superhero Day. Gloria wanted to celebrate. She dressed up for the big day. She wanted to be a Superhero.
I had a talk with Gloria. She needed to know that a real superhero doesn’t need a costume. She didn’t understand. Spider-Man and Wonder Woman wear a costume. Yes, but they are pretend. Real superheroes, like a dad, or a teacher, or a neighbor don’t always wear a costume. It’s what they do that makes them a Superhero.
Gloria was shocked. She hadn’t thought about that! We talked about what a real superhero does. Gloria decided just what she wants to do, too. It is touching. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Gloria really is the best.
Jennie
P.S. For my new blog followers, Gloria is perhaps the most important person in my preschool classroom. Over the years she has brought more joy and wisdom to children than I could have ever imagined. She is the ‘real deal’, with the biggest heart of all. Children see her insides, not her outside. There is much I have written about Gloria on my blog, she has really good stories.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Oh Jennie this is just so precious!
Thank you, Ritu! 😍
Long live ‘super’ Gloria!! (I used to love that song by Them with Van Morrison).
Yes! She is a superhero to the children. And to me. A great, Opher.
Gloria is the heart of the Aqua Room, and rightly deserves her moment in the spotlight.
Well done, Jennie. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
She certainly does, Pete. Many thanks. 🙂
gloria knows how to celebrate!
She does! 🙂
Gloria is a Superhero! This is delightful, Jennie!
Thank you, Deborah. Children (and I) agree. 😍
Gloria is a winner for sure! I love this and so will the kids.
I think the lesson she learns here will be a winner for the children. And of course her costume is super cool. 😀 I’m so glad you loved this. I’ll tell Gloria.
Did you make the costume?
No, it is part of our classroom dress-ups. I had to gather and twist tie the excess in the back.
Clever. Xo
😀
Gloria is gorgeous. So are you. This is delightful, Jennie. Two superheroes!
Thank you, Norah. 😀
Gloria is the embodiment of what a superhero is: love, compassion and understanding. But then, all good teachers are superheroes helping to inspire new superheroes.
She really is, Pam. And thank you for your kind words. It’s all about inspiring others.
Every pandemic needs its Gloria
Indeed!
For some reason, I didn’t know Gloria was so animated. This is super, Jennie. Thank you. Happy National Superhero Day. (You are a superhero.)
Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve ever posted a Gloria video before. Many times she is shy, yet she is often animated when she’s excited about something. Thanks so much, John. Maybe Lucy and Twiggy want to be superheroes today, too.
They consider themselves to be superheroes everyday. 😁
And they should! 😀
😁
Happy Superhero Day – to a real superhero!
I’ll pass the message along to Gloria. She’ll be thrilled. 🙂
Like your favorite colleague once said, “…look for the helpers…” extrapolated to encourage others to ‘be the helpers’…
BTW: Gloria, I have the very same composition book for my own journal, too!
Yes, look for the helpers. And, yes – extrapolated. I love that word! It is perfect. I will tell Gloria you have the same journal. She will be so excited!
She is a superhero!
She is, Dan. I will tell her you said so. 🙂
Love Gloria! And love this: “Real superheroes, like a dad, or a teacher, or a neighbor don’t always wear a costume. It’s what they do that makes them a Superhero.” Amen!
Hear, hear! Thanks so much, L. Marie. Gloria is a superhero and the children adore her. She helps them understand everyday superheroes, like moms. 🙂
This is a lot of fun, Jennie.
Thank you, Robbie. Gloria helps children to understand that if she is a helper, they can be, too. Everyday superheroes. It’s empowering.
Yes, it’s a great idea.
🙂
I didn’t know about Super Hero Day, Jennie. What fun to spend time with you and Gloria. Thanks for the video too. Hugs on the wing!
I’m so glad it was fun for you, Teagan! Hugs to you! ❤️
Oh this is precious. You are such a fabulous teacher. It was lovely to see Gloria in action. Seriously melted my heart. You are toooooooo good. Big hugs to you .
Thank you! 😍
I wanna be a super herooooo!!!!
She loves that song! I do, too. 😀
I am going back to nursery school post haste!
😀
Is Gloria your alter ego Jennie? As long as she doesn’t turn into the bride of Chucky I think your fine!
Haha! No, she’s just a regular kid who is sometimes shy, always a good friend and helper to the children, and loves music. Wait! Maybe she is my alter ego. 😀
theres always some of the artist in their creation. She is a conduit for your love to children.
You are right, Wayne. See, you’re intuitive. No wonder Daredevil likes you so much. Animals know. Gloria does, too. 🙂
I bet you could make a eagle friend to go with Gloria’s lessons! It could fly in and amaze the children with its huge wings and powerful talons! You could have many animal friends drop in to say hi to her and the children! A Bear (Teddy),a whale,a moose…..you get it.
I definitely get it! Gloria would love these friends. Thanks, Wayne. 🙂
my pleasure Jennie
Wonderful! 🙂 Sharing…
Thanks, Bette. ❤️
I loved your conversation with Gloria about the definition of REAL heroes! (I didn’t know that she’s a hand puppet. I was very surprised to see her mouth move as she talked!)
Maybe I’ve never posted a Gloria video before to show that she talks and is ‘real’. Yes, she can be be very chatty when she’s excited. A puppet is one of the greatest teaching gifts. Children always understand the lesson from a puppet, like not needing a costume to be a Superhero. Thank you, Liz.
I’ll confess that I was seeing her as real when the two of you were talking.
Yes! That is the best news, ever! She is real to children, indeed. Thank goodness you can see that, too. Most adults who meet Gloria feel the same way you do. 🙂
Oh, that’s wonderful!
🙂
I find it remarkable how many things that you do and what I did as a teacher that are similar even though our students were years apart. I didn’t have anyone like Gloria to help me (the best prop ever!), but I tried to teach the kids the same lesson and get them to think of the heroic acts of the people in their lives.
Heroes don’t have to wear uniforms; they often are right in front of us. How heroic is the parent who works fulltime and still manages to coach her daughter’s soccer team? How about the dad who holds down two jobs so that his child can be the first one in their family ever to attend college? With older students, I sometimes tried to get my students to write a letter of thanks to someone in their life who was doing heroic deeds.
What a valuable life lesson you are giving your students!
We are much alike in our teaching, Pete. I think that’s wonderful. A puppet is a great teacher for young children. The lessons learned in this way really seem to stick. Gloria’s foundation, her initial purpose many years ago, is while people may look different on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. She has evolved to become a master teacher, while maintaining her shy and loving persona.
Yes, the real heroes are the moms and dads, teachers and coaches, on and on. While my children cannot yet write words beyond their names, they can draw beautiful pictures, and we have encouraged them to do just that to thank people. My co-teachers and I are making a video today to thank the parents and the children. No spoken words, just handwritten signs. You’ll see tomorrow. 🙂
How beautiful is that? Life is filled with lessons of heart. One day soon, I hope we will all be in the reality of of one love. Thank you kindly for sharing.❤️🙏
Thank you, AOL! The most important lessons are lessons of the heart. ❤️
Hahaha! I wish we were America Online (AOL)!
I have no idea why my fingers typed AOL. Apologies, and I love your sense of humor. 🙂
LOL! I love it! Thanks for the big stroke… 👌🙃
My pleasure! And thanks.🙂
I’ll bet Gloria made a lot of happy hearts watching her singing and thinking about the kids. You are so good to keep her in their lives.
Yes, she did! Seeing Gloria is a treat for the children. Seeing her as a superhero is a special treat. Thank you, Marlene. Keeping all the important things alive for them is challenging. We’re doing the best we can, which never feels like enough, because we’re not there, together. My co-teachers and I just put together a thank you video for families and children. Big wow. It will be posted tomorrow. Still… nothing is really the same if we’re not together with the children.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
I am sure that your children and grandchildren will love this… and to be honest we could all use a touch of the Jennie Fitzkee and Gloria words of wisdom at the moment…#recommended
Thanks so much, Sally!
Pleasure Jennie..lovely chat with Gloria..x
😀
Fantabulous video and lessons Jennie. You are a true Superhero, a Shero! ❤
Shero. I love that word! Thank you, Debby. 🙂
That’s you! 🙂 x
😍
Thanks to Gloria, your assistant teacher. 😉 Best wishes, Jennie! Have a beautiful weekend, stay save and well. Michael
Thank you Michael. I will pass your message along to Gloria. 🙂 Best to you!
Thank you very much, Jennie! Best wishes, Michael
Best to you, Michael!
Thank you! To you too, Jennie! Stay well and save. Michael
🙂
wonderful
Thank you!
Jennie you are such a special person my friend… This was just delightful and a big thank you to both you And Gloria for bringing joy and smiles.. ❤
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind words, Sue. ❤️
You are most welcome Jennie
You and Gloria are both so awesome. Great message! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Marcia. I will let Gloria know, too. 🙂
It is a beautiful costume, Gloria, but Jennie is absolutely right: you don’t need one to be a superhero. In fact, you already are! As is your lovely friend Jennie! 😉
Loved watching and listening to you two! 😍
Aww… many thanks, Sarah. Gloria is thrilled! 🙂