She Stands Up For Herself When No One Else Does.

I meet a lot of kids every year in my teaching profession but this one literally blows my mind- for all the positive reasons and for getting on my nerves sometimes. Another ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) kid in my classroom and one of many that I have come across in my career. This is the thing about them, on one hand they make you tear your hair out and on the other, astonish you with their wonderful skills and potential.

But She stands apart! The following reasons to name a few-

• She is fierce.
• She knows what she wants.
• She is fearless.
• She is headstrong.
• She is a rebel girl.
• She is all I ever want to be.
• She teaches me a lot of things and most importantly, to stand up for oneself.

Yes, that is a list of all the things that she is and she inspires me, my six year old ADHD kid!

I discovered these traits in her of late. A few days back she got a good scolding from me, since she’s mostly involved in all the day to day classroom scuffles, directly or indirectly. That day she had encouraged seven other girls to cut their own hair with scissors. And she gave herself bangs! Let me tell you, neat bangs they were.

I asked her to leave my classroom and just study anywhere else she wants to as this behavior is not acceptable to me. She went out, came back inside and told me- “You never listen to my side of the story and don’t trust me”. Being the sensitive teacher that I am, to my overly sensitive children, I asked her to explain. She was responsible for this act but not solely.

This wasn’t the first time that she made her presence felt. I am never ashamed to apologize to my kids and so I did but she still got the scolding anyway. She never repeated such an act again and I have changed my ways for her because she is not those kinds to be tackled so easily. She has a voice of her own and you hardly observe these qualities in kids of her age, let alone girls.

And I don’t refrain her from expressing herself and also persuade the others because I am glad to help them take a stance. If only our girls were given the opportunity to speak their hearts and minds, this world would be a better place. The same needs to be practiced in their households, workplaces and everywhere they go.

I am proud of the profession that I am into as it gives me a lot power to change the world around me. Education is a magic wand that can make or break the world. But, as the famous proverb goes- ‘With power comes great responsibility’ and sadly many of my fellow educators use this power well but don’t realize their responsibility.

Even if one girl like Her becomes the woman that I want her to grow into, my job is done.

Oh by the way that’s Her keeping herself busy and giving me some respite of course!

Originally published at https://teachyoungminds.blogspot.com.