We have learned about courage and tenacity. We have learned about an unquenchable desire to learn and grow under very trying circumstances. We have learned about patience and about living with pain. We have learned about making the best of a difficult situation, about putting on a cheerful face, despite great discomfort. We have learned about sustaining friendships with others, when we have every right to focus only upon ourselves. We have learned that our children are often our best teachers.
We cannot give grades for these lessons; they are profound lessons that go far beyond grades. Soon there will be a time for grades, and we are certain that those grades will be as outstanding in the future as they have been in the past. Soon we will all share in Elan’s pride in his academic achievements. But, no matter how stellar his achievements will be, and they will surely be stellar, they will not compare with the personal bravery of the fourth grader who has inspired us all.
Elan’s fourth grade teacher. More on Elan here.