It's The Little Things

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
~Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Today somebody sent me this quotation during an email exchange and it reminded me of something I used to say to my students when they were frustrated. "You can't save the world but if you try, you'll end up saving some kids."

This was usually said in reference to a student telling me about some education professional who advised them to quit spending so much time with kids who are "lost causes" or "just like their parents". The one that would really get me was "you'll learn not to be so idealistic."

I love it when a teacher is idealistic! It means they are going to keep trying. And while they won't save every child they will help many that others have written off. So keep doing those small things for the kids and think of Mother Teresa's words when the bastards get you down.