Over the years I thought I’d known and experienced perseverance. I’ve accomplished many hard tasks. I’ve beat personal battles that seemed impossible at times. I’ve stuck to hard diets and built up discipline in many areas of life. But this post isn’t about me and those accomplishments weren’t real perseverance.
Lindsey’s decision to leave her Credit Union position came at a particularly convenient time. I had just got hired on at a Fire Department that paid more money and Lindsey was pregnant with our third child.
Lindsey has clarity of mind and decision-making skills unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. She’ll make hard, big decisions with sweeping assurance. She does this almost effortlessly. Leaving the Credit Union was one of these decisions.
Lindsey rose fast at her Credit Union job. She was named Assistant Manager within a 1 year of employment. She never was quite fulfilled, though. I think she loved the challenge of learning something new, but always felt somewhat empty at the end of the day. I sometimes could see it on her face. She was exhausted and not necessarily enthused. It wasn’t long before she starting thinking on a grander scale. She always said if she was going to be away from her family, it would have to be worth it. I never forgot that mostly because she said it with heart.
The decision to stay home after Leo was born also had a huge agenda attached to it. Another clarity moment Lindsey had; deciding she wanted to teach. She made a personal decision to complete her Master’s Degree in Teaching. I’ll admit I was worried how this was going to be possible, though; a newborn, a hyper middle boy and an over inquisitive 8 year old bouncing all over the house. Not too mention my Fire Department job didn’t work as planned and we found out our middle son was Autistic and required weekly therapy sessions right in the middle of Lindsey’s schooling. Top all of that with our youngest developing ‘Failure to Thrive’ at 11 months old and eating through a feeding tube for 2 months. The cards were stacked against Lindsey.
But she did it.
Perseverance made it possible and perseverance carried Lindsey through.
Long story short, Lindsey finished her Masters Degree with a 3.9 GPA (which doesn’t sit real well with her) and obtained a job as a full-time 7th grade Math Teacher before she “officially” graduated.
Looking back through our marriage, my children and I have had the pleasure of Lindsey being a stay at home mom for the majority of our life together. In other words, we’ve had her all to ourselves. Up until recently I never quite understood how much value, compassion and empathy we were hoarding in our home. My children and I are grateful and appreciative of all of her traits, but one thing is extremely clear now; God created Lindsey to grow, reach, connect and teach kids in need of loving and learning.
The combination of Lindsey’s heart of gold and Christian values is something that kids can sense. She doesn’t need to put on a front or pretend to care. If you’re around her while she’s talking about teaching or reaching kids, you’ll know, she cares deeply.
I think thats what drew me to her in the beginning; her compassion and empathy to strangers. Thats not a trait you fake. That’s something that you either have or you try to work on, but certainly not fabricate. Lindsey is effortless when it comes to helping people in need. She has a sixth sense for the helpless and exhibits infinite patience and compassion when dealing with them.
I said all that to say; I don’t think kids are tricked by gimmicks or people who are around to collect a paycheck. Kids can sense motivation and energy way more than we give them credit for. Students should be taught with respect and genuineness. Lindsey showed me enough videos in her Masters program to coincide with this thinking.
Lindsey puts her whole self into her passions. For example, when she was setting up her classroom, Linds was intent on creating an environment that was warm and welcoming. Super positive signage, supportive messages and encouraging thoughts can be found on every wall. This isn’t by accident. This is Lindsey. Here’s a great example of how brilliant Lindsey was before teaching a minute in her own classroom:
A coworker of her’s mentioned early on to not “go crazy” with decorating. “The kids don’t care” he said. This person missed exactly what Lindsey already knew. Making kids feel comfortable, safe and supported builds a foundation. It sets a precedent. It’s like a comforting figure saying: “Hey, I care about your grades, but I care about you more.” It’s the exact right way to build a relationship of trust and love; with comfort, not content. Lindsey had this pegged before minute one of her first class.
My Nonni used to tell me all the time; “make your face your heart.” She would say that’s the key for people to see the true you. It’s not always easy for me. This is something Lindsey doesn’t have to work on and precisely why being a teacher is Lindsey’s calling in life.
Lindsey’s face is her heart. Plain and simple, the two are one. A warm, glowing, open-arms smile thats as inviting as it is caring and loving. Every student she comes in contact with for the next 25 years will grow to learn that Mrs. DiLeo is a loving human first, a teacher second.
There’s no better example of Lindsey’s compassion, love and attention to detail for her students than the sign near the exit of her classroom. Lindsey felt very strongly about this sign and it’s reason for existing. She wanted her students to see this sign and read it as they left her class for a reason; Lindsey wanted to leave them with a simple yet genuine reminder. Lindsey was so insistent this sign had to be exactly right that she custom made it herself and printed it several times for it to be “just” right.
The sign reads as follows:
“Before you leave this class, always remember; I love you. You matter. You can do anything. I believe in you.”
-Mrs. DiLeo
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