Refreshing

This school year has been by far the most stressful and disgruntling that I have faced. Couple that with the continued hate that we have seen in our state this year and my outlook on humanity has been lessened. However, yesterday on the last day of school before a three-week break, my faith in humanity was restored. Do you know who it was who restored that faith? A group of fifth graders. Our district has moved toward including children with disabilities into general education environments, as the law states that we do. Some teachers have been skeptical about this and some have been more open. Two teachers this year have stepped up the plate and run with it, while most have run the other direction. Fear of what we don't know, often breeds hate. Well, we have a student with severe Cerebral Palsy who is bound to a wheel chair and has been out for 6 weeks having surgery. Her mother decided to bring her to the Christmas party at the end of the day. Well, I happened to be in the classroom when she came. Every single one of those students was surprised, happy and genuine when she wheeled into the room. It was the most endearing thing I have seen all year. So while adults around continue to spread fear and judgement, we can step back and learn sincerity and caring from a group of 10 and 11 year olds.