A little girl I've watched come out of her shell over the past few years

@sissy15 (12269)
United States
January 23, 2024 7:22pm CST
There is this little girl whom I've known since she was in kindergarten. In kindergarten, she barely knew any English and could only mildly understand it and she was so standoffish and quiet. I've been in the classroom with her the past two years and I love how far she has come. She is the sweetest little girl who is a big rule follower. Last year I made it my mission to get her to be a bit more outgoing and she has come such a long way. She now writes stories and reads them in front of the class and has started making friends. Her parents only speak Spanish so I know learning English has probably been pretty hard for her and sometimes she still struggles to speak to me but she tries and I make it a point to make sure she knows she doesn't have to be embarrassed because I don't understand. I am so impressed she can speak and understand English now. She barely spoke to anyone last year, especially not adults and now she feels comfortable coming up to me and telling me things and asking me things. She made me a picture once and she can draw very well. I still have the picture. She doesn't live too far from me and she gets excited and waves at me now whenever she sees me outside and she tried to tell me where she lived but I didn't quite understand. Yesterday she walked up to me and said "Is your birthday in March?" I said, "Yes, how did you know that?" She smiled and told me she just knew. She then came back with the date and asked me if that was correct and I said yeah and finally she told me the teacher had all of the birthdays hanging up. I smiled. I am always making sure everyone knows how amazing she is because she always gets lost in the shuffle. I was a lot like her when I was younger only I wasn't learning a whole new language. I was quiet and often overlooked. I followed the rules and I was usually the first kid forgotten and I've always tried to make sure that doesn't happen to her, especially with this group where she is one of the only well-behaved children. We have so many kids who never listen and she's always there paying attention and focusing and trying her best and I feel like she needs to know I see that and recognize that. Recently I have started trying to teach her how to tie her shoes. I make sure she knows it takes a lot of practice and it's ok if she doesn't get it right at first but that I'm proud of her for trying. I don't know if she'll remember me later but I'm always going to remember her. I'm super proud of her and how much she has struggled but I love that she has never given up and I love that she's coming out of her shell more. I know I'm hired to work with one kid in particular but I love that I get to work with all of the kids.
4 people like this
4 responses
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Jan
I'm glad you have raised her well to be where she is now. I hope she remembers you.
3 people like this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
24 Jan
Thank you, it hasn't only been me though there are definitely a lot of people who have helped her along the way as they say it takes a village. She also has herself to thank for continuing to keep moving forward. Hopefully she remembers me.
2 people like this
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Jan
@sissy15 I'm glad to know. You are welcomed
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15911)
• United States
24 Jan
That is wonderful the connection you have with this little girl. I am sure you are someone she will always remember as being kind to her.
3 people like this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
24 Jan
I hope she does. It's nice to know you leave an impression on someone.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134622)
• Roseburg, Oregon
24 Jan
That is so neat that you can help that little girl. I hope she continues to go far.
2 people like this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
24 Jan
Thank you I do too.
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
24 Jan
Your hard work had paid off. She had became confidenf and courageous to speak. That is a fruitful job you had done
2 people like this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
24 Jan
Thank you but it hasn't just been my hard work but everyone's. I can't take full credit. She also has her own hard work to thank. I'm just glad that she feels like she can come to me now when she wouldn't have before.
1 person likes this