11/26/2025
“I recently did an activity with my 5th graders called:
“I wish my teacher would know…”
I thought I’d get cute answers. Silly answers. Typical answers.
Instead, I got a glimpse into the weight some children carry long before they ever walk through the classroom door.
Here are a few that stopped me in my tracks:
Kid 1: “I wish my teacher would know my dad is in jail and I haven’t seen him in years.”
Kid 2: “I wish my teacher would know I don’t always eat dinner because my mom works and I don’t know how to work the stove.”
Kid 3: “I wish my teacher would know my sister sleeps in my bed and sometimes she wets it and that’s why I smell funny.”
Kid 4: “I wish my teacher would know I don’t always have sneakers for gym because my brothers and I share one pair.”
Kid 5: “I wish my teacher would know I like coming to school because it’s quiet here… not like my house with all the yelling.”
✨ These tiny humans carry stories we never see.
We judge behaviors, attitudes, and moods without ever asking why.
If we slowed down long enough to listen — truly listen — we’d understand so much more.
More compassion.
More patience.
More grace.
Give more than we get.
Lead with empathy.
And remember: sometimes the child who seems “difficult” is just doing their best with a life we know nothing about.”
< From elle.deal >
