Saving Mankind
Written by kellyt: kelly, make a difference 9 Comments
It’s too hard to wake up happy every day, but most days I can manage it. Last week I mentioned that a former student passed away, but I haven’t elaborated on the details. They’re not that important anyway. I have too many stories in my fairly short career in education of students who have died and many, many more of students I feel slip through my fingers every day.
Like Marcellus who can’t get it together and has spent all of seven days in school this year, but even after an incarceration and three suspensions continues to show up. Of course, he cusses out everyone and calls people names he still came into my office after I intervened between him and a teacher and hugged me. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.” he said. He is, by all societal stereotypical standards, a thug. But he reached out.
Like Hank who can’t seem to stop being sent to the in-house detention and whom I feel small snacks to during the day. A manchild who cried when things got too rough in gym class one day. He calls me J-Lo because once when we went for a walk around the building so he could get rid of some energy he noticed the label in my coat. His demands are maddening and when he has a bad day I can physically feel myself getting tired.
Like Amy who can’t quit fighting with other girls or getting sassy with her teachers and is ruining her chance to be a state track star. She was born to run and has the body of a seasoned, trained sprinter. Her attitude is getting in the way and she can easily blow her shot at a major title, but nothing I say seems to get through to her.
I supposed that making a difference takes time. It’s not about a one-shot deal where the magic words or pills can do the trick right away. It’s unreasonable to assume that those small things we do for people don’t have an impact yet neither can we expect to see results in a turn around time frame that suits us.
Are we saving mankind and wanting to give up simultaneously?
Would we work as hard as we are to make a significant change in another person’s life if we could see into the future and see that what we did didn’t help at all?
How do we make it all better?
Tell me. How do you?
Even though I know it’s worth it, it can be frightening and immense and making a difference makes me long for tomorrow when I can check to see that something small made a dent.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
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November 20th, 2007 at 9:47 am
As usual Kelly you leave me in awe. I think, honestly, that the great teacher is the one who sees beyond bad behavior to the child inside. When my son was in kindergarten there was a bully – a big kid who dominated the playground. I said something to his teacher when I was visiting during recess and she said “I know, he’s hard, but he’s going to be a great civil liberties lawyer or something when he grows up. He just has to get through this.” I have NEVER forgotten that when I’ve met a tough child and it’s clear it’s a lesson you carry in your heart all the time. What a woman!
November 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
A Course in Miracles says that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. The kindness is saved up by the Holy Spirit and presented to the person when they are ready to receive it. Kind of a karma bank, I suppose.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I have a younger sister who is very feisty, rebellious I suppose. I used to think that because I was her older sister, I was the rebel. I moved out of my parents’ house at 18, I didn’t listen to things I didn’t want to hear. But it turns out I was the responsible one. The oldest child who always took care of her younger siblings. And now my little sister is always in trouble, always doing what she wants with caution thrown to the wind.
My parents are at the end of their shared rope. So I always feel like I have to save her. Over and over again, I nudge her in the right direction. I drop the hints that she should try things in a different way, be more responsible, listen to reason. Over and over and over. Even when I want to give up and say, “I don’t care anymore. Let her screw up. Maybe she’ll learn her lesson.” I still hope and pray and worry and nudge and lecture and try, try, try to help her. Save her. And even when it seem hopeless, I still think the greater reward will come with time. After all, if I give up, who will fight for her? Who will teach her to fight for herself and do what’s right?
I don’t know if I’m succeeding, but that glimmer of hope that says one day things will change for the better keeps me going.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:10 am
I believe that an act of kindness is as transformational for the giver as it is for the receiver. If you want to change the world, change yourself, you know? I think it is important to do it just because.
Do it for you! And do it some more.
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Between this post and Dana’s response I’m really on the verge of tears. It is so hard to try, try, try. Especially when the person you are trying to help/teach/save doesn’t want it. It’s easy when it’s your child (or a child you are teaching, I suppose) to say that you are the adult and must persevere despite their reluctance. But, Dana, I’m in awe of you. When do you decide that the person is old enough and their rejection is real and your help is meddling? So hard, so hard.
November 26th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Kelly it must be frustrating to not know whether what you do today will make a difference tomorrow in a student’s life but you know what? YOU ARE PHYSICALLY THERE and I think that is an important key in making a difference. You have my admiration.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I had a couple of teachers that kept me sane in elementary and high school, and there are two teachers that my older daughter has had (she is now only 11) who have really been everything to her (and me). Your determination makes you a good person, your absolute dedication in the face of the unknown outcome makes you a hero in my eyes.