In some cases, it was in the quality of the work that they did for my class. In others, it was how they maturely handled situations that I witnessed. In still others, it was in their performance outside of my class--during today's track competition or theater presentation.
There was one moment that really stood out to me. A student whom I know, but have never had in class, was getting ready to race in one of the 400m heats. As I saw the runners get to their starting positions, I noticed that the two families next to me, who combined had four or five young children had moved up to the rail--the parents pointing out the student to the children. The starting pistol fired, the runners took off, and all of these children started cheering on the student, saying the student's name over and over with additional words of encouragement--clearly with love and affection.
I was so deeply impressed by that student. Those children were jubilant in their cheering, suggesting the impression that this student has already made on their young lives. It speaks to a quality of character that I am so happy to see in many of my students.
I wish that more people could get to see these students shine like this; I feel that they would come away impressed.