"Mrs. Francis, Don't Cry"

Part II

Advanced Newcomer ELs

This post is a follow up to "Stories that Sparkle Powerful Conversations" - If you have not read it, I encourage you to read it since it provides the background you may need for this post. 

Group Projects

My advanced newcomer English learners were assigned the picture book 'Refugees and Migrants' by Ceri Roberts. This book covers migration from its causes to what we can do to aid refugees. It covers life in refugee camps, about the application process for asylum.

You can see their presentation below. They did an excellent job providing important details, their thoughts, and visuals. 
What you can't see in their presentation was the result of their presentation. As they were sharing their thoughts on the videos and the immigration topic, students began to cry all around the room.
You see, I have several students (including me) who immigrated to the USA just like the book and their videos showed. 
Their presentation stirred up in us so many feelings we keep inside. Our immigrant experiences, regardless of what you experienced, mark our lives forever. Some feelings are happy, some are painful feelings, and some you can't even talk about. 

When overwhelmed with emotions...tears help!

There was not a dry eye in the room. We all cried. We all hugged. We all shared. I even had a student share with me a video of him and his mother crossing the river to make it to the USA. THIS was when I lost it! I started thinking about how hard this particular student works EVERYDAY and how his teachers are only concern about his grades...when in his mind and heart THIS is what's going on. 
Students hugged me and said, "Mrs. Francis, don't cry". But how can you NOT cry when you know your students are dealing with so much in their personal life. 
 
We heard stories of concentration centers, stories of reasons why we left our home country. Stories of hope. Stories of resilience and strength.

---

Powerful Conversations

Just like the quote mentions above, there are some difficult conversations and topics to share with others. Our immigrant experiences are without a doubt those conversations that we avoid due to the pain we feel inside. However, sharing these stories can serve as an opportunity to share our similarities and embrace our differences. 
I must take a minute to thank my students for presenting such an amazing presentation that served as a pathway to storytelling in our classroom. 

It is so important to provide plenty of opportunities for our students' stories to be told.
Our stories matter. Our stories are our strength. Our stories make our identity. 
​
Holding back our story...is holding back the opportunity for others to create connections and heal wounds.  

If you make time for storytelling and/or have the opportunity to have your students share their immigrant stories, please share them with me. I'd love to see how your students are being empowered by their own experiences. 

Thank you for reading!