Hey everyone! It’s been a while, but life is crazy! I am now
11 weeks into my first year teaching Kindergarten. It’s definitely an exhilarating
roller coaster ride, but so worth it! Over the past few days, I have done some
reflecting on some things I have done and decisions I have made both in the
classroom and my personal life. Through this period of introspection, I have
found a common theme: the power of the word YES. It is so easy to say “no” or “not
now” or “I don’t have time,” that YES is so powerful. The word YES is just as
important to my crew of 5-6 year olds as it is to me. Below are some scenarios
and reasons why YES is so significant and wonderful and oh so worth it.
Saying YES to my Kindergarteners
Ms. Huntsman, can you
take a picture of us?
Yes. I say yes to this as often as I can because pictures
capture memories. It is so easy to say “no,” while we’re on the playground or
in class working in small groups because it forces me to stop whatever else I’m
doing, but the “yes” means so much to them. They are asking me for a picture
because they are proud of what they have created, are being kind, think they
look good, or believe something is really cool. Saying yes to a simple picture
validates my kiddos’ positive feelings about themselves. Plus, they’re just so
cute.
Ms. Huntsman, can I see
the picture you just took?
Yes. At first, I would say “not right now,” or “maybe later,”
but after showing a few kids pictures I had taken of them and seeing their faces
light up or one of my little girls looking at her picture and saying, “oohh
pretty,” I stick to saying yes to this request.
Ms. Huntsman, can I
hold your hand?
Yes. Sometimes, allowing a child to hold my hand whether we’re
at the zoo, in the hallway, or walking back from recess is so much more
important than making sure they are perfectly in line. There’s a reason that
kiddo feels the need to hold my hand at that moment, and oftentimes, it’s that
little bit of affection, comfort, or silent reassurance that child needs to go
about their day in a positive manner. Whether or not I hold a child’s hand can
literally be the difference between them having a good rest of their day and
them spiraling into an emotional disaster they cannot explain.
Ms. Huntsman, can you
read my library book as today’s read aloud before Specials?
Yes. This is probably my most important “yes” of my year
thus far. The child that asked me this just wanted someone to read her library
book to her. She reads the words she knows and fills in the rest by analyzing
the pictures, but unlike the rest of my kids, her mom doesn’t read her library
book to her at night because she can’t read English. I wish I could say that
reading her book as our read aloud before Specials was my idea. It wasn’t. It
was hers. All I had to do was say YES. And to think that I almost said “no, we
have to do _____ before Specials today.” That precious angel thinks I made her
day by saying YES. She said, “Thank you so much for reading my book today,”
with the biggest smile and brightest brown eyes. What she doesn’t know is she
actually made mine.
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our
children teach us what life is all about.” –Angela Schwindt
Saying YES to myself and my adult(ish) friends
Will you go to the
football game with me?
Yes. You might think this is an easy one for me because I
LOVE college football and my Frogs. However, it’s not always an easy “yes.”
Tickets are expensive and I have lesson plans to write, a classroom to organize,
parents to email, etc. I could come up with hundreds of reasons to say “no,”
but every time I go to a game I have a blast. I’m able to enjoy being with some
of my best friends and get to forget about my responsibilities as a “grown up”
with a real job…if even just for an evening. Sometimes, it’s not about the
money or my full plate. It’s about letting go, enjoying myself, loving on my
friends, and letting them love on me.
Can we do
Friendsgiving?
YES. If you haven’t been following my posts, I was in the
same Bible Study with the same ladies for four years. Every year of college
(except maybe 1), we had Friendsgiving at our Bible Study Leader’s house. Once
we graduated, much of our crew dispersed across the country, pursuing their
careers and living out their passions. Lucky for me, there are still a few of
us in DFW. Even though we are all crazy busy with jobs, grad school, and
adulting, we were able to set aside time to get together and continue our
tradition. This is so important because these women have been by my side
through the good, bad, and ugly. They keep me grounded while giving me grace at
the same time. They are encouragers who point me back to the Father. How could
I say “no” when given a chance to fellowship with them? Answer: I won’t.
In a world filled with hectic schedules, deadlines, standardized testing, and pressing agendas, be the YES that
a child hears…or the YES that you allow yourself to hear. Sometimes, “no” is so
much easier, but YES means so much more.
Have a great rest of your week and enjoy Thanksgiving!
Yours truly,
Steph
