Corrine* was just starting first grade when I met her. At that time she could not read, write or even count to 10. When her teacher asked her to read aloud in class, Corrine burst into tears of embarrassment and shame.

Corrine had a pretty challenging start in life. She was born to a teenage mother, and every male member of her family has spent time in prison. Her family’s eviction from her modest home was devastating to Corrine.

When I spend time with Corrine, I always remind her that my number one job is to make sure she find her gifts and talents and knows that I am by her side. I look for opportunities to share academic or life lessons.

For example, during a recent visit, we were listening to an Ella Fitzgerald album when Corrine suddenly said, “Oh Michelle! Can you hear the motion in the music?” Seeing how deeply the music moved her, I spent my time with Corrine in the following weeks using music to teach her to count. In a month’s time she was proudly counting to 30. Other lessons are more basic, things you take for granted–like what food is healthy to eat or how to wash your face. Helping me tend a community garden plot this past spring has helped Corrine learn about nurturing little seedlings, and caring for other living things.

During each visit to the garden, she crouched down close to the growing seedlings. She tenderly cupped each little sprout in her hand, sang to them and told them it was her job to make them grow and make sure they stay safe.

I can’t help but smile knowing that is exactly how I feel about Corrine.

* Names have been changed to protect our children.  The stories do not correlate with the child pictured.