Gloria made her classroom debut. We don’t have returning students from last year in the class, so she was all new. For everyone.
You could have heard a pin drop.
It was hard to get Gloria to look, much less talk. She was scared. She was shy. That’s who she is. I asked her if she wanted me to talk and tell the children about her. She nodded her head, and snuggled against me.
I told the children all about Gloria, how she joined the Aqua Room because people had called her a witch. That did it; Gloria was immediately fired up. She looked at the children and told them she is not a witch, she just likes to wear black, has wrinkly skin, and sticky-upy-outy hair.
The silence was still there, but children nodded in a way that said, “Tell me more.” And Gloria did. She talked and talked. She told them about adventures with Aqua Room children over the years, from going trick-or-treating, to Disney on Ice, to mountain climbing, to the New England Patriots parade after they won the championship.
More importantly, she told the children how she loves to sit on the couch and read books, sing, and be hugged.
The message that Gloria sends is simple: she looks different, but she is the same as all the children. This is Diversity 101, something that is needed worldwide, today more than ever.
I asked children if they wanted to meet Gloria, shake her hand. Most were eager to meet and greet her.
In less than a week, she has become a popular member of the class. Children are playing with her in the best of ways. She has her first weekend away with a child this weekend. Mom sent me photos – one was a first – Gloria being potty trained.
Over the years, past parents and children stop by school occasionally. Often they wave and smile when they walk by the classroom. When they see Gloria, magic happens. It’s like finding an old friend after many years.
Maggie, now 15, stopped by to pick up her art work from when she was 4 (stay tuned for that story). I asked her what she remembered about being in the Aqua Room. She said, “The loft in the Big Room, Charlotte’s Web, and Gloria.” I asked her if she’d like to say ‘Hi’ to Gloria. She lit up like a star.
Sarah, a former parent, also visited school this past week. I went to her daughter’s musical last year, and invited her to come and sing to the class. It was wonderful! Her son was the first child to discover the red house in van Gogh’s painting, ‘Starry Night’. I had never seen the red house.
The common thread that always seems to ‘come up’ is Gloria. She has a way of making children, and adults, feel…well, loved. Sarah was very happy to see Gloria.
My favorite picture of Gloria is with fellow blogger, Dan Antion. ‘Dan the Tool Man’ visited the Aqua Room, immediately saw Gloria, and they had a moment. Priceless!
May Gloria continue to spread kindness, joy, and understanding.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Oh, I love Gloria!
I’m so glad! Thanks, Ritu. 💕
Gloria being potty trained is a winner! Made me laugh. 🙂
It made me laugh, too! This was a first.😀
Another wonderful post about my heroin Gloria. Well done gal you’ve won over another year of minds to open. ( Obviously your best spell or is it just your best skill) 💜💜💜
That’s so lovely, Willow. Heroin…💕. Thank you!
She truly is 💜
💕
I love this so much♥️
Thank you!
welcome back, gloria! she is such a treasure, and I love that the children are awed into silence when they first meet her, and for all that she represents
They are, Beth. It’s really wonderful. She’s the best!
Your assistant teacher is back! 🙂 What a wonderful welcome she got. Gloria always reminds me on this famous Italian song from the past. 😉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zs7VWqNGHg Have a nice weekend, Jennie! You are definitely the best, and Gloria cannot really take your place. xx Michael
Yes, she is! Love the song, Michael. Many thanks!
Hurray for Gloria!! Welcome back for a new year of fun and learning. I love the photo of her with Dan.
Thank you, Liz! Big hoorays all the way around. That photo with Dan melts my heart.
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Wow, what a legacy! Love all the pics
Thank you!
I just LOVE Gloria!
I’m so glad, Annette! ❤️
Hooray for another year of Gloria meeting the new Aqua Roomers! She will continue to spread the love. (And the benefits of potty training!)
Best wishes, Pete.
Hi Pete, I wondered how things would go since all the students are new to Gloria this year. Of course she was wonderful, and thank goodness for potty training. 😀
What a story, Jennie. I have never heard the introduction before. How fun for Gloria and the kids.
Thank you, Jacqui. I think she is pushing 30 years in the Aqua Room. I’m glad you enjoyed the introduction. She will have another fun year with children, and be an instrument of teaching kindness and understanding. Way to go, Gloria!
Another batch of kids gets to meet the lovely Gloria. What a beautiful idea this is. Gloria is anything but cute, but the kids learn to love her for her personality and that is an important life lesson. I hope you have a great year with your class this year, Jennie. Gloria will help you through the tough days.
Well said, Anneli. You are spot on. Gloria is the real deal in helping kids. Yes, she will help through the tough days. I might need to take her home on a weekend, too. 💕
She makes school fun for the kids (and probably for you too).
Yes, she does!
I really loved hearing about this introductory encounter with Gloria! Although I’ve read about her for quite some time in your blog posts, I never realized the background behind her personal story. What fortunate children these are to have you as their teacher!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed her backstory. She’s the best!
So nice to see Gloria again, Jennie. Thanks for sharing her love.
Thanks so much, John!
I wish there were more brave-heart Glorias in this world…
I do, too! Thanks, Laura.
I just love how each classroom meets Gloria and how quickly she’s accepted. Love the photo of her on the potty! Lol. And that moment with Dan is fabulous.
She really has a way with the children. Yes, every year she’s welcomed and loved. Maybe that’s because she gives so much love to children. Yes, that moment with Dan…❤️
🙂 ❤
Go Gloria! And go kids – what good teachers you all were! Linda 🙂
Thank you, Linda!
🥰
Each year Gloria reaches more students with her overall messages of promoting kindness and diversity. I really like how you begin her intorduction to the kids with her shy nature as I’m sure that builds empathy.
Who knows what adventures Gloria will write about in her journal this year. Hopefully, not falling in the potty.🤣
She really does spread a message of kindness and diversity, every year. Yes, that opening introduction invites children to help. It works! And who knows what adventures are ahead. Let’s hope she doesn’t fall into the potty! 😅
How was the Author Festival, or is it happening this week?
It was terrific. A few unexpected issues as always, and the weather was dicey coming and going but great while they were here. Post to follow later in the week.
I’m so glad. Looking forward to the post!
Everyone needs a Gloria in their lives.
Amen!
Yes, Diversity 101! I love everything about this!
Thanks so much, Debbie!
Lovely post Jennie. I too loved Gloria she added so much color to each and everyone, big and small. Thanks a lot 👍👍
Well said, Kamal. She does! Thank you. 🙂
This must be so much fun each year to introduce Gloria!
It really is, Becky!
Hi Gloria! You’re so lucky to have Jennie as your mom/friend, who introduces you to so many special little people every year. I got teary-eyed seeing the ‘bigger people’ with their adoration of Gloria. We ALL need a Gloria in our lives. You are brilliant, Jennie.
I still pinch myself when I see the ‘big’ people come by and want to give Gloria a hug. We all (young and old) definitely need a Gloria in our lives! Thanks so much, Pam. 🥰
Gloria might be the best part of your classroom, Jennie. I was going to look for that photo of her with me. Thank you so much for including it in the post. That was a very special moment for me.
Dan, I have often thought about that and I think you are right. I’ll never forget the moment when you saw her and picked her up. I’m so glad you’re happy that I included it in the post. How could I not? Would you like me to email you the photo? It’s one of my treasures, and I know it was a very special moment for you, too.
I would like that. .
Done!
Gloria, through the generations. ❤
Yes! 😍
Always welcome dear Jennie 😊😊🙏
😍
🤗🙏❣️
Hi Jennie, what a glorious post. It is amazing what one remembers from nursery school. I remember Peter and the Wolf and playing instruments while listening to the story.
Hi Robbie, many thanks. I remember Peter and the Wolf, too. Young minds are acute.
They are, but they need nurturing to be the best they can.
Yes, they do! 💕
I love that Gloria is such and integral part of your classroom, Jennie. It’s wonderful to see how much the children love her when they meet her and years later. Great lessons to learn along the way and what a natural way to learn them. Go Gloria!
She is a gem, Carla. He ‘lessons’ are so natural, and she is certainly well loved. Many thanks!