When I have time to do nice things for people, I really try to do them. Othewise, I come across as lazy and uncaring and that only works for me if you’re paying me a salary with benefits. Then, I don’t care so much.
C’mon. You know me by now. That just can’t be true. Why else would I choose to teach in a low-income school as opposed to the high-end private school where I previously taught. In truth, I got what I wanted to out of that job: experience. Having Mallory as a student for two years was great, too. (Of course, she needs to write her own blog on that escapade to get an honest look at how that worked out.) At one time, I realized that I spent 55 uninterrupted minutes with other people’s children and I wanted to have my own in my class to teach them the exciting things that the other students got to learn. (Yes. I’m an exciting teacher. Rather, I’m excited. Someone once called me a “whirling dervish” when he observed my teaching style.) For once, I drove to work with all three of my kids in tow and we were always in the same building. It also allowed me to meet Allen and when I consider all I learned from him… well, he would have made it worth it if they paid me in peanuts.
Witnessing the hardships that poor students go through is enough to make me take a mental health day once in a while. Being nice to those students who may never see another person smile all day long is rewarding. Teachers aren’t in this for the money. If they don’t get the fundamental intrinsic recompense, then they are pilfering their life away and should find another career quickly.
It’s not the money. It’s the relationships with people. Young people. Honest-to-God real people whose thoughts are always right there. There’s no hiding how they feel at times and when they learn something you have struggled to teach them and you physically see their face light up because they have FINALLY UNDERSTOOD A CONCEPT that you struggled with getting them to understand, you know your heart will be blown to bits by the forthcoming smile. Sometimes, there’s squealing and jumping up and down.
If you weren’t a whirling dervish prior to this, you certainly are now.
Because a student has GOTTEN IT.
Yet, I know they must go home to cold houses, poor meals, and responsibilities that their young bodies accept without question simply because they have to do so.
At this time of year it seems that we always start sending e-mails to one another. Some of them are humorous and holiday-related like the cards I’ve been sending people from the Time Waster that Mason and I found the other night. Too often, however, they are much more heart-wrenching.
“I’m worried about so-and-so because his family has left him in charge of his younger brother…”
“Does anyone have a size 12 coat for a girl? I saw so-and-so on the playground and she was nearly blue from being frozen and she only had on a thin shirt.”
“Does anyone remember so-and-so? He’s in high school now and just got kicked out of his house. What can we do to help?”
Not only are these typical, they’ve been the messages inundating my work e-mail for the past two weeks. I work with some of the most generous people because they are all willing to do something. Quite often, we say things like this in education: “If I could only help ONE child…” The problem with that is that there is always more than just the one child to help. Doctors don’t utter this. If I could only get that one surgical procedure right ONE time. Pilots don’t pronounce this. If I could just land the plane without going off the runway ONE time.
I’m leaving comments open for ONE day. For every comment I get I’m donating ONE dollar to a fund I’m creating for the students named in the title and I will split it up for them so they can have a Christmas. That’s it. Just so they can have A CHRISTMAS.
For every person who sends me a card from that colossal time waster I linked earlier, I will donate three dollars. Maybe not so much a time waster after all. Maybe it’s just nice.
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Oh, look. Janice snuck in, too. (By the way, I’m even going to count MYSELF each time I post so I’m in for three bucks). Hey. If it passes 100, it passes 100.
Yes, very serious.
And each of my posts count, too.
What a great idea! You are so generous! I hope these kids have a great Christmas!
This is what Christmas is all about. I read your site often, this is why, you are awesome, you have a heart, I wish you could have been one of my teachers.
Teaching truly is the best profession around. One of the hardest and most gut-wrenching, but the best.
I often have students say how lucky they feel to be on my team and in my class. I always respond with, “Well, I’m lucky that you’re in my class, too. What a positive difference you make in this class!” Their beaming faces tell it all, and it gives my heart a good warming over.
Well, I did both! You’re doing a nice thing. Merry Christmas!
Mocha,
I’ve been sneaking around here for ages. This got me to post. As a college kid (I’m Mallory’s age) I can’t offer to match your donations. Although I would love to … I really really want to. BUT if you post a way to send donations to you I will send what I can.
This idea exemplifies the holiday season — and the size of heart that you, and your readers, have.
Merry Christmas!
I work in a poor public school too, so I know where you are coming from. Those kids are lucky to have you!
Well, I hope my card comes through, and I hope you can afford all the cards and comments!!lol I think this is wonderful, and I wish there was a way for me to send something to add to yours. If there is, let us know! You’re an inspiration to all of us, with the way you care for your kids.
Hugs,
Jean
I came across your blog a few months ago and have been lurking ever since. I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts and decided to come “out of the closet” for such a wonderful and generous gift you offer. This is what Christmas is all about.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I truly hope that what goes around comes around. You truly deserve to be smothered in good stuff.
Delurking to say that this touched my heart in ways you will never know. I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time- sometimes I laugh and sometimes I cry, but I always enjoy the time. Thank you for all you do. Merry Christmas.
Miranda and Mocha – I’m in. I’ll match whatever you get Mocha.
She’s making a list and checking it twice……..Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!!!!!!
You truly have a great heart. May you be blessed richly during the Christmas season.
it must’ve been some of your good karma that made me click a link somewhere on someone’s blog that brought me to you on this very day. Kids are very lucky to have even one whirling dervish-type teacher in their life- thank you for doing what you do.
I’m willing to kick in to help too – if that’s possible.
This is mighty nice of you, MM.
I went to the time waster site. After about 3 “Loading” bars, I gave up. Too much loading!!
You are amazing and inspiring and I simply adore you
Thank you for making a difference 
Hmmm… let’s see how many people I can scare up for comments. And I sent a card, too. (Poor web site design on their part, if things take that long.) Anyway, thanks Mocha. This is really special.
This is a good thing you’re doing. I’ll even pay the dollars that I cost you if you ask me to.
I’m in awe of you!
My partner and I are doing this for 2 kids through our church. You go girl!
Blessings.
I hope the three children you have listed have a very merry holiday season. Thanks for adding to the goodness of the season. What a blessing people like you are! Merry Christmas!
I can’t let such a great cause and idea pass by without taking part, even if it’s just a little bit and a bit late in the game. But this has been such a truly terrible week that it would please me to no end to use my comment-hogging ways to do some good for once.
Let’s begin.
“When I was down beside the sea,
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.”
- “At the Sea-Side” by Robert Louis Stevenson
“As from the house your mother sees
You playing round the garden trees,
So you may see, if you will look
Through the windows of this book,
Another child, far, far away,
And in another garden, play.
But do not think you can at all,
By knocking on the window, call
That child to hear you. He intent
Is all on his play-business bent.
He does not hear; he will not look,
Nor yet be lured out of his book.
For, long ago, the truth to say,
He has grown up and gone away,
And it is but a child of air
That lingers in the garden there.”
-”To Any Reader” from “A Child’s Garden of Verses” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Oh, did I mention that I’m planning to send you a check – one dollar for every comment I make. Sorry, forgot that bit.
“Suddenly Christopher Robin began to tell Pooh about some of the things: People called Kings and Queens and something called Factors, and a place call Europe, and an island in the middle of the sea where no ships ;come, and how you make a Suction Pump (if you want to), and when Knights were Knighted, and what comes from Brazil. And Pooh, his back against one of the sixty-something trees, and his paws folded in front of him, said “Oh!” and “I didn’t know,” and thought how wonderful it would be to have Real Brain which could tell you things.”
-from “The House at Pooh Corner” by A. A. Milne
“…Eeyore was saying to himself, ‘This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated, if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it.’ ”
-from “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A. A. Milne
“Rabbit’s clever,” said Pooh thoughtfully.
“Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit’s clever.”
“And he has Brain.”
“Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has Brain.”
There was a long silence.
“I suppose,” said Pooh, “That that’s why he never understands anything.”
-from “The House at Pooh Corner” (and one of my favorite quotes) by A. A. Milne
“Owl,” said Rabbit shortly, “you and I have brains. The others have fluff. If there is any thinking to be done in this Forest – and when I say thinking I mean thinking – you and I must do it.”
“Yes,” said Owl. “I was.”
-from “The House at Pooh Corner” by A. A. Milne
“I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate;
Those that I guard I do no love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balance all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.”
- “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death” by W.B. Yeats
“Turn and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.”
-from “The Second Coming” by W.B. Yeats
“They were women then
My Mama’s generation
Husky of voice – Stout of
Step
With fists as well as
Hands
How they battered down
Doors
And ironed
Starched white
Shirts
How they led
Armies
Headragged Generals
Across minded
Fields
Booby-trapped
Ditches
To discover books
Desks
A place for us
How they knew what we
Must know
Without knowing a page
Of it
Themselves.
I shall write of the old men
I knew
And the young men
I loved
And of the gold toothed women
Mighty of arm
Who dragged us all
To church.”
-”Women” by Alice Walker (sorry if I got the indention off, I’m taking this from a blank book of poems I kept at a junior high student.)
Your students are very lucky.
Have a great Christmas,
Tom
“Can you see me?
Or do you just see the color of my skin?
Can you see me?
Or do you just see the way I talk or the way I act?
Can you see me?
Can you see that I am human too?
Can you see me?
Or am I just on your path to success?
Can you see me?
If you knew I was hurt, would you comfort me?
Can you see me?
Or would you walk away without a word?
Can you see me?
How long must I take the pain you are giving me?
How long must I wait until you can see me?”
-”Can You See Me” by me, actually, when I was in 7th grade. Kind of presumptuous to put myself after Alice Walker, but the topic seems appropriate to the matter at hand.
“Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That can not fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.”
-”Dreams” by Langston Hughes
“I said in my heart, ‘I am sick of four walls and a ceiling.
I have need of the sky.
I have business with the grass.
I will up and get me away where the hawk is wheeling,
Lone and High,
And the slow clouds go by…’ ”
-from “Spring” by Richard Hovey
“He ate and drank the precious words.
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!”
-”Precious Words” by Emily Dickinson
(Sorry Lady, tis 1 AM here and I gotta go to bed. Good luck with the rest of your night and keep an eye out for my Christmas card…by my count I owe you at least $13. Oh, and thank you for allowing me a space for some Lit Therapy.)
I’m still awake and at work…does this count as a post?! My quote of the day: “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” – Douglas Adams.
You totally rock my world on many levels for doing this. Thank you. I hope those kids have a not-so-shite Xmas.
You know, this is totally unfair. I did not see this until 0017. I’ve been stuck at work all day long.
Unfair, I tell you!!!
Have I mentioned that you are just amazing, Kelly? I hope your family sees you for the role model you are.
Another lurker saying thanks!
De-lurking to thank you for doing this!!!!!
Hello, Kelly!
First off, very good thing to do here!
Hey, watch your email!@ reasons:
A) I sent you the time waster!
B) I’m sending you something from the American Diabetes Assoc., the link to my Tour de Cure page. It’s also at my blog! I am riding Tour de Cure in July.
By the way, Illinois will be having a TdC event….good excuse to ride!
You are amazing…email me your address…I would like to send you some money for your fund…it wont be much….but it will be something.
You are a good soul.
Comment whore! 96?!?! Well, now it’s 97….you must stop by and see my holiday eating tips. Some good advice I tell you!
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