Mrs. Kopin

Who is that student sitting next to you? Oh, you might say a name and describe how tall he is, or the color of his hair, or various other superficial details. But none of these really describe who that person is. What lies beneath that surface description? What makes his heart beat, eyes tear, and lips sing?

Who then is that student sitting next to you? That student sitting next to you is a collage of people and places, of victories and failures, of flaws and successes, of memories and dreams. Behind the happy face lies a world of emotions struggling deep within to survive. For once take a moment and look inside him, and let your heart see what eyes have not.

That student sitting next to you is afraid. She is afraid that she won’t be accepted or liked. She is afraid that no one will come on Shabbat or call during the week. She is afraid to show her true emotions. She’s afraid of making a mistake or being stared at or laughed at. She is afraid of being different. She is afraid of being hurt. She’s afraid of not being invited, of being lonely, and of failure. She is afraid of being last.

That student sitting next to you worries. He worries about what people think of him. He worries about report cards and being rated. He worries about competition and peer pressure. He worries about being embarrassed and humiliated. He worries if his friends are being loyal or if he is being used. He worries about tomorrow. He worries about being picked and making the team. He worries about being loved and appreciated.

That student sitting next to you loves. She loves compliments. She loves applause. She loves a “100.” She loves a good joke and a good laugh. She loves substitutes and parties. She loves talking on the phone. She loves being first. She loves her family, her home, and her friends. She loves going on vacation and trips. She loves spring and summer. She loves presents and surprises. She loves her birthday. She loves to be free, lazy and to sleep late. She loves supper time. She loves to make plans. She loves to be right, to win, and to dream. She loves to be loved.

That student sitting next to you hates. He hates tests and being judged. He hates being late and detentions. He hates pens that leak. He hates snobs. He hates being bored. He hates the alarm clock and 7:00 A.M. He hates soggy cereal and unexpected quizzes. He hates tricky test, and he hates bad grades.  He hates being alone. He hates to cry. He hates saying, “I’m Sorry.” He hates hearing, “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” He hates phonies and criticism. He hates whispers behind loosely cupped hands. He hates arguments. He hates injustice. He hates being used.

That student sitting next to you struggles. She struggles to be herself. She struggles to not be jealous. She struggles to overcome failure and disappointments. She struggles to be kind. She struggles to keep up and she struggles to let go. She struggles to learn and to understand. She struggles to compromise and to tolerate. She struggles to be strong and to survive. She struggles to praise and to acknowledge. She struggles to find and she struggles to hold on.  She struggles to smile. She struggles to believe and to trust. She struggles to hope.

That person sitting next to you wants all of the things that you want. He wants to be accepted and to be appreciated He wants a shoulder, a smile. He wants to belong. He wants to be remembered and missed. He wants to be given a chance.

Do you know that student sitting next to you in class? Do you hear her voice screaming silently for a glance, a nod, a nice word or has the sound of your own voice deafened your heart? Do you stare or do you search? Do you bother to look inside or are you quick to dismiss, condemn, or simply ignore?

Know that each person possess an extraordinary value inherent in the soul of every Jew regardless of his/her accomplishments, fame or wealth. Know that he/she wants to be treated just like you!