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Ramblings of an Old Man
Helping a child
grow
By Bob Robinson
Oh… so so SO tired.
My Edison classes wrapped up on Thursday, May 10; there were still a
full two more weeks of Greenville classes… so I looked forward to a few
assignments. I got them. In spades.
I was a kindergarten sub the next day… then first grade, then second
grade, then… well, you get the drift. For the next 11 days I got to
step into the shoes of teachers who work with little ones 180 days a
year.
They don’t get paid enough.
I was oh, so so tired. And I even had a break. One day was only a half
day, and I had two days on the other side of the building
(Intermediate). Different challenges but much quieter. No grumpy-ness
required. I even got to talk a little American history with one of them.
Really really tired? Yup. As only a 73-year-old can be. But it was a
good tired.
Every class was memorable; most were first and second grades.
Sometimes, when there was a shortage of subs, I got to be a gym or art
teacher during my “planning” period (subs, needless to say, have
nothing to plan).
It was the end of the school year. Testing was finished. Contrary to
popular belief, teaching doesn’t stop after testing; it just slows down
a little. Sometimes. We got to work on grammar, spelling… and math! We
usually had a little extra time after completing lesson plans, so I’d
throw challenges at the kids…
Spell “January.” What’s 22 minus 6? Spell “school.” What’s 13 plus 24?
Every once in a while I’d throw in one of my favorites: spell
“crocodile.” One second grader actually got it. I was impressed. Two
even got “alligator.” Color me really impressed.
I wrapped up the year with a 3-day first grade assignment. One of the
days was Field Day. The games the kids got to play were creative and,
without exception, required considerable physical activity. It never
ceases to amaze me the number of children who come to school in “heels”
or “flip-flops” on those days…
Enough said.
The kids had a ball. It was sunny and warm, so there were plenty of
water breaks. Sunscreen was the order of the day, although it had to be
applied before the students got to school. Not sure I really understand
it, but teachers and staff are not allowed to put sunscreen on a child.
Am I being naïve in addition to ancient?
As each class got to the final game, mine included, they got to play
with water. And they also got the opportunity to get sprayed. I think
that was their favorite part of the day.
I enjoyed ALL my assignments, but my favorite had to be one of my
second grade classes. I didn’t have to get grumpy once. They were model
students, even for second graders. It was “invention day,” and their
behavior was a level above many of the other second grade classes
showing off their inventions. It was a special event for parents,
guests, teachers and staff.
A really impressive class.
I found out later why… their teacher had told them that if she didn’t
get a good report from the sub (me), they wouldn’t be able to
participate in Field Day.
Just being impressive wasn’t good enough for these kids. At the end of
the day, they started walking up to me with notes, drawings and
expressions of love and how great and funny they thought I was. Of
course, I didn’t know about the teacher’s admonitions at the time.
“Best teacher ever. I love you as a sub. Really NICE teacher. You solve
those problems. Thank you. Love, (name). You are nice and you are
sweet, Love (name).” I even got a thank you note signed by half a dozen
of the boys in the class.
Two students went the extra mile: “I love you because you are the best
teacher ever and I hope you call me;” signed with hearts and a phone
number from (name). And… “You are a really NICE teacher and I hope you
call me; CALL ME,” phone number with drawing of child and hearts, and
no name.
Hmm… Wonder where they learned that approach?
Did I care (when I found out) that they were just campaigning for a
good report? Not really. It had to be one of my best sub days ever. I
enjoyed working with the little ones. The notes? Icing on the cake.
There was one that will probably stay with me forever. I don’t care the
reason. It made my day. The child had colored a picture (good job,
too); she smiled as she handed it to me and gave me a hug. At the top
of the page, it said “Thank you for helping me grow this year.”
I melted. And, of course, the second grade class got its Field Day.
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