El Día de Amistad

Happy Day after Valentine's Day!

Maestra Jennifer, Maestra Carla y Maestra Ashley

Yesterday was by far my favorite day in Puerto Rico so far!  Ok, every day in Puerto Rico is a wonderful day, but yesterday was really special!  Yesterday, I celebrated Friendship Day with my students at Escuela Elemental...and let me just say, I experienced love in a whole new way!  

To start "love day" off right, the entire school headed to the music room for special performances, inspiring speeches and heart felt words from students, faculty, and members of the community. The assembly began with a prayer lead by one of the teachers.  (It's pretty awesome to have be able to pray with your students)  Then, the fourth grade class sang three songs and played their recorders, the principle gave a speech on how to promote peace in their community and for the finale, one of my very talented students, played the clarinet and sang the song, "Hay un amigo en mi" (You got a friend in me ) from Toy Story.

Now, I fully admit that I'm as sappy as they come and I love a good cry, but yesterday, I was in good company.  You see, the little boy who sang You Got a Friend in Me is autistic and at times can be quite the handful in the classroom...but at the end of the day, he is one of the most precious students I've ever worked with.  I've never been so proud in my life.  Not only did he play the clarinet like Benny Goodman but he also sang from the bottom of his heart.  As each word came out of his mouth, you could feel the love and sincerity in his voice.  It was contagious.  All the students joined in and clapped to the beat.  Talk about unity!


I'll see what you think! Click on the link below to watch his video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbxDbYUlXZ8

After drying my eyes, we headed back to the classroom where our class had a little party with sooooo much sugar but even more love!  First, our students exchanged presents with their "amigo secreto" and everyone went around the room saying wonderful and encouraging things about each classmate.  After that, our teacher gave the students an opportunity to ask for forgiveness for anything they may have done wrong to one of their fellow classmates.  It was incredible!  One little girl was even brought to tears as she mended things with some of her best friends in the class.  As you probably guessed....the tears started flowin....and they didn't stop there.

Throughout the entire week, my students focused on  the word igualdad (equality) and what that means in regards to love, peace and unity.  We talked about how we each as individuals can promote equality in the classroom, but my teacher decided to use one student as the prime example and representation of what  equality really means.  Like the boy who played at the assembly, this little girl also has special needs; she has cerebral palsy.  But, that doesn't slow her down, or keep her from smiling, and it certainly doesn't get in the way of her loving everyone EQUALLY.  For example, instead of bringing in one gift for her secret friend, she brought in gifts for the whole class. My teacher spent a good five to ten minutes talking about how this student embodies equality in every way.  My teacher praised her for her unconditional acceptance of everyone and her willingness to be friends with everyone.  She highlighted that she is not only beautiful on the outside but precious on the inside as well.  Even as I sit here and write this, I get choked up just thinking about her sweet smile and her loving demeanor.

My teacher and to the right, our beautiful example of Igualdad.

Our teacher is loved!

I mean she's really loved!

They love her SOOOO much they literally tackled her to the ground just to prove it!

Student- teacher bonding! 

The rest of the class period was spent doing a fun activity where each student had a piece of paper taped to their back and each classmate wrote positive things about one another.  It was one MEGA love fest.  Ashley and I participated as well...and here are some of the things my students had to say about me. :)

TQM= Te quiro mucho=I love you a lot!

One of my students wrote I was the most beautiful girl in the world! 

All my presents from my students and teacher! How could you not feel loved?

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Valentines Day. Here in Puerto Rico, Valentine's Day  isn't just a day for chocolates and flowers,  and it isn't just celebrated by those who have significant others.  Here, it's really about loving one another.  The kind of love that's beyond chocolates, diamonds, and roses.  The kind of love that's given freely and unconditionally.  The kind of love that unifies and goes much deeper and means much more than the kind of "love" they sell at Hallmark.  It's the kind of love the stays with you forever.

As my time here in Puerto Rico comes to a close, the memories, the special moments, and the love is what I will take home with me.  The smiling faces and the warm embraces of the kids at my school will be the priceless souvenirs that last a lifetime.   And, the invaluable lesson I've learned here is that regardless of race, age, gender, disability, or talent, every day es "el día de amistad"  and we should never fail to love like this every day of the year!

My teacher, my role model, my friend!