from trevor’s encyclopedia of lost and beautiful things

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, a kid from El Salvador, is one of them. 

She is 6 years old and is in 1st grade.

She lives in a small, one room apartment with her grandma, mom, sister and uncle. 

As her teacher, I struggle against her poverty with all of the compassion, creativity and commitment inside of me.

I’m aware of her poverty.

Today, though, I celebrate her riches.

She might be economically poor, but 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 eyes, mind and heart.

They are filled with beauty, ingenuity, wonder and courage.

She is amazingly awesome and awesomely amazing.

Let me tell you a story about her.

She met a new student named Billy.

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

She didn’t know the story of the suffering that brought him to our school.

I knew.

Perhaps she recognized something familiar in his taut face, quivering voice and shaking hands.

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

“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 reached out to him. 

I’m astonished at her empathy. 

And very thankful for it.

And very thankful for her.

In that moment, she was my teacher and I was her student.

Later on in the day, I sat down beside her in the lunchroom.

“What made you want to help Billy?” I asked.

“Oh, I remember when I was the new student,” she said. 

“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 ways to make her life more whole.

I bless her soft heart and will fight like heaven for ways to keep it that way.

Thanks for showing me the way, Paola.

You’re my hero.