“Choose 3 words from this character traits list to describe yourself,” I instructed my group of 4th graders. “Then tell me why you chose those words. I’d like to know.”
Danny looked silently and thoughtfully at the words.
“Would anyone like to share one of your words?” I asked.
Danny raised his hand.
He has a speech impediment and speaks in a wonderful blend of Spanish and English.
I love to see his courage and hear his voice when he speaks.
“I chose the word ‘simple,’” he said, “Because there’s nothing special about me.”
I looked silently and thoughtfully at his words, at him.
Sometimes my heart fills with…what? Wonder? Astonishment? Marvel?
Yes, all of these things, as I stand in the middle of my classroom in the midst of life.
After a moment of silence, I spoke.
“Oh, Danny,” I said, “Simple is one of my favorite words! People who are simple are salt of the earth people. They give flavor to the world. One of my favorite people, Albert Einstein, said, ‘If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.’ Simple is a special word. And you are a salt of the earth, Albert Einsteiny, special kind of person!”
Cintia raised her hand.
“Danny, you’re on the morning news team. You have a lot of courage. You do a great job. You are a special person.”
Garrett raised his hand.
“Danny, I couldn’t ask for a more loyal friend than you. You are a special person.”
Jayden raised her hand.
“Danny, when I dropped my pencil box in the hallway, you stopped, bent down, and helped me pick it up. You are a special person.”
And as I looked into his earthy brown eyes, I saw his heart filling with…what?
Wonder.
Astonishment.
Marvel.
All in a simple day in public school.
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