A Teacher's Reflections

I’m always a bit nervous with excitement when Gloria makes her ‘debut’ in the classroom.  I know the children will welcome her because every year she is loved from Day One.  Today was no exception.  Frankly, it was wonderful.  She has a new bed, and children carefully covered her.  They held her, loved her, and accepted her for who she is – different on the outside, but the same as us on the inside.  

Here is the letter we sent to parents today:

Introducing Gloria, our Aqua Room Friend
October 11th, 2023

Gloria was introduced to your children today.  She came to Morning Meeting, reluctantly, because she is very shy.  After all, some people have called her a witch, so it is no wonder she needed coaxing to meet the Aqua Roomers.  Gloria is old, has wrinkly skin and gray hair, and is very fond of black.  Actually, black is her favorite color, along with a pointy hat and pointy shoes.  Gloria is our classroom puppet, yet she is very real to all the children.  She represents all the things that children feel.  Because she is different, she helps children develop an understanding of others.

When she arrived, your children didn’t know what to think.  No one said a word, and there were many wide eyes.  When we talked about Gloria, children wondered if she was a witch.  That was the perfect door to open!  Gloria herself jumped in to talk (finally), and she told them how people had called her a witch.  “Well, I’m not a witch.  I just like black.  It’s my favorite color.  My skin is wrinkly, and my hair is gray and sticky-uppy-outy.”  Then children started to look to Gloria directly, eye to eye, and Gloria responded in kind. One child said, “Gloria, do you want to wear my sunglasses?”  Then she introduced herself.  Gloria wanted to learn the names of your children, and asked each child if she could shake their hand.  Well, children stayed by her side after the handshake.  Many surrounded the teacher chair, and the conversations kept going.  There were spontaneous hugs and fist bumps.  Gloria has photos in her journal over many years.  She has been everywhere!  She even showed us her blankie (peace quilt) and her very own bed (aqua, of course.)

This was powerful.  What transpired in our classroom in less than thirty minutes is what can sometimes take years for people to learn; caring and acceptance.  Gloria is different, yet she has the same feelings that we all do.  She is a good friend.  Your children were able to look beyond her appearance and see her for what she truly is.

A child rushed over to hold her and cover her.  A group gathered to play with her.  They were careful and gentle; it made teachers smile to stand back and watch.  Children were helping Gloria.  She is being looked after.  She is a new friend.

Gloria will quickly become a close member of the Aqua Room.  She will be the one who understands, or perhaps the one who has problems.  She will be fun, sometimes silly, and may look to your children for a hug.  If you want to know more about Gloria, she has a journal of her weekends with Aqua Roomers.  Please tell her hello when you’re in the classroom.

Warmly,

Jennie, Heidi, and Naomi