Stuck at Stop

Dear Teacher,  

It was early September when Marin and David were in the hospital for his chemo infusions.  Regularly, they received a security alert every morning around the same time.  In opening the camera, they saw a child sitting at the edge of their driveway with cars rapidly zooming by.  When watching the footage, they realized a middle-schooler was daily dropped off by a parent, followed soon after by a school bus.  Somehow, the school district had assigned their property as a school bus pick-up location.   

Penelope, now known as the "School Bus Kid," felt anxiety in being on someone's property, so made it a point to stay as close to the edge of the driveway as possible.  David,  however, would not stand for it.  Stuck in his hospital bed, he ordered a bench for weekend-installation far from the street and deep into their yard. As the camera later showed, Penelope jumped up and down when she arrived Monday to find the appointed seat, complete with a sign that said "Bus Stop."

From that point on, there was the Domino-effect of thoughtfulness.  Next came a Lending Library, filled with books that she poured through.  In gratitude, Penelope set a handwritten note on the bench for Marin and David to find.  And on it went.  A bag of chips as an after-school snack.  A thoughtfully drawn picture with preteen creativity.  Little acts of kindness that changed the life of a student in need.  As Penelope put it, "Thank you so much for putting that bench there!  Now I don't have to worry about dirt and bugs[,] I appreciate it a ton!"  What a BIG IMPACT!

And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, notice the little needs of your students.  Your internal alarm alerts you when a mood is off, or a greeting is unmet.  You zoom into the dip in academics or a pivot in friendship dynamics.  You clue-in to parental exchanged and family drama.

And, just like David, you take action.  Despite whatever emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual battles you may have going on, you can't stand by without meeting kids' needs!  It may not be bench-building, but it's likely relationship-building.  It may not involve a Bus Stop sign, but you're always on the lookout for a sign of need.  It may not be stocking a backyard bookshelf, but you likely stock a classroom supply cupboard with snacks and essentials.  Whatever your little acts of kindness are, they Domino-effect into your students' lives for BIG IMPACT that, quite literally, can make them jump for joy.  


Bench-building with you,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor