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Grinning
Woodland students enjoy a “pie-in-the-face” event
last spring for improving on their “cookie dough”
campaign, raising
$31,000… $8,000 more than the previous year. CNO file photo.
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Do
you want to make a difference?
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
The two individuals who had the most to do with my introduction to
substitute teaching at Woodland Heights Elementary – Susie Riegle and
Tammy Stritenburger – have moved on. But they left an indelible mark on
my life.
They introduced me to the beauty and challenges of spending the day
with a group of five-, six- and seven-year-olds.
Last year I was nervous. I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Not only did
I handle it, I thrived on it. I had classes in all Greenville
buildings, plus other districts in the county, ranging from
kindergarten to my usual Edison classes. Sometimes three different age
groups in the same day.
They were all great… but talk about moving from one world into another.
I had my first sub assignment of the fall at Woodland Heights on
Friday. There were a couple of challenges. It started off with a 2-hour
fog delay. Afternoon recess had to be conducted inside due to a thunder
and lightning downpour outside.
Energy doesn’t evaporate as well in a classroom full of desks and
chairs as it does on a playground with room to run and equipment to
play on.
Regardless, I was reminded how much I missed these kids over the summer.
Woodland’s new principal, Andrea Townsend, visited Kiwanis on
Wednesday. She spoke about the challenges and rewards of the role she
and others play in the development of these children. She talked about
a new “modular” that had been put in to handle more than 600 students
and provide classroom space to teachers who didn’t have it the year
before.
And she responded to a concern about “bullying” from one of our
members. Bullying is basically repetitive behavior from one or more
students that is harmful to another. She wasn’t aware of any instances
so far this year. She also noted that it typically didn’t happen at the
K-2 level.
What does happen, she said, is that sometimes a child will hit or push
another one or say something unkind. It is dealt with by explaining to
the child that he or she made a bad decision that is not to be
repeated. Typically it isn’t.
I was at Woodland often last year, although admittedly not every day.
While I had to intervene many times to talk to two children about the
behavior of one or both it always ended with an apology and a promise
that it wouldn’t happen again.
I never saw or heard of a case of actual bullying. Not once.
Only one time did a confrontation not end up with an apology, then a
hug or a high-five between the two students. It seems in this case I
was actually hoodwinked by two second graders who were determined to
give each other a hard time. It took me a while to realize they were
both having a ball.
Possibly at my expense since I was the new “kid” on the block. Once I
figured it out, I couldn’t help but laugh about it. It had been a long
time since a child that age had pulled one over on me.
Then Mrs. Townsend said something I hadn’t heard before… they
desperately needed volunteers.
It makes sense. If I had one thing reinforced last year it was the
dedication and talent of these teachers. They are phenomenal. If I
learned one thing new last year it was that they can do so much more if
they have help from another adult in the classroom.
On occasion I had that help. It made a HUGE difference.
What I didn’t know is that they are flexible regarding the offers of
help, asking only a desire to make a difference in a child’s life for a
few hours. I talked a few minutes with Mrs. Townsend after her
presentation. I noted that if I had the opportunity, I’d love to help
out… I just wasn’t sure because of my schedule. If I wasn’t teaching my
Edison classes, substitute assignments – at all grade levels – had to
be my priority.
On Friday I was told that two teachers would love to have my help
whenever I was available. I had a chance to speak to one – will talk to
the other as soon as possible – and explained my dilemma. She didn’t
care… “Come in when you can,” she said, then introduced me to her class.
A third of Woodland students – the kindergartners – don’t know me from
Adam. But many of the others do. I must have gotten a hundred hugs and
high-fives on Friday. I got more smiles from adults in one day than I
believe I got all summer. The appreciation of the adults and the love
of these kids is overwhelming.
Mrs. Townsend’s call goes to men and women of all ages. My call,
however, especially goes to the men of my generation, the “grandpa’s.”
Except on the days that I’m there, Woodland only has one adult male
role model… the custodian. I regret I don’t know his name, but the kids
love him.
Many of them “need” him – or me, or any other male willing to give them
the type of love, guidance and example that can only come from the
other gender. Tammy and Susie told me it would be so. And I have found
it to be so.
Folks, do you want to make a difference in the life of a child? Do you
want to be part of the solution that we banter so “intellectually”
about all the time?
I firmly believe that working with these kids has added years to my
life. I believe it will yours as well. It will certainly make a
difference to these children. They need us. All of us.
Stop by or give Andrea Townsend a call. By state law, you will have to
go through an approval process, but you will be heartily welcomed.
That’s My Opinion. What’s Yours?
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