Halloween Thoughtfulness

The day after Halloween. One of the most dreaded days for teachers. There are many things at play; lack of sleep, excessive candy, and adrenaline rushes from the night before. But my heart was touched by a peer mentor on this challenging day.

As the period started and the room was bustling with greetings, and students settling in to work, One of my peer mentors quietly came in and sat down next to the student she works with. She handed him a bag of candy saying “Happy Halloween.” The student got a huge grin on his face and you could see the excitement in his eyes. Not a big thing in normal circumstances, but these were not normal circumstances. This was candy she had collected the night before from trick or treating and had chosen to share especially with him. Her student had been out sick for the last two days and she was worried that he wouldn’t be able to partake in the trick or treating experience and didn’t want him to miss out on the bounty. In that little bag was much more than just candy, she had given this student acceptance, caring, and let him know someone was thinking of him.

It is these small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that touch my heart, and show me that this program is truly working. Kids are thinking, caring, and considering others before themselves. This peer mentor wasn’t looking for accolades from staff or other peers she simple cared for another human being.

As of yet I can’t figure out how to prove this program is having an effect on peer mentors, my students, parents, or school community with data. However stories like this happen daily and show very clearly that we are making a difference in teaching and increasing emotional intelligence within the students here at WMS.