Fitting In

Teacher’s New Book Celebrates Each Child’s Unique Contribution

Most children feel at least a little nervous as a new school year approaches. With new teachers, a new classroom, new routines, and often new classmates, many worry about fitting in.

Laura White, a Meher School alumna who taught kindergarten, first grade, and chorus here for 10 years before going on extended maternity leave, has published a book honoring the special gifts each child contributes to a class. Written in rhymed verse and geared to children four to eight years old, it’s called Our Class Needs You!

Laura reads her book to her son James, who will start at the White Pony later this year. (What’s not evident in the photo is Laura’s “baby bump”—James’s brother is due to arrive today!)

“Each child who comes into the classroom has so much to offer, but each in their own unique way,” Laura says. “I wanted to write a book that reflected that, and that highlighted that every child’s special talents and interests are a welcome and important part of the class.” 

Though it was written for teachers, Laura says the book can be a useful tool for parents book too, “for helping a child who feels nervous about feeling included in their new classroom. It showcases the welcoming spirit of inclusion that teachers at our school strive for. If students know that’s what’s waiting for them, I hope that would help them feel less worried.”  

Our Class Needs You! was illustrated by Slovenian artist Alenka Trotovšek, whom Laura met online. The book is only available on Amazon, where it’s garnered nothing but five-star reviews. We have a sample copy in the Office.