Exclusive Content:

School Forces Student to Take Jesus Out of Graduation Speech, Plan Gloriously Backfires When She Drops This Line

“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say..."

‘You Are Made in the Image of God’—Valedictorian’s Faith-Filled Graduation Speech Goes Viral for All the Right Reasons

A South Carolina high school valedictorian is going viral for her very faith-based graduation speech following a devastating tragedy.

High School Valedictorian Delivers Graduation Speech Hours After Dad’s Funeral

Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic has gone viral after he took the stage at his graduation ceremony to deliver his speech—just hours after his father's funeral. 

“My Son’s Teacher Sent a Video Today. Tears Ran Down My Face as I Listened to Her Words”: Mom Grateful for Teachers, Says ‘You Matter Now More Than Ever’

My son’s teacher sent a video today.

As we started lessons and our new “homeschool” routine, we played the video.

I listened as she called each student by name.
My son’s face lit up as he heard her say, “Isaiah.”

She said that they need to keep working hard, keep doing their best.

She said that everything is ok.

“We can still see each other.
We still have each other.”

My son listened intently to her words as his face relaxed.

She gave him more than directions for the day,
she gave him a sense of calm of in the storm.

A bit of normalcy on this scary detour.

Tears ran down my face as I listened to her words.

I needed to hear them as much as he did.

Everything is going to be ok.
We still have each other.

Just like that I was reminded how scary this is for everyone- but especially our children.

I was also reminded how thankful I am for the teachers.

I am thankful for their hearts that truly want the best for these children.

I have heard the jokes, but I KNOW they aren’t looking at this as a “vacation” or a break. They are looking at this as a hurdle-one that we all have to work through together.

I have many teacher friends in my life and everyone of them has shared with me that they are devastated because some of their students only eat at school, and they don’t know what happens now.

The kids who can’t afford to fall behind in school-those are the very ones without access to the internet or resources to effectively home school.

So many students look to school as an escape, a safe place-and now their lives are spinning.

Our teachers are reeling over school closings.

They came into this profession because they love children. They want to make a difference.

In spite of it all, the skimpy paychecks, the overloaded system, and the ever-changing policies- they boldly entered into the profession.

And now, in the face of a National Pandemic, they keep advocating-they keep caring, more than we know.

They come up with plans and activities and online classes, knowing half of their students probably won’t be able to see it.

They help brainstorm programs and aids to reach the kids who are left in margins.

They lose sleep and shed tears for all the unknowns, but after that-they do what they have always done. They make a plan and get it done.

They look through the camera and plead with our children to keep their heads up.

They tell us to keep working hard.
Everything is going to be ok.
We still have each other.

Thank you, teachers.
Thank you for everything.
Your words and heart matter now more than ever.

****

**This post was written by Momstrosity and originally appeared on their Facebook page.

*FOR MORE PARENTING ENCOURAGEMENT FOLLOW Momstrosity.

Nathan Soufer
Nathan Soufer
Nathan Soufer is a 25-year-old software engineer currently working for Microsoft. He is currently living in San Francisco, but he grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Nathan is passionate about helping others discover the strength they need to make the most out of their lives. You can follow his journey on Instagram: @nathansoufer. You can also contact him on Facebook.

School Forces Student to Take Jesus Out of Graduation Speech, Plan Gloriously Backfires When She Drops This Line

“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say..."

‘You Are Made in the Image of God’—Valedictorian’s Faith-Filled Graduation Speech Goes Viral for All the Right Reasons

A South Carolina high school valedictorian is going viral for her very faith-based graduation speech following a devastating tragedy.

High School Valedictorian Delivers Graduation Speech Hours After Dad’s Funeral

Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic has gone viral after he took the stage at his graduation ceremony to deliver his speech—just hours after his father's funeral.