WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

December 22, 2024

Vol. 2, No. 51

HALLS OF HOPE

During a recent school visit which came on the heels of a litany of complaints from colleagues about “this generation,” I found hope in the halls. On the walls. At the tables. On the floor. The school’s Coordinator scheduled my time with students from kindergarten through fifth grade in the Art Room.

The students largely listened to my main rule, “Please don’t talk when someone else is talking.” Most of them had the answer to why we have one mouth and two ears. Two of the classes were supported not only by amazing teachers but an area high school student. One has plans to be a social worker. Another a teacher. One teaches a variety of dance classes while completing high school.

There was only one meltdown. A young boy with gorgeous brown hair began crying and shaking as he could not complete the task I had given “on time” which simply meant it was time for his class to leave the room and another to come in. For a moment, I thought “Here we go,” recalling the horrible comments and faces my elementary school classmates made when one of our classmates “could not hold it together.” But there were no horrible comments. No horrible faces. Instead, the rest of the children sat quietly while the Coordinator lovingly led the young boy out of the room. After he left, they left the room. As I walked toward the hall and watched them proceed to the next room, no unkind word was said.

It is easy to get discouraged. To believe that the “next generation” is not as capable or worthy. But within the many halls and walls of education, hope abounds.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Consider what you can do to be part of the “Halls of Hope” and how to encourage others to do the same. Support a teacher, a child, and the community. Be kind. Listen.

---

[1] Copyright December 22, 2024. Winston Weekly is a weekly newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles available at www.baylesconnect.com or by e-mail at baylesconnect@gmail.com. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute.