Lessons Learned
Wipe The
Slate Clean
Within the first few days
of school one particular year, a young student very innocently, very sincerely
posed undoubtedly the most compelling question of all when he asked, “Can I
change?” Wondering if he was seeking permission or questioning possibility,
the teacher probed, “What do you mean?” The student, who carried, along
with his new backpack, a red-flag reputation in teacher-talk, proceeded to
spill his heart through the story he shared about his school experience so far.
Not a good listener. A little disrespectful. Frequently yelled at. In the
lowest groups. Probably a trouble-maker. Never invited to a birthday
party. School was stupid. Mom told him he needed to change, and he needed to
change now, because things were not going to ever get better if he
didn’t. Can I change? Do I have the strength and courage necessary to
turn this behavior boat around? Even if I can, can others accept this new
me and change their expectations and opinions of me? If their perceptions are
cast in stone and unchangeable, why should I even try to be different than the
bad boy they expect? This was a tremendous amount of significant contemplating
for a young mind to be processing during those early days in a school
year when most were struggling to line up in the proper order and to
recall their locker numbers. The teacher, realizing that questions of this sort
which come right from the deepest chambers of a student’s heart, felt
overwhelmingly humbled to be entrusted with this huge amount of vulnerability. The
student’s eyes were wide, trusting, and demanding. This answer was to be
as important as the question in terms of behavioral trajectory. With
focused eye-contact , tender vocal tone, and unmistakable belief, the teacher
promised that precious little boy that each year was a new year, that
each day was a new day, and each one was a new opportunity to begin again with
a clean slate. We all make mistakes and bad choices for which we are not proud,
but apologies, grace and forgiveness are powerfully strong. It’s never
too late to turn around. It’s never too late to make a new and better
choice. Now is the time. Start now. This is how we learn, and this is how
we grow. “Yes, you can change,” said the teacher. “This is going to be a
good year,” smiled the boy. And it was.
