Tribute

The other night, I watched the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, which is about the life of Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers). Near the end of the film, they play a clip of a commencement speech to all the people who’ve been interviewed in the film. The speech is incredible and that segment of the film is very touching. Here’s that portion of his speech:

“Anyone who has ever graduated from a college, anyone who has ever been able to sustain a good work has had at least one person - and often many - who believed in him or her. We just don't get to be competent human beings without many different investments from others.

In fact, from the time you were very little, you've had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, loved you into loving.

So, on this extra special day, let's take some time to think of those extra special people. Some of them may be right here, some may be far away. Some may even be in heaven. No matter where they are, deep down you know they've always wanted what was best for you. They've always cared about you beyond measure and have encouraged you to be true to the best within you. Let's just take a minute of silence to think about those people now.

One minute of silence

Whomever you've been thinking about: just imagine how grateful they must be that you remember them when you think of your own becoming.

We don't always succeed in what we try - certainly not by the world's standards - but it's not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our very  being is good stuff.”

Who is it that has “smiled you into smiling” or “talked you into talking?” Was it your mother, a dear friend, a memorable teacher?

It made me wonder if you can also read someone into reading? I believe so. Some of the ways we can do this is by:

• Reading with or to a child rather than assigning it as homework.
• ​Sharing beautiful, funny, meaningful, compelling, action-packed, information-filled, and intriguing books and stories that they will want to pick up afterwards.
• Making learning visible through "think-alouds," which explains the reading process in real time.
• ​Showing your absolute joy in a book (and books in general) as you read to children.
• Telling kids about what we struggle(d) with in reading. Explain that it’s a very complex process that involves your brain, eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and heart.
• ​Honing our own acting and oratory skills to become a mesmerizing and memorable storyteller.
• ​Letting our children/students know what we are feeling/learning/experiencing from the books that we are reading ourselves.

And one day, perhaps a graduate will think of you during that minute of silence for giving them the gift of reading.