Mrs. Rose

So I help out with a second grade class for one of my classes.

Can I just say I already absolutely adore every one of those kids in there? And not only in just that classroom, but in other classrooms I've helped out with?

I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love being around disabled or handicapped people. There's something so wonderful about them. I know that there are very incredible spirits in those bodies, and that was entirely Heavenly Father's plan. The adversary can't tempt those, or at least as much, as those who are in healthy bodies. He needs those strong spirits with Him after this life.

What does that have to do with my story, you might ask?

I was helping out in a second grade classroom, and the teacher asked me to help a little boy in a wheelchair for a minute while she ran down the hall to grab something. (This was a special ed teacher--not the main teacher.) From the moment I saw him, we both smiled at each other, and we just kind of clicked. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him and he gave me a hug. I pushed him around the classroom and the hallways, and he would strain himself to turn back and smile at me as we went down the hallways. He was the cutest little boy, and everyone in the second grade knows him by name and loves hanging out with him. It's the greatest thing to see these kids working with this little boy instead of teasing him or leaving him out because they can't play or communicate with him.

That's one thing I love about the school I'm helping at--their playground is built so both handicapped and the other kids can play together. It's the best thing to see when I help out at recess--everyone is playing with everyone, and they're all helping each other out.

The other story I want to tell is the name of this post. I love working in elementary schools so far, because those little kids aren't afraid to tell you what's on their mind--and almost always, it's very positive things that are coming out of their mouths.

Anyways, I was helping out in my classroom with a center where we were making a construction paper scarecrow. I was helping the kids cut out and glue and make their scarecrows, when the teacher asked if the student teachers could come introduce ourselves. I went up along with my other classmate, and we introduced ourselves. I said, "My name is Miss Rowe, I'm in Elementary Education, this is my second year in university up here, and I'm from Heber City, Utah. I'm also really excited to be here with you guys!" One little boy jumped up from his chair with excitement and said, "I'm from Utah too!" Another little girl, not wanting to miss out on all this excitement said, "My grandma's from Utah!" And then there were other kids trying to let me know they had some sort of connection, no matter how small it was, to Utah. It was really great.

But I went back to the table to help cut out scarecrow stuff with these kids, and this little boy tugs on my shirt sleeve and says, "I thought your name was Mrs. Rose." I told him it wasn't, but that was close. "My name is Miss Rowe." He just kind of looked down and then back up at me and said, "Is it okay if I still call you Mrs. Rose? Roses are really pretty, and you're really pretty too." I had no words at that point, but I just smiled and nodded, and kind of patted him on the back.

I love Elementary school. :)

Live. Love. Laugh. Grow.