The flowers and cookies are for his teacher. She was the first teacher he was absolutely, totally in love with. His love stemmed from many tiny instances of care and compassion he experienced during that year in her classroom. There were small moments, like the daily hugs received as he entered and exited the room. And there were larger moments, like the first day he walked in with hearing aids, and the teacher welcomed him into the circle and invited his friends to see the new devices that were going to help him be a bigger part of the classroom. His teacher called the children over to scoot up close to look at him, and, under her guidance, tell him how excited they were for his new “super-ears.”
Teachers, particularly ones that work with such a young age, can be seen as superheroes by their students. And this hero status is what leads to a tiny five-year-old standing tall in a flower section, holding tight to the most precious gift he can give. That teacher was his son’s hero, because she showed him that even in a challenging classroom environment, he was seen, and he mattered.
This month begins a transition into the most challenging experience teachers have ever faced. Even if they are seeing their students in person, they are seeing them behind masks and at arm’s length. I can imagine many teachers are longing to be able to reach out and hug their students on the first day of school and tell them everything is going to be alright.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and bless the extraordinary faith in teachers to find a way to show all students that they are seen and that they matter. Let us pray for teachers as we begin this year, that God may grace them with the vision and the fortitude needed to navigate these ever-changing circumstances. And may God remind them daily that they have superhero status in the eyes of children—and in the eyes of the children’s parents as well.
