Though children aren’t taught life skills like how to do your taxes or write a resume in school, they are required to endure rigorous standardized testing. These days even our elementary school children find themselves stressed out and filled with anxiety over passing tests that are supposed to measure how well are teachers teach.
But one teacher decided to things into perspective for her young students. Her soothing words even brought one of her students to tears.
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Source: Abby Martin
When Abby Martin picked up her 9-year-old son from school he explained that he was embarrassed because he cried at school. Thoughts of bullies or learning issues started to flood the worried mother’s mind until her son Rylan explained that he cried because of a letter his teacher wrote to her class.
The class was prepared for a round of standardized testing and after all their preparation their teacher reminded them that “these tests do not define you.”
Rylan told his mother that he was “happy” after reading the reassuring words. Martin was so touched by the gesture that she posted a picture of the letter on Instagram.
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Source: Abby Martin
“I asked him what upset him, and he told me he cried because he was happy about a letter his teacher gave his class before they take ISTEP,” Martin wrote. “Needless to say, when I read it, I cried too.”
There are many debates over the value of these tests and many parents struggle with seeing their young children so upset over tests that may or may not have any effect on their futures. Especially when childhood should be filled with joy and play. That’s why Martin was so moved by the letter.
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Source: Abby Martin
“These tests do not define you,” the letter read. “There are many ways of being smart. YOU are smart! YOU are enough! You are the light that brightens my day and the reason I am happy to come to work each day. So, in the midst of all these tests, remember that there is no way to “test” all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU.”
Martin and others who commented on her Instagram post agree that the world needs more teachers like this in the world for the sake of our children.
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