Recently, a film crew had to visit my classroom to get footage for an awards banquet coming up in November. One of my students has a strong aversion to cameras. For reasons of his own, he avoids them and always has. It is just his thing, and we have worked through it whenever the media comes my way. He has always stepped out to study elsewhere and returned when the cameras departed. That was the plan this time too.
That was the plan this time too...until I heard his voice at the beginning of the period that was hosting the camera crew. I heard him inquire about where he could sit that would be out of the main view of the camera, but he stayed in the room. He stayed the whole time and even participated in the activity. He stayed, and I was thrilled because he is an important part of that class.
The next day, I chatted with this young man. Our conversation went something like this:
"I was so proud of you yesterday."
"Why?"
"Because you stayed in class for the filming. I was so glad to have you there."
"Well, there was a reason I stayed."
"Oh, what was that?"
"I determined that that I could trust you, so I decided to stay."
That was my first unquestionably magic moment of this school year. "Above all, do no harm." That is for doctors. "Above all, be worthy of trust." That is for teachers. I am in the right profession.