This school year, our district has been diving deeper into our student population and fostering resiliency within our students inside and out, especially with regards to our students that come from hard places or who have experienced trauma in their pasts. We are exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how these traumas can have long-term effects on physical and psychological health into adulthood. We ALSO know and believe that these effects can be buffered by caring adults who invest in their lives and form meaningful relationships. As a part of my presentation to my lovely staff on this topic yesterday, I had the most resilient and inspiring woman I know speak about her own experiences with trauma and how teeny-tiny actions from her teachers really made a WORLD of difference for her. Here is WonderGIRL’s speech that we co-authored together:

My name is [WonderGIRL] and I have an ACE score of 10. You may think that’s bad but it is only a score and NOT who I am. My mama always tells me that I’m bigger and better than what has happened to me. One reason I still smile and laugh is because teachers like you have been my safe, protective place through very hard times.

My story got really hard when I was in 3rd grade. Here is what I wish I could have been brave enough to say to my teacher back then.

Dear Mrs. [3rd grade teacher],
Thank you for always saying hello to me each morning with a smile. It was the only smile I had seen since school got out yesterday. Your pats on my back when I did something good made me feel like I mattered to at least 1 person. Do you remember those gold stars when I turned in my homework? Those were very important to me. My family never helped me or looked at my work when I brought it home. Somehow, you knew this, helped me just like a Mom would, and I still got my star!

I want to apologize for my poor attendance lately. I wish you knew how badly I wanted to run out of my house and catch that bus but I felt trapped. My dad didn’t want you to ask questions. My dad didn’t want you to see the bruises. But you saw more than that in me. You saw the person I wanted to be – someone who laughs and sings, and enjoys life. I hope you know that I may have left your classroom, but your kind actions never left my heart. 

Love, 
WG

I hope sharing my story helps you save a little boy or girl that is hurting just like I was. Thank you for being their superheroes. The end.

I’m so proud of this little one for standing up in front of a library full of teachers and owning her story and using it to inspire others. I am grateful that we get to be part of that story.