This time of year, lust for buying bursts forth, and I freak out because gifts are not my love language. In order to give an alternative to consumerism seizing hearts and credit cards, here’s a story that just happened in my 7th grade classroom to make you smile, tear up a little, and perhaps even rethink what people value.
All names are changed to protect the identities of those involved, and I’m illustrating this article with photos I took around our school and around Boston over the past few months rather than revealing faces. To my students who may read this: Thank you for being so awesome! You inspire us.
So here’s the story. My Term 1 final exam was as follows: Present to the class, in a creative way, the most important or interesting thing you learned since September, either inside or outside of school.
Students took the assignment and FLEW, belting out art, dances, songs, poetry, and skits that sent us into fits of applause as we reflected on how much we’d grown in the past two months.
But the major moment came on day 3 of presentations in my most rambunctious class. (The wildest classes often do the best with free-form projects like this one. Their energy pours into expression.)
In this moment, a student named Zane unveiled his project: A hand-drawn picture so beautiful, the entire class gasped and sprung to their feet.
While I cannot reproduce the drawing here for privacy, know that it showed a rainbow-colored boy hugging his headphones to his ears, pulsing in color as darkness tried to push in around him. Zane used a blending tool (rolled cardboard) to melt the hues into one another. He explained that the drawing showed how music keeps him going through dark times.
Straining on their tippy-toes to be seen, the students began spontaneously bidding for Zane to gift them his artwork.
“That drawing is so beautiful,” yelled Peter as he threw open his wallet, “I will give you money for it right now!”
“If you give it to me,” hollered Annie, “I’ll frame it in my house and look at it every day.”
“I love that drawing so much,” Aiden shouted, “I will put it online so everyone can see it and praise what an amazing artist you are!”
Zane gazed out at the adoring, eager faces, the outstretched wallet, and the reaching hands.
“You have reached an important turning point,” I said to Zane, but also to the class. “At some time in our lives, we must all choose what we value most for our work. Zane, what do you desire above all: Money, Honor, or Fame?”
Zane beckoned me to come close so he could whisper something in my ear. He told me his choice and I grinned.
“Zane has made his decision of who will get his drawing!” I declared to the class. The students all grew silent, eyes yearning.
“He will gift his art to a student who did not make a bid, but provided something of value nonetheless,” I continued. The class looked around, confused.
“Zane has chosen to give his drawing to Gracia, the girl who read her poem earlier today and made everyone cry. Zane wanted his art to go to the person whose art moved HIM the most, in turn.”
The class erupted in cheers, because they knew Zane’s decision was right. Gracia’s poem had been personal, insightful, and powerful beyond measure. She deserved to take home the drawing.
Given the choice between money, honor, and fame, this student from my most rambunctious class had chosen love. Would we do the same?
This project was the best thing I’ve done in my 14 years of teaching, and I’ll do it again soon. It reaffirmed the lesson that creativity, art, and human connection are the core of education… and of being human.
It also reminded me that being a teacher can be the best career in the world. What a privilege to be able to work with such brilliant, compassionate, and insightful young people!
So what do YOU think? Do share!
See more drawing and art inspiration here.
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Beth says
Cheers from Block Island, RI! Go class and Lillie!
Skye says
This story made me so happy and gives me hope for the future of this world. These children could teach adults a thing or two about what it means to be a kind, thoughtful, and generous human being. -Skye in San Francisco, CA
Carol says
Great story. Keep up the good work.
It could be a country music song.
Carol in Nashville,Tenn
Jeff H says
Such an inspiring story! Wonderful moment for sure!
– Jeff from North Wales, Pennsylvania, USA
Michele - Perth Western Australia says
Keep up the good work! Very inspiring.
Sheila says
So often people get caught up in consumerism and it is hard to break free. This is a great story and an even better lesson!
Hello from Bangkok, Thailand.
Linda in New Zealand says
That’s so inspiring! Keep it up, everyone!
Leah says
Hello from Santa Fe, NM!
Trisha says
What an amazing group of students! Bravo to Zane for his inspired and compassionate choice. :-)
Hugs from the (currently) frozen northern Idaho, USA
Rejoice Tapon says
Hello everyone from Shallatin Egypt.
Very touching story, well done Zane.
Sending you all big hugs.
Rejoice Tapon originally from Maroua, Cameroon.
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas says
Moving – I can only hope the students I’ve taught could have taken empathy l, kindness and creativity with them from one of my lessons. Bravo from Madrid, Spain!
Jessie Voigts says
What a powerful thing kindness and thoughtfulness can be. Bravo!
Congratulations from Kalamazoo, Michigan
Dianne Smith says
Love this project and the energy your studuents put into it. Great stuff all!
Dianne from Terrace, BC Canada
David Nuttall says
Very cool.
Especially as a professional artist who is trying to become better known and get paid!
Interesting dilemma and a pretty cool outcome, as art is often a very personal connection.
Regards from Huntsville, AL (formally of Windsor, England)!
Shobha says
Love it! Shobha from London, England
E. Chris Summerhill says
This is an amazing story. Even better reading it the second time around. Much love from Yaoundé, Cameroon .
Robin Temple says
Wonderful and very inspiring! From Fairbanks, Alaska.
Marisa says
Sounds like an amazing class of students. You are all so fortunate to have each other!
Seasons Greetings from NYC ☃️
Christopher says
As a Special Needs Resource consultant who works with children who have special needs, I love reading inspiring stories like this and I love it when teachers take the time to share stories like this. Zane is awesome and Toronto, Canada loves you both!
Kevin Wagar says
Loving all the incredible stories of inspiring education! Keep it up!
All the best!
Kevin from Toronto, Canada
Ms. Mooltrey says
Dope! Yay for experiential and creative learning and yay for love, compassion and unity winning in the classroom! Peace and positive vibes from South Africa!
Suzanne Fluhr says
Greetings from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My father was a public school art teacher. You and your students are demonstrating the power of art to move people, and even nations.
Yanivi says
Love this! Keep up the great work, sounds like your students are as lucky to have you as you are to have them! Much love from Dar Es Salaam Tanzania!
Jessica says
This is such an amazing story! What an inspirational person you are, Zane! I’m tearing up on the train here in Tokyo, Japan!
Nicole Brewer says
I just loved this story Lillie! As a fellow teacher in Oman, it’s such a beautiful thing to see our students excelling and your students for sure have shown emotional intelligence in addition to immense talent. Keep up the great work!
Nicole from Detroit, MI (currently residing in Nizwa, Oman)
Kristen Ahlers says
As a Middle School English teacher in Yangon, Myanmar, I think your project sounds incredible. I love when love wins.
Dave M. says
Such a powerful and inspiring story! Your students should be proud!
– Dave from Seattle, Washington, USA