4/22/10

Coincidence? I think not.


Many of you might remember that my darling sister (who happily drags me to every Goodwill, Thrift Shop and yard sale in the New England area) is partially deaf. She has been her entire life- the result of our mother contracting German Measles during her pregnancy. Frankly, we’re sick of her whining about it- and have never really acknowledged the fact that she’s deaf except perhaps that ONE time it got us front row tickets to A Chorus Line. (Who loves you K?) Sure, it was here on campus in Oregon, but STILL.


This particular fact will become important at the end of today’s lesson.


Our kindergarten classrooms this year at John Smith Elementary School are unusually LARGE. All four of us are maxed out at a billion, and have been since day one. Unfortunately this means that any family that might move into this Oregon college town during the school year might have to be bussed to one of the other seven elementary schools here in town.

One particular afternoon in October, my principal walked into my room. She looked unsure, as if perhaps she wasn’t going to speak, but then sat on a table and smiled.

“I know that your K classes are all full, and I know that you have more than the other three classes, but I was wondering something,” she asked me.

“We have a new family coming, and they have a boy in kindergarten. You really don’t have to say yes, and I am not pressuring you in ANY way, but I just thought I’d ask you about it. What do you think?”

I looked at her, and thought for a minute. I DID have a huge class; four of whom didn’t speak English; and I was on my own (Yep- teaching ALONE) for the first time in 13 years without a student teacher. However, my class was AWESOME, and I was loving every single minute of it. I also knew there were some challenges in the other rooms.


Then, I had a weird inkling – just a feeling, if you will.


“Yes.” I said. “Of course I’ll take him! The more the merrier. And besides, if his siblings will be here, it just wouldn’t be right to send him over to Wesson Elementary. Yeah. I will definitely take him. What’s one MORE active boy?”

One week later I was called to the office to greet my new charge. I walked into the office and saw an adorable, sort of nervous fella waiting to meet his teacher.

After the introductions were made, I suggested he give his mom a hug and send her on her way – “We’ve got some fun to get to!” I said.


He turned to give his mom a hug and I was startled. There, hugging his ear, was a hearing aide.


The same kind my sister wears.



Some things are just meant to be.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

You were meant to be that little boy's teacher. I'm so glad you have a great class this year, it makes all the difference, I know. :-)

Anonymous said...

That student is so lucky! I have trouble with coincidences but I think that is just because I deal with a lot no A LOT of anxiety and I can't figure out gut from highly unlikely worry yet. I am working on that though . I do consider myself lucky to have found your blog though and I just happen to be in the same state your sister lives.

anonymous educator said...

You'd think they would have made some advances in hearing aid technology.

Mommy Loves Coffee said...

awwww, I teared up. yes. I'm an emotional hot mess but seriously, that's awesome. Your kids are lucky to have you!

Brian Miller said...

smiles. see nothing is random...

Vodka Mom said...

I meant to say WEARS!! I'll go change it.

corrin said...

It was meant to be. And holy crap that first paragraph was funny.

Mr. Halpern said...

Loves, loves, loves it.

Mr. Halpern said...

Also glad to hear I'm not the only one with a large group who gets all the new students... I have four or five more students than many of the other K teachers at my school. SMILE!

lisahgolden said...

He's a lucky kid to have you as a teacher and I suspect he knows it.

Anonymous said...

A more perfect match there never was. Lucky boy and lucky you!

Jules AF said...

@anonymous, they have! But there are a lot of factors that go into what affects the type of hearing aid.

Lorraine said...

My MIL, my mom and my dad all have hearing aides now--FIL definitely needs one but contends bitterly that we non-European types have never mastered the art of enunciation. My little guy has been told that the feedback he hears squealing from grampa's head when he gets too close is coming from outer space and it's aliens telling Kid to wash his hands or fess up to where he hid the wheat germ, or whatever other hijinx he's been up to lately but no one can prove. I'm thinking of getting one for just such occasions.

PS: My word verification is "vishible," which sounds like maybe you've been passing the vodka to your friends on the interwebs.

feefifoto said...

You're right - some things are just fate.

Your photo brought back memories of my grandfather, who wore the same type of hearing aid. One of the only things I remember about him was how he unscrewed the ear piece of the phone and held it up to his chest so he could hear. Things have certainly improved since then.

Crys said...

That was definitely a match to be made. Good for you for following your feeling despite the large class numbers.

KaLynn ("MiMi") said...

Definitely meant to be!

Joanie said...

Aw!! I love this story!!

Unknown said...

the world needs more teachers like you many many many many many many more! Somehow I knew you'd take him.

Anonymous said...

ko inky dink? I think not.

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Everyday Goddess said...

I'm glad he found you. It's kismet.

Adlibby said...

the world is funny that way.... love this one!

Lori P said...

Aw Aw Aw Awwwww. That's so sweet. Things happen for a reason.

Sue said...

Yep, everything, indeed, DOES happen for a reason!
Take care, Sue

Anonymous said...

some things are just meant to be...so true...this brought a tear to my eye;)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Awesome! I love you!

Pseudo said...

What a great story with an even better ending to the story. You rock vodka.

Anonymous said...

He's so lucky to have you for a teacher!

shrink on the couch said...

That little boy has no idea how lucky he is! Yet.

Dionne said...

This was such a sweet story

Suzy said...

First of all your sister IS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL in that pic.

So I'm guessing you're adopted?

jen said...

Circle of life, my friend. Not really, but that's so rad. And you made me laugh out loud with that first paragraph - thank you!

InspiredDreamer said...

Sometimes we wonder why things happen to us... and then years later we realize it's so we know what to say when things happen to someone else. Hooray for being able to be compassionate to the new boy.

Have an Extraordinary Day!

Unknown said...

Reading this makes me so happy. I wear hearing-aids myself, and to see someone so accepting of that, especially someone like you who knows what it's like -- it just...means so much. I'm not particularly articulate tonight, apparently. But you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you so much for everything that you do, for brightening my day with a smile every time I come here, and for being such a wonderful teacher. As someone studying to be a kindergarten teacher myself, you make me laugh and cry with your stories like these. You are amazing.

Unknown said...

Bless you for taking another little on in your class and without a student teacher! He was meant to be there with you. What a great story and a happy ending.

Alexandra said...

Oh, my goodness..tears just sprang to my eyes.

That is too beautiful.

Joanna Jenkins said...

You rock! That little boy is lucky to have you for his teacher.

Cheers,
jj

Formerly known as Frau said...

Yes they are! You are awesome!

Lynn from For Love or Funny said...

I love it when Fate intervenes!

Katinka said...

stopping by from SITS and wishing you a great weekend!!!!

Mr. Halpern said...

By the way, totally love the hip hat your sister was sporting way before her time. :)

The Good Cook said...

How lucky for both of you!!!

R. J. said...

How sweet! Awards to you, a great teacher with a big heart.

Any name said...

As a mom of 2 kids on IEPs. I am SOOOOO psyched for that family. It is hard enough being in a new town, now they have one less thing to worry about!

Notes From ABroad said...

Oh God if Only I had had a Teacher like you in my childhood ! ( not that I had any challenges like loss of hearing but that a person with a kind heart would have been nice)
What a lovely touching post ! Thank you,
C~

Kim Dettmer said...

Lucky, lucky boy! Sweet story!

The Lady in Pearls said...

"Some things are just meant to be."

Yes, they are!

Unknown said...

Gosh this story made me all teary eyed! I love how Gods works!

Melissa Chapman said...

Could this boy be any luckier?! I think not!! xo

Dawn said...

I *love* it when this happens!

buffalodick said...

Sounds like(pardon the pun!) a perfect fit!

cheatymoon said...

Love that you posted a photo of your sis. Gorgeous.
Another coincidence is that yesterday my sister and I were discussing the benefits of taking my Deaf nephew to a concert and getting the up front seats. (He is a music fiend). ;-) xo

anymommy said...

Lucky little boy! Love this.

WeaselMomma said...

You're nothing short of amazing. I mean that.

Anonymous said...

love,love,love the picture of your sister...she still looks almost the same today..you girls are gonna be just like your mother..ageless!

My heart is smiling for that little boy to have you as a teacher...God planted him just where he needs to be.

K'man said...

I wore a hearing aid just like your sisters when I started pre-school, and wore it through about 5th grade.
I hope you can do alot to help that boy understand that he is every bit as good as the other children in class.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Yep... sounds like the correct placement! Enjoy your new little guy!