Our Life Lesson From The Best Teacher in the Universe

Educator, Mrs. Mary Tuohy teaches core-value life lessons everyday in her classroom.
Educator, Mrs. Mary Tuohy teaches core-value life lessons everyday in her classroom.

I was touched when my child came home with a “Goodie Bag” from his teacher that was filled with uncorrelated items. It wasn’t until I read the attached letter, from his teacher, Mrs. Tuohy, the most wonderful teacher in the universe, that I understood the significance of these every-day items – and my heart was overjoyed.

The simplest, seemingly insignificant, every-day items, which are listed below, should also be used, as Mrs. Tuohy so beautifully suggests, as a gentle reminder for  us to “ learn the real lessons life has to offer.”

I share this with you in hopes that when you come across these everyday items, you will take a small moment to quickly reflect on the key messages of good character and kindness, and share them with others.

  • Eraser:  To remind you everyone makes mistakes. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
  • Rubber Band: Remember to be flexible.
  • Band – Aid: In case someone’s feelings get hurt.
  • Toothpick: Remember to pick out the best qualities in everyone.
  • Pencil: Remember your blessings.
  • Tea Bag: Take time for yourself.
  • Chocolate: You will need all the energy you can get.
  • Glue: Stick with those who touch your life with love.
  • Candy Kiss: To remind you to kiss your child every day.

Mrs. Tuohy, thank you for sharing such a resourceful tool for all of us. You are the “glue”  for my children and family.

Kind Regards,
Leigh Ann Errico

*Originally found on Pinterest, tweaked with love, by Mrs. Tuohy.

A Class of Superheroes

by Mrs. Carthans’ Second Grade Class

My students were so pleased and proud to share how they had shown kindness to others.
From that moment, I knew that showing kindness at school, at home, and in our community would be our “Superhero Mission.”

In the Fall of 2015, I embarked on teaching my second graders the value of kindness. As I searched for motivational ways to inspire their hearts and minds, I stumbled across a video about Leigh Ann Errico and her foundation. As I shared the video with my students, I watched their eyes light up as they embraced the connection between kindness and superheroes.

, I reached out to parents and requested that my students complete "acts of kindness" at home or in the community.
I reached out to parents and requested that my students complete “acts of kindness” at home or in the community.

From that moment, I knew that showing kindness at school, at home, and in our community would be our “Superhero Mission.” Therefore, I reached out to parents and requested that my students complete “acts of kindness” at home or in the community. My students were so pleased and proud to share how they had shown kindness to others.  This inspired me to visit wearthecapekids.com to purchase superhero capes and other products to foster kindness in my classroom. My students and I were delighted when our special delivery arrived! The capes were hand-wrapped with care. In addition, we received a few extra Wear the Cape surprises with our purchases. My students were so appreciative and inspired to wear the capes.

This inspired me to visit wearthecapeforkids.com to purchase superhero capes and other products to foster kindness in my classroom. My students and I were delighted when our special delivery arrived!
As we became experts at showing kindness, our class chose to rotate a “super-boy” and “super-girl” of the day to wear the capes.

Initially, my students nominated peers who demonstrated acts of kindness to wear the capes each day.  However, as we became experts at showing kindness, our class chose to rotate a “super-boy” and “super-girl” of the day to wear the capes. Superheroes searched for acts of kindness throughout each school day.  By the end of the day, superheroes looked forward to writing and posting an act of kindness which they observed during the day.

After receiving and using our Wear the Cape products, my students and I decided to write, revise, edit, and publish a thank you email to the founder, Leigh Ann Errico, on the Wear the Cape “Connect with Us” website page. My superheroes couldn’t have been prouder that we did it as a class. Thus, they were so excited when we received a response from the Wear the Cape foundation. Thank you for making my students feel like “real” superheroes!

Student Acts of Kindness Wall
Our Acts of Kindness Wall

In the words of my second grade superheroes…
“Wearing the cape is an honor. You have lots of glory wearing it.”
“When I wear the cape, it helps me be kind. We can save the world with kindness.”
“Kindness is a big responsibility. I know that. Please be kind to others. You have to stop, think,
help, or hurt. Stop, you are better than that!”
“You can show kindness whoever you are. It doesn’t matter what your skin color is or if you are 50 or 21. You can still be kind!”
“When you wear the cape you feel good. You can be a hero wearing the cape.”
“We need kindness! I think that Wear the Cape can help hundreds of kids be kind. The things that they sell can make a difference in our world. Everybody needs kindness in their lives.”

October is National Anti-Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Anti-Bullying Prevention Month – a month dedicated to building hope and giving our children the strategies needed to eradicate this concerning epidemic. October is National Anti-Bullying Prevention Month – a month dedicated to building hope and giving our children the strategies needed to eradicate this concerning epidemic.

I created Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation back in 2012, as a concerned mom of 4 kids and after hearing of several horrific bullying incidents in the news. I dreamed of a kinder, better world for my kids, and decided that I was going to take the first steps in making that world a reality not only for my children, but for all children. We are all about promoting to kids how incredibly cool it is to be kind! We all have the ability to be heroic – as if we are wearing a cape on our backs each day – just by simply being nice and sticking up for the kids who can’t help themselves. That’s how we roll!

Here are the disturbing facts:

  • One in four children are currently being bullied.
  • Every seven seconds a child is bullied on a school playground.
  • 160,000 children do not attend school each day for fear of being bullied. 

No doubt, these statistics are tough to comprehend.  Thankfully, there is hope: According to the ASPCC findings, “When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 seconds at least 57% of the time.”

Where do we go from there?  We at Wear the Cape are here to help guide you. Our teacher team has created lesson plans for you to use in your classrooms, at home, at church, and/or with your Girl and Boy scout troops. They are complete plans, which include Bloom’s Taxonomy practices, that can be cut and pasted directly into your weekly lesson plans. They are adjustable to meet your needs – do all in one day, over the course of the week, or month.   This week’s lesson, geared toward grades K-3 is included: http://www.wearthecapekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CapeLesson.pdf and be sure to check out the supporting materials on the site that you can cut out and use in the classroom.

We are also thrilled to announce that our team has created a school assembly that we will be offering to schools in early January, 2016.  Our multi-media assembly includes interactive features; an amazing multi-media video that features our Cape Kids in action; and follow-up activities for both teachers and parents.  Our final edits are under construction. Your school will not want to miss this presentation! We promise it will not disappoint. *

We need to teach our children and each other the strategies needed to step in, to Wear your Cape, and be “Better Than That.”  Together we can do this. Together we can end bullying!

Thanks for helping us spread the word!

* For further information from Wear the Cape and kidkind foundation or to book an assembly, please email us at www.wearthecapekids.com

Choose kind,

Leigh Ann