Episode #7 Season 2 The Transformative Power of Empathy and Well-Being in Education

Can a single moment of empathy change a student's life forever? Join me, Lori Maxfield, as I explore this question through the inspiring story of "Mrs. Thompson and Teddy." This tale from my early teaching days highlights the transformative power of understanding and compassion in the classroom. As we navigate the hectic holiday season, I offer heartfelt encouragement to educators everywhere, emphasizing the importance of empathy with our students. 

A healthy work-life balance not only enhances teaching effectiveness but also inspires future generations.

In this episode I encourage teachers to genuinely focus on each child in your class. Some may actually  have hardships just like Teddy. We have the power to make a lasting difference in a child's life.  

I encourage fellow educators to seek joy and fulfillment in their work and to be a supportive force in the school community. Remember, your well-being is crucial for your success as an educator. As we conclude our podcast offerings for the year, I invite you to share this journey with friends who might benefit, and I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2025. Thank you for being a part of this nurturing and impactful community.

Thanks for listening!

Transcript

Inspiring Story of Teddy Stoddard

Speaker 1 0:00

This is Wellness for Educators , episode 7 . You need to be well to teach well . That is the motto , seeking a healthy balance . You matter , and so does your health . There is life beyond the classroom . This is Wellness , wednesday , november 20 , 2024 . Wellness for Educators . Lori Maxfield , your host , hope you were able to listen to episode six and maybe make one phone call and experienced a positive interaction with a parent or co-worker . In addition , maybe you are even getting a better night's sleep . If we put our health as a priority , it is amazing how much better we feel . I know the holidays can be busy times , so this podcast is a bit shorter . Your time is valuable and I want to be sensitive to this . This is the last podcast for 2024 . Episodes will begin again in January .

Speaker 1 1:06

In a moment you are going to hear a story that was read to me at a faculty meeting , one of my first years of teaching . This story basically impacted my whole career . My maiden name was Thompson and so when I originally heard the story , I was Miss Thompson and it felt written for me . If you've heard this story before , no worries . It is always a great reminder of the importance of what we do daily for children . Never forget the incredible impact you can make in a student's life . Yes , that is you . You have the ability to make a lasting impact , one child at a time . I'm not sure if you're a teacher , paraprofessional librarian or the custodian . If you are part of a school , you have the ability to make a true difference .

Speaker 1 1:53

I know my youngest daughter . When she was in preschool she had a special lady that worked in her class . She was not the main teacher , but she assisted . We always referred to her as Mrs T teacher , but she assisted . We always referred to her as Mrs T . She was actually invited to my daughter's high school graduation party because Mrs T made a lasting impact on all of us . To this day , mrs T holds a special place in our hearts . That is the difference we all can make . I have attempted to read this story over and over and as I practiced for this podcast , but was unable to read the story without crying . Today I am blessed to have a narrator to help me . Rachel Rhodes is going to be reading the story to you . The title of the story is Mrs Thompson and Teddy . Welcome , rachel .

Speaker 2 2:49

As soon as she stood in front of her fifth grade class on the very first day of school , she told the children an untruth . Like most teachers , she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same . However , that was impossible because there in the front row , slumped his seat , was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard . Mrs Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children , that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath . In addition , teddy could be unpleasant . It got to the point where Mrs Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen , marking bold X's and putting big F on the top of his papers . At the school where Mrs Thompson taught , she was required to review each child's past records , and she put Teddy's off until last . However , when she reviewed his file , she was in for a big surprise . Teddy's first grade teacher wrote Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh . He does his work neatly and has good manners . He is a joy to be around . His second grade teacher wrote Teddy is an excellent student , well-liked by his classmates , but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle . His third grade teacher wrote His mother's death has been hard on him . He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken . Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school . He doesn't have many friends and seems to sleep in class .

Speaker 2 4:31

By now Mrs Thompson realized the problem . She was ashamed of herself . She felt even worse when the students brought her Christmas presents wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper , except for Teddy's . His present was clumsily wrapped in heavy paper . He got from a grocery bag . Mrs Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of her presents . Some of the other children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing , a bottle with one quarter full of perfume . But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was , putting it on and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist . Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say Mrs Thompson , today you smell just like my mom used to . After the children left , she cried for at least an hour . On that very day she quit teaching reading , writing and arithmetic . Instead she began to teach children .

Speaker 2 5:32

Mrs Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy . As she worked with him . His mind seemed to come alive , and the more she encouraged him , the faster he responded . By the end of the year , teddy had become one of the smartest kids in the class . Despite her lie that she would have loved all the children the same , teddy became one of her teacher's pets . A year later she found a note under her door from Teddy telling her that she was still the best teacher he had in his whole life .

Speaker 2 6:01

Six years went by and she got another note from Teddy . He then wrote that he had finished high school third in his class and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life . Four years after that she got another letter saying that while things had been tough at times , he'd stayed in school , had stuck with it and soon would graduate college with the highest of honors . He assured Mrs Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life . The four more years passed and yet another letter came . This time it explained that after he got his bachelor's degree he decided to go a little further . The letter explained that how she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had . But now his name was a little longer . The letter was signed Theodore F Stoddard MD .

Speaker 2 6:55

But the story doesn't end there , you see . There was yet another letter that spring . Teddy said that he had met this girl and was going to be married . He explained that his father had died a couple years ago and he was wondering if Mrs Thompson might agree to sit us at the wedding in the place which was usually reserved for the mother of the groom . Of course Mrs Thompson did , and guess what ? She wore that bracelet , the one with the several rhinestones missing . Moreover , she made sure that she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together . They hugged each other and Dr Stoddard whispered in Mrs Thompson's ear thank you , mrs Thompson , for believing in me . Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference . Mrs Thompson , with tears in her eyes , whispered back . She said Teddy , you have it all wrong . You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference . I didn't know . Teddy Stoddard is the doctor at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard cancer wing .

Speaker 1 8:04

Thank you , Rachel . This is a very touching story and it certainly tugs on my heartstrings , but life in 1974 is certainly different from 2024 . I realize teaching today is not quite as simple , but we have the opportunity each day to make a lasting difference in our children's lives . In our children's lives , Teddy gave his teacher the gift of empathy , caring and passion . This student reignited the love of teaching in his teacher . I hope during this school year , that fire can be reignited for you as well .

Encouragement for Educators

Speaker 1 8:45

Remember I am here cheering for you . Remember I am here cheering for you .

Speaker 1 8:50

Thanks to Ron Coleman for providing the music and thanks to you for being a positive influence to the future generation . You are a true hero . You need to be well , to teach well , Find joy in the journey . This is Lori Maxfield , and I thank you for listening to Wellness for Educators . If you have a friend who you think could benefit from this podcast , please pass it along . If you can rate and review this podcast , I would appreciate it . I look forward to connecting again in 2025 . Until that time , please practice self-care and remember you have the ability to make a lasting difference in a child's life .