Today one of my super-hyper, super-energized, super-pumped-up kiddos came in to my office early this morning. He looked a little withdrawn and upset. I asked him what was going on and he told me he was really upset because his dad was going to Mexico for 9 days and he hadn’t been away from his dad for that long before.

While I was genuinely sad for him that he was so affected by his dad’s absence, I also felt a sense of relief. That it was just that. And nothing more.

In an effort to cheer him up, I asked him questions about his plans for spring break. I asked him if he was going to Rockin’ Jump with his younger sister and baby brother. And then I asked him, “How come you don’t tell me about your baby brother?”

He said, “You never ask.”

This morning, I learned two very valuable lessons.

1) Things that seem trivial to adults may be monumental to your students.

2) Sometimes it’s important to put away the testing, the instruction, and the expectations. And JUST TALK to your kids.

I am not just teaching academic content. I am not just teaching behavioral expectations. I am teaching A CHILD. A child who wants to be loved, listened to, and taken seriously. A child who wants to be consoled when they are having a rough day. A child who wants their teacher to ask them about their family, their favorite animals, their favorite foods, their favorite video games. A child, who despite being 7 years old, teaches me more about the world than I am aware of.