Hi! I'm a preschool teacher at a urban non-profit center, located in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati. I have fifteen children in my classroom, all of which are technically from poverty, including one who is currently living in a homeless shelter. Most of my children live with their hard-working single moms. I am a first year teacher, and I have worked here for about two and a half months. My job has become so interesting that I have decided to start blogging ideas, experiences, etc. Some days are really tough, but some are wonderful.
Today, I actually had a great day. My children have played really well together all morning, and even participated in circle time. We spent almost an hour in the park by our center, and played with shaving cream and food coloring inside (they love this). The only problem I faced today was a student of mine threw up during lunch time. Everywhere. And very casually. I was worried about him, checked his temperature and helped clean him up. He did not have a fever, and said that he felt okay. I think he threw up, because this particular student of mine tends to eat A LOT and quickly. He will often eat two-three bowls of cereal for breakfast or several servings during lunch. He usually shovels them down quickly and asks for more.
I started to make the connection today that this four-year-old boy lives in a homeless shelter with his mom and siblings. I don't know how much he gets to eat, and I don't know how often. At first, I was sad that he was sick, but now I feel saddened that he lives such an unpredictable life where little is certain. He may not know how much he will get to eat for dinner or even where he's going to sleep that night necessarily, but I do want him to know that whenever he is at school, he is more than welcome to have snacks and eat regularly and plentifully. Sure, I want to prevent projectile vomiting, but I mostly want him to know that I am 100% here to meet his needs and that I care about him.
Your so sweet Faith! This made me a little teary-eyed, it sucks seeing people, especially children in that type of situation. The older I get, the more I look at people differently. I often find myself questioning why they didnt have the same opportunities I did to succeed in life and it breaks my heart. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks. Thank you for doing your part to help out this child, and the others in your class. You may never know the full impact you have on each of their lives but know that you ARE making a difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bradley! I know what you mean about the different opportunities in life. We all have different walks of lives with different sets of issues and challenges. It's so important to realize that it's not about what we have done until we can acknowledge where we come from.
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