Last Wednesday, John ran out of his class and came to me who was giving out biscuits to the kids from my class. I gave him a biscuit and a stamp, his face lit up and he said "thank you teacher anne!", turning his back and running back into the class. He ran back outside after awhile, looked at me for a brief moment, before I asked "yes john? Is there something I can do for you?" I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he had something to tell me. He said "teacher anne, I sat on a horse today!" His parents came out of the class room after a while to find the both of us chatting happily about his school excursion that morning, with me asking questions and him answering me in careful detail. The parents told me "he'd been so excited to tell you about it for the whole day!" (: 

What I found meaningful about the few minutes I had with John that afternoon, wasn't just the conversation that took place, but the reason why such a conversation could take place, creditting not me, but the love, encouragements and patience John's parents have showered on him, that made him who he is today, a confident and competent John. 

Dear John,

Teacher Anne loves the way you tell me about your day, the way you won't leave out any detail, the sound of excitement in your voice as you speak. Take your time, as your parents always encourage you to, to express, to ask questions, to be heard. It may seem at times that you take a longer time than others, more effort than others, but, don't let anyone hurry you. You're doing well, exceptionally well in fact, especially so in my eyes. Teacher Anne believes that with more practice, you'll find yourself stuttering less, speaking with ease with the wealth of vocabulary and adjectives stored up in you at such a young age. 

Your parents and you, have taught me a beautiful lesson- how much good an adult's "take your time" can do for a child, how time, can be one of the best and most important gifts we can give to our children. I'm regretful for the many times I've hurried a child in my hour long class, to get on with the lesson, to finish the art.  The times I've denied a child's opportunity to talk about something just because it had nothing to do with the lesson. The times I've promised to talk about it later, and yet forgot about it after. I promise though, I'll learn to hurry not, to take time to genuinely listen to what you and your friends have to say, to be sincere in each of the conversations I have with each of you.

Thank you, for the timely reminder. (: 

With Love, 

Teacher Anne

Last Wednesday, John ran out of his class and came to me who was giving out biscuits to the kids from my class. I gave him a biscuit and a stamp, his face lit up and he said "thank you teacher anne!", turning his back and running back into the class. He ran back outside after awhile, looked at me for a brief moment, before I asked "yes john? Is there something I can do for you?" I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he had something to tell me. He said "teacher anne, I sat on a horse today!" His parents came out of the class room after a while to find the both of us chatting happily about his school excursion that morning, with me asking questions and him answering me in careful detail. The parents told me "he'd been so excited to tell you about it for the whole day!" (: 

What I found meaningful about the few minutes I had with John that afternoon, wasn't just the conversation that took place, but the reason why such a conversation could take place, creditting not me, but the love, encouragements and patience John's parents have showered on him, that made him who he is today, a confident and competent John. 

Dear John,

Teacher Anne loves the way you tell me about your day, the way you won't leave out any detail, the sound of excitement in your voice as you speak. Take your time, as your parents always encourage you to, to express, to ask questions, to be heard. It may seem at times that you take a longer time than others, more effort than others, but, don't let anyone hurry you. You're doing well, exceptionally well in fact, especially so in my eyes. Teacher Anne believes that with more practice, you'll find yourself stuttering less, speaking with ease with the wealth of vocabulary and adjectives stored up in you at such a young age. 

Your parents and you, have taught me a beautiful lesson- how much good an adult's "take your time" can do for a child, how time, can be one of the best and most important gifts we can give to our children. I'm regretful for the many times I've hurried a child in my hour long class, to get on with the lesson, to finish the art.  The times I've denied a child's opportunity to talk about something just because it had nothing to do with the lesson. The times I've promised to talk about it later, and yet forgot about it after. I promise though, I'll learn to hurry not, to take time to genuinely listen to what you and your friends have to say, to be sincere in each of the conversations I have with each of you.

Thank you, for the timely reminder. (: 

With Love, 

Teacher Anne