Last week, Sarah Horn’s life was changed “For Good” when Kristen Chenoweth invited her to share the stage to sing a duet of the song from the Broadway show Wicked.
I was deeply moved as I watched the video that has now been viewed by over 2 1/2 million people. I was struck by these lines in particular:
“…I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…”
How many people are fortunate enough to be able to say this to one or more individuals who have made a difference in their lives? How often is that individual a special teacher?
Teachers often never know the impact they have on their students. Because this is true, we owe it to every child to help them to be their very best, to help them discover, as Ann Patchett’s characters in Bel Canto only begin to discover, “all the brilliant things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how.”
As I walked down the hall today, I watched a fourth-grade boy the size of a first-grader, a boy born with multiple disabilities try to jump up and touch the moulding at the top of the door jam as he headed for the bathroom. We usually discourage kids from doing this, but as I watched him I thought, “Go for it. Jump as high as you can. I hope someday you reach the top.”
Thank you, as always, to Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge and providing a space for us to become better writers by telling our stories.
Reading to the Core 
Hey there Catherine–I have been out of the blogosphere for a bit and I am so happy that I returned in order to see this! Hope you are well and enjoying the first days of school. Loved your post!
LikeLike
Thanks, Melanie! Hope all is well and that your year is off to a good start. We are busy with the new UOS & SEED. Never a dull moment!
LikeLike
What a sweet wish for a little guy who can use encouragement! You are so right, we owe that help and encouragement to every child. It’s a high aspiration to reach for.
LikeLike
This slice has really made me think. How often do we tell those people in our lives that we are who we are because we knew them? We know who THEY are, but do they? Thanks for making me think!
LikeLike
“Deeply moved?” You were a sobbing mess watching that video! Who could blame you? Then, you tell this wonderful story…..and I’m a sobbing mess. Nice “slice of Life”!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I love this song and especially the line,”Because I knew you, I’ve been changed for good.” I think when I was a young teacher, I did not understand the influence I had on my students. Now I realize that I may never know, so it must all be for good. I am reading aloud the book Wonder in my class. I am hoping to plant a seed of tolerance and understanding and always, kindness. Thanks for posting the video.
LikeLike
Wonder is such an amazing book! I’m sure you’ll plant that seed and nurture understanding and kindness and your students throughout the year. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
just. perfect.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tara.
LikeLike
I love this song too, Catherine. Thanks for sharing this video with Sarah Horn. I agree that teacher don’t realize the impact they have on their students.
LikeLike