At the end of a writing class, I asked the students to share what they had written. We had a new student at the school, whose name was Johnson. Johnson had been with us for only a short while and was still trying to fit in, so I was a little surprised when he volunteered to read. I asked him to read, but inside I wished that the other students would not laugh at him.

    Johnson began to read, ”If I had one wish, it would be to meet my dad …” He started out loud and clear. He told how he had never seen his father. He told how he tried to be the only man in the house at such a young age.

    I took a look at the students. I knew some kids liked to laugh at others. However, all of my students were listening. They were letting him do this, I thought. They were allowing him to share something.

    “If I had one wish, it would be to meet my dad, so I wouldn't have to close my eyes every night just wondering what he looks like, ” Johnson finished. The class stood up and applauded (鼓掌).They all ran to Johnson withhugs. My eyes got wet.

    This is why I teach. I teach because I can watch kids grow and laugh and learn and love.