Even when we're bothered, we're kind.  Even then.

The looks of disbelief happen often-- it's math class after all and math blows our minds.  But kindness really rocks the world of these kiddos because their reality isn't often kind.  And the more I talk about kindness the more aware I am of my own selfishness, of the tones that leak out, of the way my eyebrows mock and my eyes roll and my head shakes.

What does kindness look like in math class?

We're learning to put up.  To give grace.  To understand bad days and to cut slack.  They are stunningly kind.  They are a group of energy filled bodies and they buzz from the minute they walk in the room until they leave.  They hum.  They flail.  But they also say Please stop.  Please be still.  May I please move?  Oh, and they have shifted recently from policing to supporting.  Mrs. C, I think he needs my squishy ball more than I do, is that okay?  Mrs. C, maybe he would like to sit where I am sitting, it's quiet here.  

What do we do when we try kindness and it doesn't seem to work?  What do we do when we meet unkindness?

Not keeping score is hard.  Especially for this group of comparing, measuring, competitive monsters. Especially when the leader of this group (oh, me) is goal oriented, results motivated, thirsty for justice and fairness.  What do we do when unkindness occurs?  This.  We keep on keeping on.  We plow through with a smile.  We ask for help if we need to but we never, ever make anyone feel small.  No matter how small they are making us feel.  We never make them feel silly or stupid.  Their eyes-- bright.  Their smiles-- slow and then huge.

And just this week, because we are all human and because we are still learning, an unkind moment sprung up and they stood with fire in their eyes when before they might have laughed.  And apologies flew, champions grew, my heart-- it burst.