Grit and Grace

As the last weeks of the school year unfold, my daily mantra has been “Grit and grace. Grit and grace.”

After I’d given a spellbinding library lesson (I do my own reviews, obviously), it was time to check out books. Four students needed to stay with me because they hadn’t returned their books yet. I had curated a small stack of titles I knew they would love before these kindergartners arrived so they could read to self while their classmates trickled back into our library classroom.

“I don’t want to read.”

This from a five-year-old whose reluctance was a little fierce.

Enter the grit of a teacher who believes she can help anyone fall in love with books.

“Okay, I’ll read to you. Sit next to me and you can follow along.”

If there was a job that involved only reading aloud, I would immediately apply. I love it and am good at it, and I performed the reading of this picture book with the brilliance it was due.

The child got up halfway through—halfway, mind you—grabbed a different book off the pile, and, without saying a word or glancing back, walked to a desk, plopped down, and began to read.

Internal dialogue of Wow, . . . rude transitioned immediately to grace: They were asked to read. He is reading. I will take this as a win.

I’m sure that you, like me, experience numerous daily opportunities to display grit and grace in your classroom. My wish for you is that the remaining days of your school year will be filled with just the right combination of the two, and the wisdom to know when to summon your grit and when to extend grace.