Teacher Kindness via E-mail

"Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too?  Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief?"
~ William Blake

One of my children dutifully studied for two big tests over the weekend only to wake up on Monday and realize that she had not completely memorized a passage from a book that she needed to present.  She was crying and distraught, convinced that it was due that day.

I understand that we cannot solve all of our children's problems and that we need to teach them responsibility, initiative and all the rest.  But... every so often, they need a little help.  So I e-mailed the English teacher to double-check when the oratory was due.  This wonderful woman (and I did think she was terrific even before this) replied within 10 minutes and let me know that it was not due until the next day and that she would check in with my daughter to see how she was doing with it.  When I told my daughter that it was not due that day, she was instantly and visibly relieved. 

I certainly don't expect anyone, much less a teacher, to respond immediately to an e-mail.  But I am so glad that this teacher did.  Her kindness -- and the relief it brought both to my daughter and to me -- set an example and the tone for the rest of my day.