A Smile

Our visit to Kenya left a lasting impression on my heart. One thing that I will never forget is all the smiles! I was greeted with smiles in the airport when we landed, in the schools by the students and teachers, in the truck when we were driving down the road. A smile is so simple. A smile doesn't cost anything. A smile can brighten the day. A smile is universal. No matter where you live or what your situation is, a smile can brighten the day. The sign above was posted on a wall in the school that I visited. It reads, 

"A smile is a language of love...A smile is a source to win a heart...A smile is a sign of a lovely mood...A smile creates greatness in personality." 

Imagine having those words posted in your teachers lounge as the mission for your school. How might that change the way you teach? I had an opportunity to observe some incredible Kenyan educators. 

When Kenyan educators were teaching, I noticed a couple of things. When the teacher asks a questions, students raise their hand and call out, "Teacher...teacher!" After the teacher calls on a student and the student responds, the teacher says, "Clap for _____ (students name)." The rest of the class would clap for the student. At the end of the lesson the teacher would say, "Are you happy? Do you feel grateful to learn?" It all started to make sense. There are multiple times throughout the day that students are being reminded to be grateful for their life. It is evident in all the smiles I saw in schools and all around the country. The biggest lesson that I learned in Kenya: SMILE!