She sits behind her desk, staring out the window. Students scatter across the schoolgrounds, laughing. Their laughter touches her; it has been such a long time since she has heard innocent laughter.

The last few months have been difficult. Her whole career has been aimed toward academic growth: she has taught verb conjugation and noun declension. She has offered scientific theories and historical philosophies. Students have left her classroom well-versed in analogies and syllogisms. But what is she teaching them of personal growth and inner strength? What about being living examples of sympathy and empathy, mixed with loving touch and compassionate ear? Aren’t these also survival skills necessary in today’s world?

Class discussion has veered away from subject and predicate, nouns and verbs. Literary analyses no longer follow safe subjects of character traits and author’s purpose; now negative thoughts permeate the atmosphere of safety she sought to maintain in the room. Bullying, taunts, words meant to wound and divide have become commonplace in society, but she is insistent they have no place in her classroom.

She glances out the window again, her gaze landing on the trees that line the yard. Last year a pen-pal program resulted in exchanging not only  letters, but also tree seedlings. Dogwood trees from North Carolina’s mountains were traded for plum trees from the Caucasian mountains of Asia and almond trees from the Mediterranean. After a year of struggling to fully acclimate and thrive away from their comfort zone, the trees are beginning to show signs of renewal. Tiny buds are opening, releasing their fragrance to the air. Flitting around the pink and white blossoms are butterflies recently released from their chrysalis trying out their newly emerged wings.

She smiles. Here is her lesson. Just as the trees struggle against adversity and will survive to bear fruit, so will her students emerge as adults with a sense of right and wrong, with an ability to pass on kindnesses shown to them. They, like the butterfly, will be stronger for having been through the strife.

She goes forth to teach kindness, understanding, and love.

Learn more about the author:

Susan Giles