What an amazing story. Those are the teachers we need more of. Not that I’m blaming any teachers who are getting out now, of course, what with current events. But what a difference he made in those kids’ lives!

The longer I teach, the more I value the power of simple silence and time to think and reflect. Kids really want to do the right thing, they just get caught up sometimes. They are children, after all.

The older I get (and I’m pretty darned old) the more I realize how clueless and unprepared I was for the world at that age. A lot depends on what kids get at home too…thank goodness for those who choose to teach.

What was the term you used the other day – not fully myelined?

I have found that calmly expressed disappointment- the younger the better – is a good way to help children think about their actions. My father was a master at it, I did my best to emulate him with my own daughter. For the record, she turned out pretty good and is a wonderful mum and foster parent.
They are just children and *everyone* needs to help them build the myelin sheath.