I wore this heart pin to school today. I needed to wear it, and I knew what would happen. Children asked me about the pin.
“Jennie, I love your heart.”
“Thank you. I do, too. Do you know why I wore this? Because I love you.”
The smiles were as big as sunbeams. Love has been, well, everything this year.
This school year has been a change, as the children are younger. It took a month to adjust my expectations to their abilities. Can they scissor cut? No. Can they draw people? Barely. I was spending nearly as much time in the bathroom changing diapers as I was teaching. Once we became a family (I love when that happens) it became clear these children may not be artists or builders, but they are passionate book readers. They are singers and caretakers of of our dolls – especially Gloria. She has spent every single weekend with a child. Lunchtime always has a Jennie Story or a Fairy Tale. The favorite is my version of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” – “Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.”
It finally dawned on me why everything is exciting and fun, albeit a young class. Love. That’s it. I love these children, and they love me. Everything falls into place once there is love.
A former student moved away recently, and someone said they would not miss him. It was mater of fact, not unkind, yet it made me look at my class and realize all that really matters is love. Learning happens after love. That’s why I wore my heart pin to school today.
I want to share with you my teacher hero. Her story is in my well worn copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul. She gets it:
A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future. In every case the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.” Twenty five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, “How do you account for your success?” In each case the reply came with feeling. “There was a teacher.”
The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement.
The teacher’s eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. “It’s really very simple”, she said. “I loved those boys.”
Love means supporting children along the way. I support my children. So does Rita Pearson. When she heard a colleague say, “They don’t pay me to like the kids”, her response was “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.”
All you need is love. Really.
Guess what book I’ll be singing to the children…
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
A perfect post, about the perfect way to teach.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete. Best to you.
My children have had several wonderful teachers, but the one who was absolutely life-changing was Polly. Their school went from age 4 to first grade. All in one classroom, with the children learning from each other. She didn’t teach any of them to read or to write. They instantly became readers, and they taught each other to write. Polly saw her role as being the one who arranged for each and every child to do the things they most wanted to do. She said anyone could be a good teacher, but to be a great one they needed to have passion about something in their lives. She herself had been a dancer, and that was the passion she drew upon.
A child wants to tell a story? She would listen, help write or transcribe, and then suggest they make it into a play. (That child became an international correspondent for PBS, now with his own weekly show.) A child wants to write a fairy tale? She sent that story to a national children’s magazine for publication. (That child, my daughter, now has won Emmy’s as a TV writer, plus has authored multiple best-selling books.) A child likes to know how things work? She brings in everything from toasters to computers for him to take apart. (That child, my son, is now an engineer at an international aircraft maker.) A child likes to sing and dance? Polly helps her create a show, recruit her classmates, and perform for families and friends. (That child, my daughter, performed the lead in her highschool musicals. Eventually, she became a developer in one of the world’s biggest software companies, a young woman in a male-dominated field with the confidence she got from Polly’s encouragement.)
Teachers can shape lives. A very few teachers — teachers like you Jennie — can transform them. The children in your class have hit the jackpot, and their lives will never be the same.
It is amazing what one good teacher can do for a child’s future. Your kids were so lucky to have Polly in their lives.
Hear, hear!
My goodness, Barb! First of all, Polly is my absolute hero, and frankly every teacher can do what she does – if they have the passion. Few do, which makes me want to blow a trumpet and call teachers together and tell them about Polly. Yes, this is me, too! She had a mixed age classroom and so do I. She championed emergent curriculum – jumping at every opportunity to take a special ‘moment’ further. That’s because she loved her kids, and couldn’t wait to build on their interests and take it to the next level. Your children are proof. Stories and writing, storytelling and fairy tales, how things work and building, dancing and singing….thank goodness your children who loved these activities were fueled and loved and inspired by Polly. Yes, teachers can shape lives. I think Polly and I would have lots of stories to tell. Barb, thank you for your very kind and heartfelt words. Wow! ❤️
You can’t beat love!!
Absolutely!
Always the love Jennie ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Always! 😍
Oh Jennie, I love this so much. Love is everything.
I tell the parents of my classes each year, that my heart grows to fit 60 more of ‘my children’ because once they become a part of my class, they become a part of my huge school family.
I know you are the same, and your school family must be so much bigger than mine, given the extra years you have touched the lives of all those young students, compared to me.
Love is everything… 💛
This is so beautiful, Ritu. Thank you! I can picture you telling your parents how your heart grows. Yes, we know how they become a huge part of our class, our family. When children leave my class I tell them, “Once and Aqua Roomer, always an Aqua Roomer.” Like you, they know the love ‘sticks’ long after they leave the class. My school ‘family’ is big, and yours is, too. Love is everything! ❤️
It is!
And, Jennie, I cry genuine tears when I say those words to them, as it is often when I’m telling them how proud I am of how far their little person has come!
that’s so beautiful, Jennie. each year it’s so important to embrace who the children really are and where they are. we always have to fit them, and they do not have to fit us, and that is when we find the sweet spot with them.
Yes! You are right, Beth. When we find that sweet spot, it’s like finding gold.
“Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” is so true. I recall attending a parent/teacher meeting at my daughter’s high school. We visited 8 teachers that night. Four sang her praises, said what a treat she was to have in their classrooms, and that she was doing very well in their classes. The other four said she was an awful student and a waste of their time. One even went so far as to say he hated students like her. (imagine!) We left wondering which of the 4 were talking about our daughter. When we mentioned it to her, she said, “Oh, those 4 teachers are the ones I don’t like so I don’t do any work for them.” Thanks for loving your students, Jenny. What a great start for them.
What a story, Darlene, and exactly what happens when a teacher likes (or doesn’t like) children. Many thanks!
The philosophy of the center where I work is “Hug First, Then Teach”. Perspective is everything.
That is a great philosophy!
It changed my whole mindset.
Sing away, Jennie, sing away!
I will!!
Well said, Jennie.
Thank you, Jacqui.
This is the honest truth and the best way to show students they mean the world to you.
Yes, yes!!
Love is always the best answer.
Yes!
ah Love Is All Around Us… you betcha, Jennie, there’s only one way and that’s to give it some passion
Yes, indeed! 😍
I “love” this post, Jennie. I know the young ones will have a great year, learn a lot, and shape their experience of school and attitude about learning. Enjoy the love. ❤
Thanks so much, Diana. I will! ❤️
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a timeless book, Jennie. Teaching is love!
It is, Bruce. You’re right on both counts, very much so.
You made my day today, Jennie. A very beautiful post about love. Your children are so lucky to have you as their teacher.
I’m so glad, John. Thank you for telling me. 🥰
😊
Love will never be in short supply in your classroom, Jennie.
That’s so nice of you to say, Dan. 🥰
I love this post, Jennie. I know I have said it before, but your students are blessed to have you. What a great foundation you give them emotionally and academically. I loved that TED Talk.
Thank you, Carla! Your words mean a lot. I’m glad you liked the TED talk as much as I did.
Love is the best equalizer. Love is the best motivator. Love is the reason.
Yes, yes, yes!!!
I’m certain that love is the most critical ingredient in any classroom. Kids who feel loved want to show up. They feel accepted and appreciated and pass on this wondrous feeling to others.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
Perfect quote, Pete.
Amen!
Yes, it is! It’s so simple, yet many teachers shy away from love and worry about the academics. That’s what I want to shout out to teachers. As I type this, directly in front of me hanging on the wall is Maya Angelou’s quote. I look at it all the time. It’s my beacon. Best to you, Pete.
What a wonderful post, Jennie! “Learning happens after love” – so good!! ❤
Yes, it does. Thank you, Wynne! 😀
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Jennie. You are a legend! I love your heart. ❤
🥰
This whole post warmed my heart, Jennie. You are correct. Love is the magic that makes it all happen and children know who likes them and who does not. I had one exceptional teacher and even found her years ago and wrote to her to let her know what she meant to me. She truly saved me. I was in her class for 6th and 7th grade, then we moved again. I so wanted to teach because of her. They don’t pay you teachers nearly enough. They can’t pay teachers like you and Polly what you are worth. I know you don’t do it for the money but just saying you are priceless.
I’m so glad this warmed your heart, Marlene. Love really is the magic and children know when a teacher likes them. You know that with your teacher. 6th and 7th grades are tough, socially and emotionally, so my cheers go out to your teacher. Thank goodness you wrote and told her what she did for you. Polly’s story is incredible. Thank you for understanding, as teaching is a labor of love. For me and Polly and many other teachers it is a calling, and a passion. Honestly, I have far more by teaching children than dollars could ever pay. Thank you, Marlene.
I forgot to mention that I remember that story from that CS book. I wish I hadn’t given away so many but I still have so many. I think it was in CS for the Teacher’s soul too.
That would be true, people generally don’t learn from people they don’t like.
Exactly!
A wonderful poem on love and lovely heart all full of love and happiness. Great post Jennie 👍🙏👍
Thank you!
Welcome 🤗
What an uplifting post to start my day! Thank you.
Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Jennie, You my friend Oooze Love to your lovely little students… And I can also testify that a wonderful teacher makes a huge amount of difference in our young lives…
I still remember my English teacher who took me under her Angel Wings… I would not be writing here had she not encouraged me the art of LOVING books…
Speaking of which I have that Copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul among others in the series… I will look up that story again to re-read…
Sending LOVE dear Jennie …<3 ❤ ❤ xx
Thank you, Sue! I love hearing about your English teacher. Yes, a teacher can make such a difference with love. My Chicken Soup for the Soul story is actually the first one in the book. I think that speaks volumes! 💕
I found it Jennie.. 🙂 makes that book even more important to me now 🙂 xx
Hooray!
🙂 xx
Heart warming ♥️
Thank you.
Your heart pin is a wonderful accessory that lets to so much chat about love.
Very uplifting post, Jennie
🙂
That’s so nice, Prior. Thank you!
🙂
You are an inspiration to your students and to other teachers. Glad you underlined the fact that love is the foundation of learning and that children need to feel loved and valued in order to thrive.
Thank you!
Hi Jennie, thank you for this beautiful post!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Charles!
This is so precious thank you for sharing
Thank you.
So wonderful to be in a profession that you truly love Jennie, and it shows…
Thank you, Kathy. Lucky me, right?