my very last class of the day was kindergarten. for the elementary students i choose an MVP at the end of the class period for the student who behaved really well during those 30 mins. they get a star sticker and a little piece of green paper that is a “continental bill”. usually, i just find a name of a student who hasn’t received one yet for the term…today, during the kindergarten class i called out the name of an adorable smaller than average kindergartener who had actually behaved admirably during the half hour. it took her a moment to realize i had called her name…she responded with eyes widening,mouth dropping open and her little hands up by her face in surprise and says “ME?! i’ve never gotten one before! i wishded this would happen!” she was ecstatic while choosing her sticker and when i gave her the bill she treated it the way an adult would treat a million dollar check. she kept saying “thank you” in such a gracious tone. even while i was leaving the school i passed by her and told her congratulations one more time (since i noticed she was still holding the bill in her hands like it would disappear if she let it go) and she just looked so happy as she said thank you! for how exhausting a day like today was…it’s moments like THAT that make everything completely worth it.
