Ridwan

Over the past two months working at Escalante, I have am realizing that one of my students is having a profound impact on me, not only as a teacher, but as a person.

Ridwan, a young 2nd grader who I work with daily doing reading interventions in a program called Read Naturally has slowly been teaching me in immeasurable ways.

This is a girl who has faced, and will continue to face obstacles. Yet in the midst of chaos, she approaches life like a young warrior who tries her very hardest, and doesn't forget to laugh along the way.

Every time she practices her reading. Every time she greets me with a smile. Every time she beams and rushes to the computer lab with a glorious energy.

She shows me- dedication, perseverance, grace, gratitude, and joy. 

Her name, meaning good will, captures her spirit completely and wholly.  

This girl has a good heart.

And she is teaching me, everyday.