Notes from public school - day 69

Notes from public school - day 69

The last car came through the pick up line for our after school program.

Three students remained, so we took them back into the school building to wait for their parents.

I stood beside a 1st grader.

Since I teach 4th graders, and am around 9 and 10 year olds all day long, I forget how small 6 and  7 year olds can be.

This little guy was indeed small. 

I almost overlooked him.

This year, I’ve been trying to look closely and listen carefully to life around me.

“Since I almost overlooked this little fella,” I thought, “I need to ask him about his day.”

I didn’t want to ‘underhear’ him, If I can use a made up word to mean ‘not listening carefully to life around me.’

I knelt down beside him so I could hear him better.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey,” he answered, looking at me out of the corner of his wide, brown eyes.

“How was your day today?”

“Good.”

“What was the best part of your day?”

He shrugged his thin shoulders.

“I don’t know.”

“Was it recess? What’d you play at recess.”

“I made up a game with my friends.”

“Wow, you made up your own game? You must be very smart!”

The fact is, he is struggling mightily academically. That’s why he’s in the after school program.

I wanted him to know the smart side of himself.

Our talk went on until his ride appeared outside of the door.

He gave me a high five.

“Bye,” he said as he went out the door.

As he said it, he turned and looked at me and smiled a smile that said, “Thanks for seeing me...thanks for hearing me.”

“I’m here,” I thought. “Estoy aquí.”

It’s mostly what a teacher does...it’s mostly what a teacher is.