Turkey Touch

Dear Teacher,  

First-grade teacher, Mrs. Klein, was wrapping up a long, chaotic week right before Thanksgiving break. Her classroom was a mosaic of colorful construction paper feathers, stray glue sticks, glitter stuck to the carpet, and the unmistakable hum of twenty-five six-year-olds eagerly waiting for the holiday bell to ring.

Earlier that morning, she had asked her students to trace their hands on brown paper, cut them out, and turn them into "turkeys." On each paper finger, she asked them to write or draw one thing they were thankful for.  Mrs. Klein walked around the tables, reading the sweet, predictable lists: mom, dad, my dog, video games, mac and cheese, my cat.  Then she stopped at Douglas’s desk.

Douglas was a quiet boy who usually kept to himself and rarely looked anyone in the eye. On his paper turkey hand, he hadn’t written a list of toys or foods. Instead, in wobbly, oversized first-grade letters across the palm of the paper hand, he had drawn a simple, clumsy sketch of Mrs. Klein's hand holding his.
Kneeling down beside his desk, she smiled softly and asked, "Douglas, did you draw my hand? Why are you thankful for my hand?"  Douglas looked up with wide, serious eyes and said, "Because when I’m scared or when my writing is messy, you put your hand on my shoulder and help me. It feels safe."

And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, are tangibly touching the lives of your students.  Virtually everything (and everyone) you touch is impacted by you.  Your presence and example make a significant difference in the lives of students.  Even those "turkey" students, with their bad behavior and poor choices, feel the hand you extend through your acts of service, encouragement, and grace.  Thank you for being the hand of God.

Grateful for you,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor