"The heart benevolent and kind. . . most resembles God."
- Robert Burns
Best-selling author Leo Buscaglia grew up in an Italian home. He actually learned English as a second language. Upon entering school, Leo was branded as mentally deficient and recommended for placement in a special class. He was "written off" by those who believed they knew better.
Miss Hunt taught this special class. She was a caring, warm person, and she paid little attention to the labels placed on her students. Miss Hunt modeled a love of learning to all in her class and she saw Leo as rich in potential.
In Miss Hunt's class, Buscaglia blossomed. After several months, she insisted that he be retested. The results placed him into the regular classroom system.
Miss Hunt's door was always open to Buscaglia. She encouraged him and convinced him that wonderful things were in store for him.
Do you know a child who has been "written off" or "lost in the shuffle" by parents, teachers, or other students? Perhaps you are a teacher, like Miss Hunt, who will give him or her the benefit of the doubt.
A heart of compassion and belief can be the very thing that causes a student to "make it."
Prompt: Where do I need to apply compassion in my classroom this year? In what compassionate ways can I make a difference for these students?
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