Fun fact: Most of the class correctly answered the bonus question on their quiz: Who’s favorite bird is the sandpiper?
Last week, my ninth graders were studying Sandpiper, a story about a lady who had
lived in two different countries. In her story, she identified with both places
and felt caught in the middle of these lives.
I reminded my kids that they were some of the best people to
relate to this story. I then asked them to raise their hands if they had moved.
All their hands shot up.
I then polled the twenty-five students of how many times
they had moved.
From one country to another: two-thirds of the class.
Three different countries: half the class.
Four different countries: about five students.
Five different countries: one student.
The diversity of this room represents the reality of our
school. Our students have seen, encountered, and known so many new places and
cultures. They have met people from all over the world. And for many of them,
home is a fluid concept.
There are benefits and challenges to this reality. They may
not know how to answer “Where are you from?” but they can speak three different
languages. They may not be up on the latest pop culture, but they can float
from culture to culture with ease.
They are such a special group of
kids and I am blessed to know them.
