"I Wish..."

[Content Note: Poverty; deportation.]

This is a heartbreaking story about a teacher in a school district with high rates of poverty who asked her elementary school students what they wished she knew about them.

"I wish my teacher knew I don't have pencils at home to do my homework," read one of the responses. "I wish my teacher knew how much I miss my dad because he got deported to Mexico when I was 3 years old and I haven't seen him in 6 years," read another.

The responses are deeply moving, and other teachers have started using the lesson with their students, in order to try to get to know them better.

"I wish my teacher knew I don't have a friend to paly [sic] with me."

I love the idea behind this project, not only so that teachers may better know their students and what they need, but also so that students can feel heard and valued; can feel like their needs matter; can feel like being known to someone matters.

That's important for everyone to feel.

If you are inclined to do so, please share in comments what you wish people knew about you.

I wish people knew...

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