Every year, I talk to each class three times a year about Erin's Law. If you are not familiar it is the law that mandates that students are educated on child sexual assault at a developmentally appropriate level from preschool through high school. I really enjoy going into the classes and having an opportunity to teach within the classrooms. I don't get to do that as often as I have in the past.
Teaching about this law gives me a sense of gratitude that I get to teach children about how to empower themselves and to use their little but mighty voices. They learn that their body is theirs and theirs alone. They are taught to find a trusted adult and keep telling until someone takes action to help them. It brings awareness that predators are not just that creepy man lurking in an alley way, but more times than not a person who is quite familiar to them. After these lessons, I will have students to ask to talk to me privately. When they do, your heart will sink to know that this is critical. I may have the little second grader who says "well my mommy touches my brother's bottom" and you ask a clarifying question or two. Then I find out that the brother is a baby and the mom is just changing his diaper. I explain, "Remember that is to keep your brother healthy" and she happily skips back to class. Other times, a child asks to speak with you immediately following the lesson. They burst into tears as they tell me that a relative or a family friend has been abusing them. I have to stay composed except that I want to cry with them. But if I break down who will be there to pick up their pieces and try to make them whole again. In that moment I remind them of how brave they are beyond measure and that they did exactly what I have been teaching them to do....TELL. I always think that if those lessons have helped "even one" child, then it is time well spent. A few years ago, I had a student return for a school function. I knew immediately who she was and the connection we shared through her abuse. She was still as brave as the moment she disclosed about the abuse. She said to me "You saved my life." I hugged her and burst into tears, we just couldn't let go of each other. That moment is as real for me now as it was then. (As I am typing with tears rolling down my face) I will continue to have an open door policy to talk with me, I may ask if it is an emergency or can we schedule a time. But I will always make time, I never want anyone to feel as though they don't have a voice. I want all my little friends to continue to be brave. I feel strongly that, you may not know the impact we have on the students’ lives at such a young age. We get to plant the seeds and hopefully they come back as adults and we get to see how the flowers grew.
4 Comments
Teri Keys
3/22/2019 05:47:05 am
You build such great relationships with every student and family you encounter. They are so lucky to have you!
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Michelle
3/25/2019 07:40:01 pm
Thanks Teri. I see how your little people love you too!! (especially when they can't walk past your door without looking to see if you are in there!)
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Sara T.
3/24/2019 12:56:58 pm
Thanks for all the feels and tears with this post. I don't know how you keep it together when things like this are shared with you. All I can imagine is heavy gulps. I am so happy that children have you as a resource and you are so right about even one. Even one is worth it all!
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Michelle
3/25/2019 07:41:38 pm
Lots of deep breaths Sara, lots of them!
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AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
March 2022
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