MCC Friday Reflections

There are 25 students and two adults in Room 202.  That's a lot of people in a room for 6 hours a day.  Needless to say, there is a shortage of space.  It's hot.  It's stuffy. On the first day of school I told the kids, as I always tell my new students, to push in their chairs when they leave their desk.  I told them this is especially true this year since we have so many people. They listened.  Not only did they listen the first day of school, they kept pushing in their chairs day in and day out.  It may seem like a small thing, maybe even insignificant.  But it's more than a simple act of pushing in a chair...it speaks to the character of the class; and ultimately the character of the individual. A fourth grader has many things on their mind...least of which is to push in their chair when they get up.  They have to think about their school work, their friends, their family; who they are going to sit next to ...

The week comes to a close today. My 13th year of teaching is underway. I am fortunate; in many ways. Being able to work with children has afforded me the opportunity to reach into the future. The kids I taught 13 years ago are now in their early twenties. Some may be finished with college and seeking employment; some may be fully employed. Others may be furthering their educational endeavors by going for a higher degree, while still others may be seeking to start a family. As a teacher, it is strange to think of these scenarios when talking about my former students. You see, I still picture them as the nine and ten year olds that they were when they were with me. Placing them at a graduation ceremony, a job interview, or even a wedding seems to stretch my imagination. But I know they are there; living their lives probably in a manner consistent with their personalities that shone through in my classroom. In the end, I know in my heart that they are fine. And hopefully th...