My ninth grade daughter’s computer science teacher used
emojis in an email in which he answered her questions.
I could tell, by how she lit up when she showed me the email,
that those emojis gave her strength, and made him cool.
And when I get an email from Ms. Poplar, our school’s LSTC,
I feel like my need is the most pressing and important thing
on her mind and that she is ever happy to help me out. Her
email signature reads “Warmest regards”, and I’m undone.
Last time I went to Chik-fil-a, I wanted hazelnut for my
coffee. When they didn’t have the flavor I requested they
shuffled out, asked if vanilla was okay. At my gratitude they
said “Ma pleasure!” with a grin, and I always say that now
because of them. And I use emojis and “warmest regards”
so that my students feel like they’re wanted and worth it.
During the month of November, I will be joining Teach Write in the #Gratiku challenge, in which we write and share a gratitude haiku (or other poemish piece) every day in November. I may not write every day, but I will certainly try my best.
If you’re a teacher of writers (or a writer… don’t have to be a teacher) and you’re looking for a supportive group of other writers to encourage you along your writing journey, check out Teach Write.
Sara Oyela 