Gloria has been visiting Zeb the zebra in Missouri. Back in January, Zeb came to visit Gloria in Massachusetts. Both were lonely, and together their friendship blossomed – thanks to the children.
Children – that’s the magic word. It was the children who welcomed Zeb into the Aqua Room (big time!) Now the tables have turned, and again it is the children in Missouri who have welcomed Gloria.
Oh my, in my wildest dreams I never imagined that Gloria would have such an impact on many children. Zeb’s mommy, Karla @ http://www.flannelwithfaith.com is a substitute and special needs teacher at many schools in her district. She took Gloria to her classrooms.
OMG! Magic happened!
I’m getting ahead of myself…
When Gloria first arrived she was glued to Zeb.
Then she bonded with Zeb’s mom
She even bonded with Zeb’s grandparents.
How wonderful!
Gloria visited many schools. In fact, Zeb’s mom said, “I can’t tell you enough how much I’ve enjoyed (and the TWO HUNDRED kids, approximately) Gloria!”
Yes… Gloria spent time in schools with children. Two hundred. A picture is worth a thousand words; here are pictures that tell a story. Well, many stories. I was quite moved (big understatement!) I share Karla’s words with each photo.
“The one black haired boy NEEDED Gloria.”
“Piper the girl wanted me to tell you how happy she was
that Gloria read HER poem
(I told Gloria what a writer Piper is.)”
“Kids of all ages LOVE Gloria. I told them all about you, the Aqua Roomers, and Ms. Gloria’s love of HUGS! The students always want to know about her.”
From snack to reading, Gloria was ‘there’.
Waiting for students…and they finally arrive!
“Yesterday Gloria rode with friends to Branson, Missouri.
Oh, the fun Gloria has had.
She went to my FAVORITE Italian in Branson.”
I have made a book for school. I can’t wait to read it to the children! Gloria is on her way back home to Massachusetts. We can’t wait to see her and hear about her adventures.
“Educating the mind without educating
the heart is no education at all.”
~Aristotle~
Thank you for educating the heart, Gloria.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This truly wonderful 💜💜
Thank you, Willow. It made my school year! 💕
You are so wonderful 💜💜💜
🥰
This absolutely made my day. What an amazing ambassador Gloria is!
I’m so glad, Barb. It made my school year! Yes, what an ambassador Gloria is!
Wonderful 🙏🎸
Thank you.
What a wonderful adventure Gloria has had!! The children will love to hear all about it. Gloria is becoming a traveller just like Amanda. xo
Her adventure has been amazing! I’ll have to tell Gloria all about Amanda! 😀
Gloria spreads happiness no matter where she goes!
She does, GP! 😀
gloria is someone who brings people of all ages together and has clearly become a traveling ambassador!
She does, Beth, and now she has reached a new level. I am thrilled!
Goodness, the bright faces on the kids in these pictures. Gloria is spreading a lot of joy in her travels! 🌞
She is, Dave. This is her ‘biggest’ trip in over 30 years, and I’m thrilled to see her spread joy in a grand way.
Gloria the star! Gloria is such a gift to children and adults, Jennie. I’m glad you guys let her travel. Sharing a gift is a remarkable act of kindness.
She really is the star. In all her years, she has never spread her wings/joy/kindness so far, to so many. It was wonderful!
What a fantastic experience for the children in Missouri, and Gloria.
Yes, indeed!
I love the quote from Aristotle. Coming from a retired teacher and special ed assistant, that is so true. What a wonderful trip!
Thank you! Yes, you definitely know. Gloria gets home in a few days, so we can relive every event.
That is just amazing, Jennie. What an impact I never would have expected.
I feel exactly the same way, Jacqui. Thank you!
Gloria rocks, Jennie, whether she is in school or off visiting friends,
Everybody, old and young needs a Gloria. Mine is a wonderful Snoopy that a granddaughter crocheted for me when she was only eleven. It sits in my room and is the first thing I see when I wake, the last when I sleep.
She does rock, Don, everywhere. You are right that everybody needs a Gloria. The photos of those students is proof. I am moved.
Thank you for telling me about Snoopy. Yes, you have a Gloria! Lucky you.
Hooray for Gloria on her road trip! Your book idea is wonderful, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete!
I love how you use Gloria to relate to kids.
I’m so glad, Anneli. She is the best!
I was showing the Captain how Gloria is part of your program just like the Boo Bear was in mine, and we had some good smiles and chuckles of admiration for you as we watched Gloria “do her thing.”
Awww… what a nice memory for you and the Captain. I’m so glad you had Boo Bear; I bet Gloria would have loved him.
They would have made a great team.
Yes!
I didn’t know that Gloria wants to be a teacher! You’ve mentored her well.
I didn’t know either! Thank you, Liz. She has been around a long time, so she has seen a lot of teaching.
Absolutely! She’s already doing her student teaching.
Yes! 😀
I love Gloria adventures and how students relate to her.
I do, too. Thank you, John.
😊
You had a great event, Jennie! Having fun and being satisfied is the best for kids and adults. I adore your wonderful ideas! Best wishes, Michael
Thank you so much, Michael!
It looks like Gloria wasn’t the only one that enjoyed her trip to Missouri. How wonderful for everyone involved. I know the aqua roomers will be thrilled to see her again.
Yes on both counts! 😀
This story needs to go in your book, Jennie. Love your big teaching heart!
I was thinking the same thing. Pete. Thank you!
Oh, Jennie! Words can’t express my gratitude to you and Gloria! I miss her and thought about getting in the box with her to come and see you. “Surprise!” Gloria told me how much you’ve taught her! She spreads love and encouragement wherever she goes! This bond will stand the test of time because it’s sealed in nothing but goodness and love! Kids of all ages won’t forget her! After my May news, I’ll be sharing all about her trip too! Jennie, you inspire me. When I was diagnosed with my stage 4 cancer almost 3 years ago, I thought going back into classrooms would never happen again. Not only am I able to go back, but because of you, Gloria added spectacular moments with students! You remind me that no matter our age and situations, we can create goodness in our parts of this world! Finley, Zeb, Heart, and I love you and the Aqua Roomers! Thank you thank you! ❤️💕🤗🤗 🦓
Karla, I am filled with happiness reading your words. Thank you! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is knowing Gloria made such a difference with the children. It was more than I dreamed. She really has a gift, and children of all ages are benefiting. Thank goodness you are back in the classroom and shared Gloria. It’s clear as a bell to me that it was meant to be, and in the hands of God. I just love how it all unfolded for you. Hugs to Zeb and Finley and Heart! Thank you, Karla! 😍
It’s MY blessing, dear Jennie!! THANK YOU! Big hugs and love to all of you!!! 💗❣️🙏🏼🥰
❤️ 💕 😍 🥰
How wonderful that Gloria gets to share her love around.
It really is amazing! Thank you, Norah.
What a wonderful adventure for Gloria and all who met her. Nice to see the cheery, yellow scrapbook of photographs, too.
Thanks so much, Marcia. Yes, what a wonderful adventure. I’m glad you liked the cheery yellow scrapbook of photos. It was the right color! And, the faces of the children tell it all. 😀
Great adventure for Gloria! Nice to see that even older students were happy to spend time with her.
Yes, and yes! Thank you, Karma.
Wonderful photos! Gloria is such an ambassador!
She really is! Many thanks!
What an adventurous life Gloria lives. It’s quite amazing how the kids love her.
Yes, and yes! Thank you, Robbie.
So amazing how Gloria is sharing the love around. ❤
Yes, very much so. 💕
Gloria is famous with everyone and so nice to see these wonderful pictures of everyone. Thanks a lot Jennie 😊
Thanks so much, Kamal. She really is! 🙂
What an adventure! Gloria is impacting the lives of hundreds of kids. Who would have thought. Thanks for sharing Gloria’s latest story, Jennie. ❤
Yes, who would have thought? I’m still blown away at all the students who embraced her. Thank you, Diana!
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️❤️
😍
💕💕💕
Thank you for this wonderful post, Jennie!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Maybe you could publish a children’s book series about Gloria and her friends.
I’ve thought about, Andrew. On a bigger front, I want to write a book on all my teaching adventures, from Gloria to Milly the Quilter, to Kelly Clarkson…so many stories over 40+ years. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Jennie.
This sound so wonderful, Jennie! I think one time Gloria will also have a own book series like Amanda’s journeys by Darlene (Foster). Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much, Michael! You make a good point about Gloria stories. I love Darlene’s Amanda books. 🙂
:-))