Finding supportive parents when working in a daycare setting or school setting is, unfortunately rare. This summer, I have been fortunate to encounter several parents over the course of the summer who will gladly chat about their child's day, be it good or bad. I have particularly been touched by a mother who constantly checks to see if I had a good day with her child. Her child has particular behavioral issues and needs. This parent, unlike many others, recognizes the efforts that teachers assert in order to meet her child's particular needs. Today, on the child's last day at the daycare center, she wanted to make red velvet cupcakes for all of the teachers at the center. Just as a token of her appreciation. (She ended up bringing store bough cupcakes, which were very delicious.) To quote her, "I go to culinary school. I only have my husband and daughter at home. The only way I can really practice is by making things for good people." I am humbled and amazed at this statement. I had not thought that I had touched the life of this parent in the way that I had.
Why does this kind of appreciation come so unexpectedly? It seems everybody, including myself at times, is so caught up in themselves and their busy lives that they don't think about how others have impacted their lives. I truly believe that God puts each and every person in our lives for a purpose. This is especially true for our family, teachers, doctors, and friends. As a teacher, I hope that God will use me to impact the life of each and every child that comes into my class, as well as the parents of those children. And I hope to take the time to reflect on how each one of them positively impacts my life and thank them for it.
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