I've been thinking about two of my students all weekend. One of them needs serious help with being able to focus. I don't know if he has ADHD or something else. It could be any number of things. All I can see are the behaviors. I can see that he is capable of achieving when he has someone sitting right with him, helping him to stay focused. But the second he is left to his own, he literally cannot focus for more than 15 seconds. I know that the nature of these children is still to please. They want to perform well and they want to feel successful. I truly believe that if he COULD follow my directions, he WOULD. I set up a meeting with his mom and our school counselor for Monday, and I hope we are able to take some steps to help him.
The other student I have been thinking about a lot lately is actually in my ward. He is very independent and rarely interacts with the other kids in my class. I don't think it is because he wants to be independent. I think he is craving the social interaction. He is begging for attention and love. I have been communicating with his mom and trying to brainstorm things that I can do, but it has been hard coming up with anything. I started praying about it and looking for opportunities to help him. Voila! That was the answer. Another student's mother came in to school on Friday to get make-up work for her son because he had been absent for awhile. Brandon realized who she was and said, "Oh! You're Fabian's mom? We talk a lot when he's here. We have a lot in common!" I was surprised by this because I had never seen the two of them talk, but I was grateful for a little clue to help me! I moved all the desks and put the two of them next to each other. I don't know if this will help, or cause me a headache, but I would rather deal with two students having a chatting problem, then one student with no friends and depression. We'll see how it works.
Then, yesterday, I couldn't stop thinking about it and David said that he thought we should invite someone over to have waffles with our new Belgium waffle maker and I immediately thought of Brandon and his dad. Our ward just moved to 1:30 so we would have plenty of time in the morning to have them over before church. When David went to call them, their number was unlisted on the ward list and whitepages.com. But then...as we were shopping at Walmart last night, who do you suppose was in the checkout line right next to us? Brandon's dad and sister were on a night run for a few things just like us. I know that was not a coincidence. I prayed to have an opportunity to help this person and the Lord did his part to set up what I could not do on my own knowing that I would act upon it if I were given the chance. So, we will be having a little waffle party in about an hour. I hope I can help him find more happiness in his life. He is much too young to be feeling such hopelessness and yearning. I know I can make a difference.
President Monson said in October 2009, "...the needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone...I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives...We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes...My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us."
He can count on me.
The other student I have been thinking about a lot lately is actually in my ward. He is very independent and rarely interacts with the other kids in my class. I don't think it is because he wants to be independent. I think he is craving the social interaction. He is begging for attention and love. I have been communicating with his mom and trying to brainstorm things that I can do, but it has been hard coming up with anything. I started praying about it and looking for opportunities to help him. Voila! That was the answer. Another student's mother came in to school on Friday to get make-up work for her son because he had been absent for awhile. Brandon realized who she was and said, "Oh! You're Fabian's mom? We talk a lot when he's here. We have a lot in common!" I was surprised by this because I had never seen the two of them talk, but I was grateful for a little clue to help me! I moved all the desks and put the two of them next to each other. I don't know if this will help, or cause me a headache, but I would rather deal with two students having a chatting problem, then one student with no friends and depression. We'll see how it works.
Then, yesterday, I couldn't stop thinking about it and David said that he thought we should invite someone over to have waffles with our new Belgium waffle maker and I immediately thought of Brandon and his dad. Our ward just moved to 1:30 so we would have plenty of time in the morning to have them over before church. When David went to call them, their number was unlisted on the ward list and whitepages.com. But then...as we were shopping at Walmart last night, who do you suppose was in the checkout line right next to us? Brandon's dad and sister were on a night run for a few things just like us. I know that was not a coincidence. I prayed to have an opportunity to help this person and the Lord did his part to set up what I could not do on my own knowing that I would act upon it if I were given the chance. So, we will be having a little waffle party in about an hour. I hope I can help him find more happiness in his life. He is much too young to be feeling such hopelessness and yearning. I know I can make a difference.
President Monson said in October 2009, "...the needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone...I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives...We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes...My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us."
He can count on me.
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