The HEART

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The HEART

• is a lonely hunter

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as it navigates each of us through the
fog... of our experiences
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it can become a barren wasteland of neglect and
indifference
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or a wellspring of forgiveness, compassion and
hope
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but still, differences aside, the heart unites us
in sadness, grief and sorrow
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and in joy, in celebration, and success
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It anchors us in times of need
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it makes us wonder, think and reflect it makes
us weigh and measure our existence
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we begin listening to our heart very early in
life
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it follows us... everywhere... until the very end
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So, as we work in the education arena, Lets
look at who we teach for a moment
with our hearts
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Tessa is 4 years old. She is so excited about
starting school next year that she already
plays school at home on her chalkboard
in anticipation of what the school years will
bring.
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She doesn't yet understand that her IQ is in the
lower quartile, and that school will be a
struggle throughout her childhood and
adolescence
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She will never make it unless she
encounters adults... with great heart
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Trang lives in two worlds. At home she is
Vietnamese. Her parents barely speak English. At
school she is American. It can be a tough
balancing act.
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Preston is a tremendous athlete with a great
future in college sports, but he will have to
pass 5 state SATP exams and survive the
ACT. Tough as he is... he will need some help
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Jeremy thinks he's Superman. He will turn 8 this
year. . . he will also qualify for Special
Education this year . . . and begin dealing
with a lifelong disability.
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Shelley is fearless, exuberant and excitable...
But inwardly she is suddenly terrified. Her
parents are splitting up this year. She will need
help.
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Bobby. Big house. Great parents. All the toys and
more. A great attitude and social skills. Life is
a blast . . . he loves school . . . and we love
Bobby. He's easy.
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Jake. Never met his Dad. Raised by a struggling
single Mom. Watches the other kids drive their
own cars, go on vacation, go boating and jet
skiing. He feels cheated. . . and he's mad.
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Tonya is bi-racial. Things can get
complicated. Lots of questions, lots of
looks. She just wants to be . . . herself
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They say Ginger is wild and outgoing. They don't
know that she is bipolar. Depression will take
her this year.
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Sarah is 15. She is beautiful and intelligent,
but she doesn't know it. No one has ever told
her. She will be pregnant before year's end...
and not finish school.
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Shelley's Dad was killed in Iraq two years
ago... and now Mom has been diagnosed with
cancer... Shelley doesn't know what to do
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the HEART... fragile as it is can be a
raging battleground
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a struggle between doing nothing . . . or doing
the right thing
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WAIT... WATCH... OR INTERVENE?
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Think about it or reach out?