A good heart

Written by Melissa Cruz, Prevention Educator

April 2025

Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as a sticker can bring back a good memory?

I found a pack of foil-star stickers and remembered how much I loved those sweet little stickers as a little girl. I adored my childhood school and think of it often when I’m teaching in elementary schools as a prevention educator.

When a teacher placed a simple foil star on my paper – I felt so rewarded! I remember the progression of stickers too. First, it was the simplicity of the foil stars – and I wondered if my star would be silver or gold, red or green? I loved having a star on my paper! Then, another teacher gave stickers with words like: “Great,” “Terrific,” or “Super!”

And then when I was in fourth grade, my teacher pressed scented stamps onto my papers, and I thought that was so special!

When I was just seven years old, I went through a hard time with my parents’ divorce. But thankfully this happened when I was going to such a safe, sweet little school with teachers who thought about encouragement like giving stickers and stamps. I like to remember this because I believe this keeps my heart connected to those I am teaching.

Last fall, I was teaching a series on healthy relationships in an elementary school. Once I finished the lesson, I gave a paper with a heart on it and asked the students to draw what a healthy relationship looked like in their lives. When the students finished their pictures, they could choose a sticker as a reward for completion.

I noticed one of the girls seemed upset and then I saw her move the paper away from her area. I went over to her and quietly asked if she was ok. She didn’t want to draw her family. I asked if she had a friend that she could draw on her paper. How about a pet that she could draw? I noticed she seemed to like this idea and then she began to work on her drawing. I wanted her to think about what’s good in her life – and draw that on her heart.

Once class ended, I learned that she was not living with her mom and needed to stay with another family. I know this happens from my background as a child advocate with CASA; and know of heartbreaking stories here in our town.

As a prevention educator, I want each student to know who the safe, trusted adults are in their lives. And I want each child to know they are worthy of being protected. I want them to know not all families look alike and it’s ok to have your friend or your pet represent the good that you have in your life right now.

I stayed next to the young girl for a little while as she began to draw on her paper. I am in the schools for a only a short time, then the bell rings and the students leave. But I want to be present when I am there. I purposefully remain attentive, look around and follow up with those who look like they need encouragement. This young girl was not pushing her paper away to be rude, she was responding to something hard in her life.

But that day this young girl got to choose how her “heart” looked, and she created a drawing of what she sees as good. And hopefully that good will just keep growing.