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A Giant In The Crowd
A Note from Mary
What keeps people motivated to BE their best selves day in and day out?
I think it's the stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things by attending to the simple things in life.
John Wayne "Jack" Schlatter, author of some of the most beloved stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, now comes forth with his own collection of inspirational writings. Sharing lessons, insights, and humor gathered over 35 years in the classroom and as a member of one of the most amazing families in America, he will touch your heart, tickle your funny bone, and enrich your wisdom.
Three of his stories have had a tremendous impact on the American culture. I Am a Teacher is one of the most widely read and reprinted tributes of the last ten years. The Simple Gesture has been known to save lives and form new friendships and has been rewritten and retold throughout the nation. The Magic Pebbles received a great compliment from Jack Canfield, coauthor of the Chicken Soup series. Asked by Modern Woodman magazine to choose the "single" story which meant the most to him, he named The Magic Pebbles.
"Jack Schlatter is a charismatic, consummate communicator who will have you laughing through your tears as he squeezes your heart with timeless truths."
-Mark Victor Hansen, Co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
"Do not pass up the opportunity to be entertained and inspired by this amazing human being."
-Jack Canfield, Co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
"Jack Schlatter's class was like a place from Camelot, some place mystical, where your imagination counted, where it could soar... His writings will help the reader discover their kingdom within.
-Maura Conion-McIvor, Author of the best-selling FBI Girl, How I Learned to Crack My Father's Code
"Those students fortunate enough to have had Jack Schlatter as a teacher have been inspired for life. His lessons, speeches, and writings have led countless students to discover their own inner genius. He is the most effective teacher I have ever known."
-Jim Cross, Ed. D., Former Finalist California Teacher of the Year |
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An excerpt from
Gifts by the Side of the Road
by John Wayne "Jack" Schlatter
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A GIANT IN THE CROWD
Since drama is made up of life, teaching drama gives one the opportunity to teach life. However,I didn't think I ever taught as much as I was privileged to learn from my students. Such was the "Giant" named Jimmy, who walked into my class in 1963.
Jimmy was one of the "special education" students who had been mainstreamed, and I felt privileged to have him in my class. Not only was he "special," but he was to "educate" us all.
Drama students are great fun, as they are creative, spontaneous, outspoken, and disarmingly honest. However, these very qualities sometimes get inthe way of a thing called "consistency." So it was that after two months, the only student that had done every single assignment was Jimmy.
I could only imagine how hard it was for him at times. He was fighting muscular coordination difficulties as well as speech and vision problems, but he never shirked from any responsibility.
I constantly bragged about him being "excuse free." One day, I called on him, and he looked back at me, smiled, and told me he wasn't ready to perform. I detected a slight twinkle in his eye,and I asked him to stay after class for a moment.
"Jimmy, you were ready weren't you?" Iasked.
"Yes sir," he replied.
"Why didn't you then perform, Jim? You did the work, you deserve the credit."
He shuffled his feet, looked up, and smiled. "Well," he said, "I didn't want the other kids to feel bad. I have more free time than they do to get the homework done, and I didn't want any of them to get discouraged."
As the year progressed, the kids became more aware of their good fortune in having a genius in their midst who was so skilled in the art of humanity.
I have asked the following question to countless groups in seminars: When you see someone crying, you go up to them and usually say something. What is it you say?
"What's wrong?" is the answer that is given time and time again.
Jimmy would never have answered with that phrase. In such a situation, he would always say, "Can I help?"
One day I was particularly struck by Jimmy's asking another student if he could help and asked him directly why he didn't ask, "What's wrong?"
"Well, Mr. Schlatter," he said, "I never thought much about it, but I guess I figure it's not my business 'what's wrong,' but if I can help them fix what's wrong, that is my business."
We ended every year of the drama department with a banquet and speech modeled after the Academy Awards. That year, the students wanted to give Jim some special recognition for all he had meant to them.
I gave him a poem to read called Myself, which I felt best reflected his unspoken but totally lived philosophy.
We had saved his moment to be near the end of the evening. After he was introduced, he approached the front of the auditorium ...
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Click here to read the FULL length Tribute to a Teacher's Heart. Click on "Featured Story" tab... |
www.GiftsByTheSideOfTheRoad.com |
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START THE YEAR RIGHT!
Welcome Back Gift for Every Teacher! A heartfelt daily reminder to remember why we became educators.
Today, we're pleased to offer I Am A Teacher 8" X 10" Print for only $2 and our 16" X 20" Poster for $10, regularly $14.95,
a savings of 33%.
For more information, just click here
Also, make sure appreciate those who teach - no matter what industry - and share this email with your friends, family and colleagues. They'll thank you for it!
Reaching out ...
Mary Robinson Reynolds
Founder, Heart Productions & Publishing
makeadifference.com/Gifts
SPECIAL OFFER:
Receive 33-55% Savings & and up to 60% Savings on 2 cases of Gifts by the Side of the Road for your organization today: GiftsByTheSideOfTheRoad.com/OrderNow |
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