When we not only acknowledge that everyone has bad days but also care enough to act on them, the world becomes a better place.
There are just some times when we could use a little grace, no matter how big or small the situation. Rachel Harder, a fourth-grade teacher, sees this and has devised a brilliant solution to assist both her children and their families.
A trauma seminar was attended by the Kansas teacher a few years ago. She discovered that certain police stations collaborate with schools so that instructors are notified when one of their pupils has a police encounter that may necessitate special care or attention.
Rachel explained, “We loved this idea and believed there had to be a way to make this work inside our own school community.”
Rachel had an autistic student a year after the conference who had regular bad days. To show her support, Rachel encouraged the student’s mother to just text her “handle with care” to let her know when one of those days was approaching.
Rachel explained, “I understood when she texted me that her kid needed some more time and a peaceful environment, not the gym for morning announcements so that the rest of her day went smoothly.”
This article first appeared on InspireMore.
Rachel decided to send all of her students home with a note for their parents because the basic way was so successful. It explained what the “Handle with Care” system was all about and how people may benefit from it. Parents quickly began to express their gratitude for Rachel’s wonderful act of generosity.
Rachel’s kindness, however, did not stop with her class. Teachers all throughout the country began trying out the fantastic technique in their own classrooms after word of it spread. The Smart School House website has printouts, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable!
Rachel explained, “The [parents] basically let me know it was a difficult morning.” “I don’t need to know the specifics, but parents appreciate it because it lets them know I’m keeping a close check on them.”
Despite the fact that teachers can often tell when a student is having a bad day just by looking at them, Rachel believes that these simple texts allow educators to make modest adjustments ahead of time, making the day better for everyone.
She explained, “It’s vital for me to give kids a few minutes of extra time or space, and it’s easy to offer.” Let’s honor Rachel’s remarkable display of sensitivity.