School Pictures

9 out of 10 students at my Title 1 elementary school come from families whose income level meets the federal guidelines for economic poverty.

Paola, an immigrant kid from El Salvador, is one of them.

She is in 1st grade and lives in a small apartment with her grandma, mom, sister and uncle.

The adults in her little family earn less than $26,170 a year.

As her teacher, I struggle against her life-crushing poverty with all of the compassion, creativity and commitment in me.

I’m aware of her poverty.

But today I celebrate her riches.

She is the most valuable kid in the world. (Well, truly, each kid is the most valuable kid in the world, huh?)

She is a first-grade hero.

I wish you could see her compassionate eyes, intuitive mind and ginormous heart.

She meets a new student named Nicholas.

“Hi,” she whispers to him as he sits down beside her. “I’m glad you’re in our class.”

She doesn’t know the story of the suffering that brings him to our school, but perhaps she recognizes something familiar in his taut face, quivering voice and shaking hands.

“This is your journal. It goes in your desk, like this,” she explains.

“These are our crayons and markers. You can use them if you want to. Don’t worry. There’s lots to learn. I’ll help you.”

She reaches out to him.

I’m so thankful for her empathy.

In this moment, she is my teacher and I am her student.

Later, I sit beside her in the lunchroom.

“What made you want to help Nicholas?” I ask.

“Oh, I remember when I was the new student,” she says. “And sometimes I feel the way he looked when he sat down beside me. I just wanted to be kind to him. It helps when people are kind to each other. He’s my neighbor, you know.”

I know.

Yep, I’m aware of Paola’s poverty.

But I’m aware of her riches, too.

I curse her poverty and will fight like hell for free and reduced school breakfasts and lunches, quality public schools, and universal health care.

I bless her soft heart.

I’m thankful it’s full of empathy for the world around her.

I’m thankful for her.

Thanks for showing me the way, Paola.