Touched by an Angel

I was extremely touched this week by the beautiful soul of little Magdelena.

My largest class this year is a good mix of students. I've got students from every grade, 9th-12th. I've got super studious, diligent students, and students who refuse to do work. I've got students who refuse to quit talking and students who won't say a word.... literally. I have one student in the class that has not said a word the entire year. He exibits all the signs of a selective mute though he has not been diagnosed as such. When someone talks to him, he seems frightened.

One would think that students would be very mean to Zach. I believe that to be the case in other classrooms; however, in my class there seems to be nothing but kindness toward Zach.

This week I got to experience the presence of an angel in my room. I asked Zach if he had an email account. He didn't move a muscle, so I assumed that meant, "No." So I said,"Zach, we're going to have to set you up with an email. I'll help you in a minute."

Out of nowhere, I heard a sweet voice say,"I'll help him."

Magdalena is a student who I rarely see. When she is in class, she is usually pretty quiet. She hangs out with some of the talkers though she's not much of a talker herself.

Usually other students try to avoid Zach, so my heart filled with joy when sweet Magdalena offered to help him directly. I gave her some subtle advice on how she might work with Zach - just tell him when you need him to type something, then give him some time, be patient, and wait for him to comply.

Magdalena pulled up a chair next to Zach and walked him through the whole process. One time I saw her tell him something then just sit there waiting. I asked how things were going. She gently said, "He's thinking." Love touched my heart, and I'm sure it touched his.

Within 20 minutes Zach had an email account set up. Magdalena had written down all the notes that he would need to save for later.

Touched by her grace, I snuck her a card, "Dear Magdalena, Thank you for offering to help Zach. You have a special gift and an amazing grace about you. That beauty shined so bright today."

I thank God for the gift that he shared with me this week, and the gift he shared with Zach, throught the loving beauty of an angel- sweet Magdalena.