23: School Mama
23: School Mama
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Teachers
School Mama
Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.
~Stevie Wonder
Every day, I hear the word “Mama” more than I hear my own name.
My students are all learning to speak for the first time.
Many say “Mama” before any other language emerges.
And no wonder, as vital as she is —
The first time it happened, I almost corrected the child.
But I’ve since found all that Mama can mean.
A simple word, Mama is a noun, and Mama is a verb.
Mama is their comfort, their mantra.
“Ma mamamama…”
They babble throughout our daily rhythm.
Mama is the calm amidst chaos.
Sometimes “Mama” slips out when they are asking me for help
tying their shoes
or when I am tucking them in for their nap.
Mama isn’t one person but code for so many comforts —
a special blanket
a preferred animal
a naptime movie
or even a teacher, honored to be caring for these tiny friends.
While I may never hear “Mama” from a child of my own
I am blessed to be a school mama —
a giver,
a comfort,
a friend.
~Naomi Townsend
You are currently enjoying a preview of this book.
Sign up here to get a Chicken Soup for the Soul story emailed to you every day for free!
Please note: Our premium story access has been discontinued (see more info).
-
Title: Reprinted by permission of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC © 2017. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.