The School with the Birthday Box
Many happy years at17 total reviews
Comment from karenina
I am so pleased to have been directed to this first in a series of five non-fiction accounts! Every value that matters is encompassed in your behavior and thus transmitted to the students, who learn much more from what they see than what they are told...
I can't help but think about the societal ripples of kindness this would create if such practices were encouraged around the globe.
Of particular note was the mentoring of the older students with the younger...
Learning the value of nurturing and compassion is a life skill best learned through immersion in the process!
A fine read. My son was born deaf in one ear and lost all his hearing after that. The teachers were as brutal as the students.
A 145 IQ and all they insisted is he needed "Special Education."
He has a Cochlear Implant now and is quite brilliant!
Still, he remembers his school years with trepidation...
Karenina
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2022
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I am so pleased to have been directed to this first in a series of five non-fiction accounts! Every value that matters is encompassed in your behavior and thus transmitted to the students, who learn much more from what they see than what they are told...
I can't help but think about the societal ripples of kindness this would create if such practices were encouraged around the globe.
Of particular note was the mentoring of the older students with the younger...
Learning the value of nurturing and compassion is a life skill best learned through immersion in the process!
A fine read. My son was born deaf in one ear and lost all his hearing after that. The teachers were as brutal as the students.
A 145 IQ and all they insisted is he needed "Special Education."
He has a Cochlear Implant now and is quite brilliant!
Still, he remembers his school years with trepidation...
Karenina
Comment Written 06-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2022
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That's so sad and unjust for your son! We managed students with all sorts of disabilities and they flourished. I am so glad you enjoyed the story, and thank you so much for your quality review for just two cents. I wasn't expecting you to review, just to enjoy the read. I am very appreciative.
Wendy
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Payout is never the factor. Your caring stories of teaching are worth more than gold!
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Thank you. You are so kind and lovely.
I am already your fan.
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I swear I thought....
Oh!
Well, it's fine now!
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Wonderful. I was already your fan.
Comment from K. Lang-Slattery
This is a lovely description of a wonderful school and how the headmaster, teachers, and students worked together to make it a caring place. How I wish that all children had the opportunity to attend a school like the one where you taught! A couple of editing suggestions:
. about being (in - delete) successful in business.
. ('First, an introduction to - delete )our school(. It - delete) was . ." No need to say it.... just introduce the school.
. "encouraged, and we only " Maybe 2 separated sentences or use a semi-colon and delete the "and."
. "Yet he was one of the most popular boys, a respected and well-liked friend of everybody - although he could never be classified as cool, handsome or sporty." I would move the although clause to the beginning.
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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This is a lovely description of a wonderful school and how the headmaster, teachers, and students worked together to make it a caring place. How I wish that all children had the opportunity to attend a school like the one where you taught! A couple of editing suggestions:
. about being (in - delete) successful in business.
. ('First, an introduction to - delete )our school(. It - delete) was . ." No need to say it.... just introduce the school.
. "encouraged, and we only " Maybe 2 separated sentences or use a semi-colon and delete the "and."
. "Yet he was one of the most popular boys, a respected and well-liked friend of everybody - although he could never be classified as cool, handsome or sporty." I would move the although clause to the beginning.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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Thank you for reviewing, Kate, and I appreciate your thoughtful comments and suggestions. I hope you will continue to enjoy the stories.
Wendy
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I wish my school had been like that! Your school sounds amazing and I agree, showing you care, works wonders. Children of all ages need to know they are special, and when that happens, they really do flourish. I be watching out for more of this story, Wendy. Well done! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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I wish my school had been like that! Your school sounds amazing and I agree, showing you care, works wonders. Children of all ages need to know they are special, and when that happens, they really do flourish. I be watching out for more of this story, Wendy. Well done! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 26-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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Thank you so much Sandra. I am glad you enjoyed it, and yes two more stories are now out and a third following very soon. Hope you enjoy them all.
Wendy
Comment from Theodore McDowell
You are a brilliant teacher, Wendy. You made school special, unique and meaningful for your kids, and not just in terms of lessons. You taught about life and self-esteem and positive attitude and hardwork. I admire you.
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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You are a brilliant teacher, Wendy. You made school special, unique and meaningful for your kids, and not just in terms of lessons. You taught about life and self-esteem and positive attitude and hardwork. I admire you.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much. I am always encouraged by your words. All I ever wanted was to be a teacher, and although it was not the easiest career, it was very fulfilling.
Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
Sounds like a wonderful school, Wendy! It would be ideal if every child had that kind of schooling experience. My favorite part was the mentoring of older students to newer students. We had a little of that in one of the schools my kids went to. I also think your school was a Christian one, right? I think that also makes a big difference. Thanks for sharing!
How did the principal celebrate those students' birthdays during the vacation days?
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Sounds like a wonderful school, Wendy! It would be ideal if every child had that kind of schooling experience. My favorite part was the mentoring of older students to newer students. We had a little of that in one of the schools my kids went to. I also think your school was a Christian one, right? I think that also makes a big difference. Thanks for sharing!
How did the principal celebrate those students' birthdays during the vacation days?
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thanks for a lovely review. Yes, it was a Christian school, but other religions were welcome. Attendance at weekly Chapel, Christian Ed and Pastoral Care was compulsory. The headmaster gave cards to the students with weekend birthdays on the Friday before, and if their birthday was during holidays they received it on the last day of term. His secretary kept the list and kept him up to date very well. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from Teri7
Wendy, This is a very nice story you have pennedI e. I think it would have been nice if we had that same kind of atmosphere here where we live. We have twin sons that will be 34 on June 29th. One is a lawyer and the other words for the City of San Diego in California. He was a teacher before he moved to CA. Thank you for sharing! love and blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Wendy, This is a very nice story you have pennedI e. I think it would have been nice if we had that same kind of atmosphere here where we live. We have twin sons that will be 34 on June 29th. One is a lawyer and the other words for the City of San Diego in California. He was a teacher before he moved to CA. Thank you for sharing! love and blessings, Teri
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much Teri. I appreciate your review and your thoughts and comments.
Wendy
Comment from Anne Johnston
This sounds like an ideal school in every aspect, location, faculty, students, and studies. Sounds like it was just one big happy family, working together for everyone's good. Your last lines sums it up well:
"The secret to a happy and successful school? Caring, and commitment."
Well written, Wendy, and will look forward to next chapter.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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This sounds like an ideal school in every aspect, location, faculty, students, and studies. Sounds like it was just one big happy family, working together for everyone's good. Your last lines sums it up well:
"The secret to a happy and successful school? Caring, and commitment."
Well written, Wendy, and will look forward to next chapter.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much Anne, and I greatly appreciate the six stars. A lovely honour, which makes me very happy. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Wendy
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You are welcome, Wendy. I haven't spent a lot of time on here this week so still had some sixes left. You deserve it.
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This was eye-opening. I've never seen, even heard of a school like this. It truly sounds like an ideal teaching-learning environment. If the other teachers were like you, these students were truly blessed. No school where I taught could compare. I taught in five different public schools and then substituted in a private school. I enjoyed the private school atmosphere more.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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This was eye-opening. I've never seen, even heard of a school like this. It truly sounds like an ideal teaching-learning environment. If the other teachers were like you, these students were truly blessed. No school where I taught could compare. I taught in five different public schools and then substituted in a private school. I enjoyed the private school atmosphere more.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much. It was a lovely place o work, and we worked hard. Our daily hours were at least an hour longer each day than for public schools, and we added extra-curricular activities on top of that. This was a private Christian school, but with low fees, so accessible to the majority. Other religions were welcome, but attendance at Chapel and Christian Ed was compulsory. No-one was forced to accept Christian teachings, but they were taught. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from LJbutterfly
This piece reminded me of some of the joyful events of my own high school experiences, and years later after retiring from my main career and teaching at a prestigious private school for young children. Your description of the grounds of your school, with rolling hills, lush green acreage, wild life, and the sounds of distant kookaburras and magpies, sounds peaceful and conducive to learning. The ingenious idea of a Birthday Box would make students feel recognized and appreciated. I also liked the idea of older children assisting younger children. There were many admirable things at the school. I look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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This piece reminded me of some of the joyful events of my own high school experiences, and years later after retiring from my main career and teaching at a prestigious private school for young children. Your description of the grounds of your school, with rolling hills, lush green acreage, wild life, and the sounds of distant kookaburras and magpies, sounds peaceful and conducive to learning. The ingenious idea of a Birthday Box would make students feel recognized and appreciated. I also liked the idea of older children assisting younger children. There were many admirable things at the school. I look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thank you so much for your lovely review. Always appreciated. It was indeed a great place to work. Another story soon.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
This sounds like a lovely school to work at. I have worked at many different schools in many different states and for DODS in Germany. I agree the teachers and the administration need to set the climate for the school, but I would like that add that parent cooperation is a must. In the school I just retired from we didn't have parent cooperation and it was a problem that infected the students.
She could not eat anything, but she knew that she mattered, even to the headmaster. (you can omit 'that')
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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This sounds like a lovely school to work at. I have worked at many different schools in many different states and for DODS in Germany. I agree the teachers and the administration need to set the climate for the school, but I would like that add that parent cooperation is a must. In the school I just retired from we didn't have parent cooperation and it was a problem that infected the students.
She could not eat anything, but she knew that she mattered, even to the headmaster. (you can omit 'that')
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thank you for reviewing Barbara. You are right. It was a very pleasant place to work although we worked very hard to keep it that way. At the beginning it was like a family but that decreased over the years. Parent cooperation is definitely a must, and we were fortunate to have that. They could see that their children were taught well and were happy, so they were happy. As our reputation grew, however, we got quite a number of difficult children - their parents wanted us to "straighten them out".
Wendy
