What made matters worse is that none of the other students would join him when I had them pair up for activities. I would inevitably end up being Steven’s partner, but I wanted him to learn from the girls. I knew he could learn a great deal from them. I didn’t have any opportunity to make this clear to his classmates and how I wanted them to help Steven until one thankful day—yes, one blessed day.

After class on a Thursday afternoon, Steven announced to us that he was going to take the TOEFL—again! I think it was his fourth or fifth time.

 Then he turned to me, “Mr. Patricki, I won’ta be in class tomorrow.”

 “The TOEFL, Steven?” I asked.

 “Mm. Yes.”

The girls silently celebrated with great enthusiasm. It would be a day free of “Steven-questions.” I watched as they all gave each other a wink.

These girls were not mean by any stretch of the imagination. The truth was they were sweet, thoughtful, and polite. Some were very shy, though. I could tell they wanted to help Steven but didn’t quite know how. Sometimes I’d hear them in the hall trying to explain things to him. But, in the end, they didn’t want to be late for class. So, they would run off and leave poor Steven scratching his head and saying, “Hmm . . . I don’ti understand.” Only the walls in the hall and I would hear this.

Friday’s class went by quickly and smoothly. I actually was shocked when I saw we only had 10 minutes left. I recall that class was one of those that gave me goosebumps as I watched the girls working together and teaching each other about the grammar points that I had put on the board. That was one of my rules—if they could teach each other, they could learn better. That was the hard part for Steven.

So, I stood there, in the front of the class, soaked in goosebumps and proudly watched my students teaching each other. I felt this was the perfect moment to change our class dynamics. There was a harmony in the air that called out to me. It said, “Now . . . now is the time.” I really didn’t want to stop the class there and then, but I felt it was now or never.

“Ladies!” I called out. “That’s a wrap. Can you all come up front here and take a knee?”

I felt the energy in the room, it was full of love, a richness beyond time and space. If the word “bliss” could personify herself and walk into the room, she would have become even more blissful that very moment.

“I have a favor to ask all of you. So, can you close your eyes and imagine a certain situation?” My words were soft-spoken and calm.

The girls were silent. They were intent on listening to what I was going to say. We’d never had a class powwow before, and I hoped my words and request would be the guiding fingers to turn over a new leaf. 

 “Here is the situation . . . Imagine that you got the chance to study in the US. You arrive in Mr. Patrick’s grammar class. But, you are the only girl in the class. All the other students are boys. 10 boys. How would you feel? What if the other students in the class paired up and left you out? Would you enjoy this? Again, how would you feel?”

Without uttering another word, I heard almost every girl softly whisper, “Steven.” The class leader—the oldest girl and my star student—said, “Yes, Steven. He’s talking about being Steven.” They knew exactly what my point was. I opened my own eyes and watched each student slowly lift her head up and open her eyes. The timid-touched expressions and quiet smiles on their faces is something I’ll never forget. 

“So, you see, what I’m asking you to do is be kind to him. When he returns on Monday, can you pair up with him without me having to say anything? If he needs help, can you help him? Can you become his sisters and make him your brother, your friend? Can you do that for me? That’s all I ask.”