Your words warmed my heart. For me, too, there is no greater joy than seeing a message from you. I understand your concern, because when someone becomes dear to you, every minute of silence feels like an eternity. But know that my thoughts are always with you, and I try to find opportunities to write to you to keep our connection alive. The fact that we met is not a coincidence, but a gift that we must cherish and nurture every day.
Your English is beautiful because it’s sincere. Don’t be afraid of mistakes; what matters most is the meaning and the feelings you put into your words. I’d be happy to help you improve if you’d like, but even now I understand every word you say, and that’s what counts.
I’m glad to know that you live on your own. It speaks to your independence and your ability to create a cozy home for yourself. Although your apartment is small, I’m sure it’s warm and comfortable because you live there.
I admire your attitude toward sports and a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is an amazing activity; it brings strength and harmony to both body and spirit. The fact that you spend your summers at the lake, playing volleyball with friends, paints a picture in my mind of a happy and active vacation. I love being active, too. Sports help me feel alive and energetic. I enjoy walks in the fresh air, stretching, and simple physical exercises that help me stay in shape. Maybe one day we can go swimming together or just take a walk by the water, enjoying each other’s company.
I’d also like to mention your attitude toward bad habits. It’s very important to me that you don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation. A healthy lifestyle is a sign of respect for yourself and your future. In a world where many lose themselves in intoxication, a clear mind and a clean body are rare and valuable. I share your views life should be clear and mindful.
Today was an unusually busy day for me not only with lessons and grading notebooks, but also with an incident that still haunts me.
This morning, one of my students Sasha, who is only eight years old was called to the principal’s office. They wanted to expel him. The reason? He hit a classmate. Yes, that’s true. But… the whole truth is much more complicated.
Sasha is a quiet, thoughtful boy who almost always sits in the corner of the classroom drawing. His hands seem made for a pencil: a week earlier, he drew an entire fairy tale about a dragon and the boy who saved him. But at home, for Sasha… things aren’t so magical. His father left when he was just a baby, and that’s why I understand him. His mom works nights, moonlighting as a cleaner, and often the boy is left alone with his grandmother, who is sick and frail, or completely unsupervised.
That day… started when a boy from the parallel class in the hallway started making fun of Sasha’s notebook: he ripped out a page with his drawing and started poking at it, laughing, Look, he draws like a little girl! The others laughed. And then someone said, Your dad ran away because you’re a wimp. And Sasha… Sasha couldn’t take it anymore.
He didn’t scream. He just stood up, walked over, and shoved the bully. Not hard but the boy fell and hit his head on the desk. Blood appeared. Chaos. The teachers were in a panic. Aggression! Violence! voices rang out.
When the principal said dryly, We cannot tolerate such behavior. Come tomorrow with your parents we’ll decide on expulsion, everything inside me turned upside down.
I went into the office before anyone had left and said, Wait. Let’s talk to the boy first. And his mom.
Two hours later, his mom arrived in a worn-out jacket, her face looking as if she hadn’t slept in a week. She didn’t try to make excuses. She just stood there, clutching her bag, and cried. Quietly, without a sound tears dripped onto the floor. I’m trying so hard… she whispered. I can’t be there during the day… But he’s so kind. He even brought bread from lunch for the kitten…
I looked at Sasha. He was sitting, pressed against the wall, staring at the floor. But when his mom started crying, he walked over, took her hand, and said, Mom, don’t cry. I won’t do it again.
At that moment, I realized we have no right to break him. Not now. Not for a single mistake made out of pain.
I asked to speak. I told them everything about his drawings, about how he helps the younger kids in class, how he never missed a single assignment, not even when he was sick. I explained that aggression isn’t in his nature, but a cry for help. That expulsion in his situation isn’t a punishment, but a death sentence.
I offered an alternative a restorative meeting with the offender (who, by the way, later admitted he just wanted to tease him), a meeting with the school psychologist, and parent counseling. And… personal responsibility I agreed to take on additional supervision of Sasha.
The principal was silent for a long time. Then he sighed and said, All right. But if it happens again we won’t be able to turn a blind eye.
When we walked out, his mom hugged me and whispered, Thank you… You have no idea how much you’ve helped us. And Sasha suddenly handed me a folded piece of paper a new drawing. In it, a teacher was holding a boy’s hand, with the sun above them. At the bottom, in pencil My protector.
Now, as I sit in the evening with a cup of tea and reread the school charter, I find myself thinking again: how many children like Sasha are teetering on the edge not out of malice, but out of pain? How many children lose their chance simply because no one wanted to see the story behind the act?
Yes, school isn’t a shelter. But it should be a place where a child feels: you matter. You deserve a second chance.
Sometimes I feel powerless against the system. But then I remember his drawing and realize even a single spark of compassion can light up a whole world.
Maybe not everyone believes in kids like this. But I do. I absolutely do.
Anyway, let’s change the subject! How are you doing? What have you been up to lately? If you ever need someone to talk to, know that I’m always here to listen. That’s why I’m always grateful to you for letting me share my thoughts with you. Thank you for that; I really appreciate it and hope I can always return the favor.
I look forward to your letter.
Polina!