Sometimes, kids at school reach out to me. Some give me puzzles to do, others ask me to buy Girl Scout Cookies or read their stories. This time, a student wrote an email that broke my heart, just a little. I found them in the hallway yesterday and told them I need time to think about all the beautiful and thoughtful questions they asked before responding back.
But I still feel the need to acknowledge their words. I’m carrying this kid with me. Perhaps you recognize either yourself or another kid here. My hope is, next week, I’ll have a poem to offer in response.
Dear Mrs. Levin,
you say education
is about getting the right questions
and not the right answers
but
then
why does my mom
get mad at me
for getting my math problems wrong?
because
she is smart
and I think I am smart
but I’m not
smart like her
she says
smart people can do ANYTHING
they want,
that they deserve good things in the world
and I have a choice:
to be someone important like a judge
and make lots of money
or
just be a clerk at a store
she asks
who do I want to be?
and
I want to be smart,
I want to make money
and do all the things my mom tells me
smart people
like her
do with their lives
but whatif
if have right questions
and not any right answers?
Can ANYONE ever have
the right questions
if they NEVER
have any right answers?
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
My heart is aching for this kid. I can tell they want to do their personal best, but that doesn’t seem good enough for mom. Oye oye oye.
I know you’ll respond with kindness and will be supportive. So glad this child has you in their life.
How sad and what pressure that poor child is under. I echo what Stacey said. I know that with your compassion you will come up with some encouraging words for this child.
this is so powerful, and proves that kids are very perceptive. parents don’t always know the impact of their words – mom is frustrated since she gets the problem quickly and probably has a knack for math. but the child thinks they are dumb.. so hard
I am glad she has you, Lainie, someone who can obviously be trusted with the feelings that torment. I hope that just knowing she’s been heard, been able to share what’s disturbing her, and that you’re there in her corner, her champion, will make all the difference.
I read your slice earlier and wanted to respond on my phone, but I actually teared up in the process! Your student is sharing the hard and strong feelings of so many that success is measured in perfection, accomplishments and achievements. Sigh. It is not, as you know. This student, well all your students, are lucky to have you in their circle of trust.
Oh, my. How do you answer this one?