On Friday, Shannon Grimm noticed that a 5-year-old girl, Priscilla, in her kindergarten class was really sad and depressed at school, because she was teased by some students, who said that her short hair made her look like a boy.
"What is a better way to show them that you can look any way and still be true to yourself than to cut my own hair?" Grimm said to herself. After thinking deeply, she decided to cheer the student up by showing support, so she chopped(剪)her waist-length brown hair into the same pixie cut(精灵短发)as Priscilla's.
Walking into a grocery store or other public places with her new haircut did make Grimm feel awkward. However, she said the temporary discomfort was worth it because she was able to help Priscilla feel better about her appearance. "I don't want my students to ever feel like their confidence is down because of the way people look at them and say things to them. " Grimm said.
At a school meeting last week, the little girl Priscilla presented Grimm with a medal for being her hero during a difficult time. More important to Grimm, her creative way works out.
"Who's beautiful?" Grimm asked Priscilla later. "Me. " the girl responded with a smile.
Although Grimm said she missed her long hair, she said the experience had allowed her to better understand Priscilla's feelings. "Sometimes you just have to experience it. You have to teach them and show them that you're there for them. "
Her hair will grow back, but Grimm said she hopes to give a more lasting lesson to her students. " It doesn't matter what haircut you have," she said. "You're beautiful no matter what. "