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Transcript below:
The relationship between a student and teacher can be incredibly powerful.
In a fourth grade class in Littleton, Colorado the connection is not only strong, but healing too.
Kim Christiansen explains.
"So what do we know so far?"
TEACHABLE MOMENTS.
THEY CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.
IN MRS. DEL DUCA'S 4TH GRADE CLASS -- MAPS AND TEXTBOOKS TAKE STUDENTS TO PLACES FAR AWAY IN THE IMAGINATION.
A LITERARY ESCAPE FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHER.
"You know what they actually help me you know cause I can't think about my real life when I was 25 of these guys running around needing my attention...so I tell them you know I hope I can help you as much as you've helped me."
IN HERE MRS. DEL DUCA CAN ALMOST FORGET SHE HAS STAGE 4 COLON CANCER. SHE'S TOLD STUDENTS THE SMALL PURSE SHE WEARS IS FOR THE CHEMOTHERAPY...
"A lot of times, it's kinda harsh for her to have all the chemo and everything else, so I think it just makes us happier and her happier to have us here...right now my statistics from what I've researched is 10% to live for the next 5 years, so that's pretty low."
THREE TIMES SHE HAS TRIED AND FAILED TO GET HER INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL SURGERY AND CHEMOTHERAPY.
"Like I said in the board meeting experimental depends on if you have cancer or not."
UNDAUNTED...SHE WILL KEEP TRYING AND KEEP TEACHING...
"We just gotta keep on going in life instead of just stopping when you have a wall you have to climb pretty much...so instead of stopping when there's a struggle - just keep on going."
TEACHABLE MOMENTS -- YOU MIGHT FIND THEM IN A TEXTBOOK....
"Then it says but you children seem to be bringing her back to life...you guys I'm going to make a connection to that...cause you guys help me get through my sickness, so these children."
WHAT YOU'LL IN MRS DEL DUCA'S 4TH GRADE CLASS ...ARE WORDS TO LIVE BY...AND A TEACHER FIGHTING TO LIVE.
"I hope that they learn much more than a textbook could even teach them as far as empathy and compassion for others...I think that they have. These are my kids and i love them...I do."
Del Duca's friends and family are trying to help her raise the more than 80-thousand dollars she needs for a treatment that her doctor believes may actually be her cure.
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