Make a Difference Movie

Having just watched this movie that Dr. Loungo has sent us, and after I wiped the tear from my eye, it occurs to me that this is very true. We don't always know the circumstances that our children go through. I am not given the student folders until the first day of school, however I have learned to make sure that even if I have to stay after school just to do this , I read each folder before the end of the first week. I have discovered some students who do not know where their Mom is, I have discovered that some students are "wards of the state." Students do have parents that are ill and some, like Teddy have lost a parent of other beloved member of the family.
I only wish I were given access to the folders before the school year begins, this would better prepare me for certain behaviors . Having the information ahead of time can as help me as a teacher. I am not going to do a take home gift project for Mother's day this year. Also, I sometimes have to dig for this information, I do not feel that the information folders given to us are as complete as I would like.
Getting back to the movie, I thought this was inspiring and I enjoyed it. Many students with a little understanding from a teacher , will rise to meet their potential. I hope I can inspire one of my students to remember me as a favorite teacher. However more than that I just want all of them to access me as a caring individual that they happened upon early in their life. My personal feeling is that every child has the potential for greatness, there are different levels of greatness depending upon the child. Teachers have such an impact on students and I really believe that we all forget that from time to time. We should all remember that we too have a favorite teacher and can remember the ones that truly cared. We must all strive to accomplish that very ideal.