The classroom was filled with the soft hum of children chattering, their voices mingling in the warm afternoon air. Sara, the teacher, smiled as she watched her students settle into their seats. It was a typical day at the primary school where she taught, but today was special. Today, Sara had decided to share something personal with her students—a story from her own life.
«Alright, everyone,» Sara began, her voice gentle but filled with purpose, «Today, I’m going to tell you a story. It’s a little different from what we usually do, but I think you’ll find it important.»
The children leaned forward, curious. They always loved when their teacher shared stories, but they could sense this one was going to be different. Sara adjusted her glasses, took a deep breath, and began.
«When I was your age,» she said, «I loved going to school. I went to a joyful, private school that felt like a second home. My friends were like my family, and I felt safe there. Every day was filled with learning and laughter, and I dreamed of becoming someone who could help others—maybe a doctor or an artist, I wasn’t sure yet.»
The children nodded, understanding the feeling of safety and happiness. For them, school was a place of fun too.
«But things changed,» Sara continued, her expression softening. «When I was eight years old, my parents divorced. It was a difficult time. We had to move away, and I had to change schools—many times, actually. Every new school felt like a different world, and it wasn’t always easy.»
She looked at the students, who were listening quietly, their eyes wide with sympathy.
«At one of the schools I went to,» Sara said, her voice dropping slightly, «I had a teacher who wasn’t kind. She didn’t like children much, and one day, when I made a small mistake, she grabbed me by the arm and shook me. I was so scared, and I felt so alone. I didn’t know how to speak up about it, and I thought no one would believe me.»
A few of the students gasped. They couldn’t imagine their gentle, smiling teacher going through something so frightening.
Sara gave them a reassuring smile. «But I didn’t give up,» she said. «Even though it was hard, I knew I had to keep going. And eventually, I found new friends who made me feel strong again.»
She paused for a moment, letting the memory settle before continuing. «By the time I got to secondary school, I had learned to be tough. But things didn’t get easier right away. I faced bullying, and even when I reported it, the school administration didn’t help. In fact, they threatened me, telling me to stay quiet or else.»
The classroom was silent now, and Sara could see the concern on her students’ faces. She wanted them to understand that everyone faces challenges, but it’s how you respond to them that matters.
«But I didn’t let that stop me,» Sara said firmly. «I made wonderful friends in secondary school—people who stood by me and made me laugh when I wanted to cry. And, little by little, I started to realize something very important. I wanted to be a teacher.»
Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she looked at her students. «I wanted to become the kind of teacher I needed when I was your age—someone who listens, who cares, and who makes sure that every student feels safe and valued.»
The children smiled at her, some nodding in agreement. They knew what she meant because that’s exactly what Sara had done for them.
«So, I worked hard,» she continued. «I studied in Valencia to become a teacher, and now I’m continuing my education in the Netherlands. I want to make sure I’m always learning, so I can be the best teacher I can be for you and for all my future students.»
One of the children raised their hand. «Miss Sara,» he asked, «Why do you love teaching so much?»
Sara smiled warmly. «That’s a great question,» she said. «For me, teaching is about more than just giving you lessons. It’s about making sure you grow as people, too. There are three things I believe every teacher should focus on: socialization, qualification, and subjectivity.»
The children looked a little confused, so Sara explained.
«Socialization,» she said, «means helping you learn how to be good friends, how to work together, and how to understand other people’s feelings. Qualification is about making sure you’re learning the skills you need, like math, reading, and science. And subjectivity means understanding who you are—your strengths, your dreams, and what makes you special.»
She looked around the room, seeing her students’ faces light up as they began to understand.
«My goal,» Sara said, «is to help you in all those ways. I want you to feel confident when you’re learning, but I also want you to know that who you are matters. You’re not just students to me—you’re people with your own stories, just like I have mine.»
There was a brief moment of silence as the students took in her words. Then, one of the girls raised her hand.
«So, you went through hard things to become a teacher?» she asked.
Sara nodded. «Yes, I did. But those hard things helped me understand what kind of teacher I want to be. I don’t want any of you to feel the way I felt when I was scared or unsupported. That’s why I’m here—for you.»
The girl smiled, and Sara could see the understanding in her eyes.
«And remember,» Sara added, her voice full of encouragement, «no matter what challenges you face, you can get through them. You can always find people who will stand by you, and you can always find strength in yourself.»
One of the boys raised his hand next. «Miss Sara, do you think we’ll be as strong as you one day?»
Sara laughed softly. «You’re already strong,» she said. «Each one of you has something special inside of you. And if you ever feel unsure, just remember that there are people like me who believe in you.»
The students beamed, and Sara felt a warm sense of pride. She had shared her story with them not to make them feel sad, but to show them that even when life is difficult, there’s always a way forward. There’s always hope, and there’s always someone who cares.
As the school day came to a close, the children left the classroom, chatting excitedly about the story Miss Sara had told them. They felt inspired, knowing that their teacher had faced challenges but had turned them into something positive. And now, thanks to Sara, they knew they could do the same.
Sara watched them go, her heart full. She knew her journey was far from over—there were still many students to teach, many lessons to learn. But today, she had taken a big step in sharing her story, and that, she knew, was just as important as any lesson from a book.
And so, as the sun began to set and the school grew quiet, Sara sat at her desk, grateful for the journey that had brought her here, and for the students who would continue to shape her path forward.
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Autor del Cuento
Soy Francisco J., apasionado de las historias y, lo más importante, padre de un pequeño. Durante el emocionante viaje de enseñar a mi hijo a leer, descubrí un pequeño secreto: cuando las historias incluyen a amigos, familiares o lugares conocidos, la magia realmente sucede. La conexión emocional con el cuento motiva a los niños a sumergirse más profundamente en las palabras y a descubrir el maravilloso mundo de la lectura. Saber más de mí.