R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Find Out What it Means to Me!

It all started when I was in third grade, in Mrs. Whurstorn’s class. On the first day of school she asked me to sit next to this “new girl.” Having just turned eight, I had a dilemma. I really wanted to sit with my friends, yet I also wanted to make a good first impression on my teacher. I sat down, and found out this “new girl’s” name was Ellen. That first day Ellen didn’t have a snack with her for snack time, and not wanting to be rude by eating mine in her face, I offered to share mine. Ellen gratefully accepted.

As the year went on, I realized that Ellen didn’t have a lot of the same things my friends and I had, and I went out of my way to be kind to her and include her in our group. I learned that Ellen’s family lived in an old chicken-coup that was renovated for her family by her dad’s company for them to stay in. As I recall, there were approximately 3 rooms total in the whole “house.” Needless to say, there weren’t many children who wanted to be seen with a child who wasn’t always showered and was socially awkward. As the years went on, I kept my friendship with Ellen up, knowing that was one of the few things she could call her own.

One day, in eighth grade lunch, I noticed Ellen sitting by herself at a lunch table, while I enjoyed my 25 minutes of freedom laughing with my friends. I got up from my table, went to Ellen and invited her to come sit with us. Being typical “middle schoolers,” my friends were less than thrilled. Later that day, I received a nasty note from a “friend” blasting me for ruining our reputation. It was a hard day, but I learned who my true friends were, and what really mattered.

Fast-forward about ten years, to when I was working as a bank teller during the summer between college semesters. In walks the girl I fell out of touch with after her family moved from town. Ellen recognized me right away, and was so happy to see me. In the brief conversation we had, she was sure to thank me for sharing my snack with her all those years before. At 21, she still knew what was in my lunch box that day. I never knew what an impact I had (inadvertently) on her life, but I will never forget it. Being kind is one of the most important qualities a person can have. It is my goal to teach children the importance of including everyone in all areas of their lives. They will never know how far the smallest good deed will go.

To reinforce respect in my classroom, every Monday morning we have a Monday Morning Meeting. The meeting is lead by a student, and the children learn to greet each other, play together, share with one another and really listen to what others say. So that no student is left without a friend at lunch like Ellen was, the children choose a lunch buddy whom they will sit with every day. The lunch buddies will change throughout the year so students will have the opportunity to make new friends. By including everyone, we all can make the world a better place, one person at a time.