#KindnessMatters

In homage to the kindness of my own 4th grade teacher 20+ years ago, we found the inspiration to spread some kindness to the Penn State Children's Hospital, and keep the kindness train moving! <3

Tony's interview with Mrs. Halliday to explain what operation #KindnessMatters is all about! 

A collaborative voicethread about teaching Empathy as part of #KindnessMatters (An assignment for my Cognition & Technology Graduate course) 

Recently, I (Mrs. Halliday)  learned about the mission and vision of Cure International and was very moved. If you're reading this, I encourage you to go and check out the website for yourself, but, in a nutshell, what CURE does is take the miracle of modern medicine and some of the greatest surgeons in the world, to places in the world where children with diseases and deformities are most in need of these resources. Cure International embraces children who might otherwise have been discarded, children who are often considered broken or cursed in their communities. After treatment, these children are returned to their families and communities restored and ready to embrace and embark on their one wild and precious life. When I was listening to the stories of this organization, I couldn't help but feel connected to this idea of seeing beauty in the face of brokenness. I thought of all the times in my life that I have been unlovable, or broken, or feeling damaged or ugly and how those were the times that I needed love the most, those were the times I was most ready for a miracle. 

One of our first official acts in the #KindnessMatters class project was making and sending cards of encouragement to Hailey! <3 

When Mrs. Halliday asked last year's class "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" It snowballed into a life lesson for all of us about promises, determination, grit, and what matters.