Today was saturday. I have my enrichment classes. I saw all my kids coming back to class, growing and growing. They NEVER failed to greet me with smiles and happy new year wishes. I was teaching the 4-5 year olds. They learn phonics, reading and writing. My first class was well-behaved and as they have been with me, they were really crazy and doing their work. My second class was science play. I had 3 children. hahaha.. we still had fun. I skipped lunch(diet). I had a new parent toddler class. I was medicore. My battery was dying out!

I finished class at 3.30. I had another class at 4.30. I rested for a while and prepared stuff. It was a new class and the children are seeing me for a first time. I was prepared for cryers..screamers! To my amazement, the first few kids who stepped into class were settled! I saw a round belly lady at the door. I ignored her. She asked me, "room 6?" i replied yes!. Oh god! Why is she coming to my class?

WHY DID I FEEL LIKE THAT ABOUT THIS CHILD.?

FLASH BACK.

the child, N used to study in the kids play class(playgroup)-independent class. My colleague who was dark skinned was rejected by the child. When I say rejected, She wailed and screamed that she did not wanna go into class. My colleague got upset. The parents said they prefered only a fair skinned teachers. I was there when the parents were complaining to my boss. I was so disgusted to see modern parents to be discriminating the teachers and race. I told my boss, I would not want her in my class because I would not accept it if the parent blames my skin for the child's tantrum. I pitied the parents for a narrow mind and the child, of what she has been put through.

COMING BACK....
I smiled, kept calm. She walked in with a crackling face. She looked at me and smiled. I smiled back. I saw her bag and asked if she liked the charachter in it and she went no, i only like mickey mouse! So i asked if i could draw her a mickey mouse, she got closer. She hugged me. AND SHE DID NOT CRY!she did not even cry when her other friends were sobbing for parents. She yearned for my attention and held on to my hand. I WAS SO HAPPY!she is so brilliant and she has got a very special spot in my heart!

Her mum spoke to me after class, she was suprised her daughter had adjusted herself to me and was proud of her child. I looked at her and said "mummy, it is not about what colour or how the person looks, children accept everyone open heartedly, WE AS ADULTS must not teach them to see the differences in the wrong way."The mum smiled and told me, she was pleased and she had already prepared herself thinking her daughter would not attend class ANYMORE. But after today, she said she will come back evey week!

I feel very glad that I was able to show a child, whatever is on the surface does not make the person,it's SKIN DEEP!

I LOVE TODAY!