Treasured Gifts

 The other day while looking for a book I came across an old binder that I had forgotten about. This was one of several binders I have collected over the years of student-created artwork. Not just any artwork but artwork that was given to me as a gift. As the art teacher, I get many of these drawings weekly. But this particular binder held drawings that children had made outside of school and had left for me on my desk or ran up to me during arrival at school early in the morning.  I could have easily thanked these children for their gift and tossed it away later in the day. However, I keep these treasured gifts. I keep them because of the effort and thought this child had: to sit down and create something just for me as a gift. They were thoughtful enough to bring it to school. I'm sure many parents and teachers get these little gifts and think nothing about them. But I do. I think it's wonderful to acknowledge these moments and keep them as reminders that I am working with little people. People with ideas and feelings.