Notes from public school - day 95

This is part of an article I wrote for The Greenville Journal. It’s a story that shows my theme for this year - I’m here/Estoy aquí.

I’m talking with Geraldine about a wonderful book she’s reading, “Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy“ by Karen Foxlee. 

“Oh Mr. Barton,” she says with a giggle, “I’m just like Ophelia in the story because she’s a curious kind of kid and I’m a curious kind of kid because I want to know everything about everything!”

Then she becomes serious. 

“But she’s a nervous kind of kid because she’s had a hard life and I’ve kind of had a hard life, too.” 

I look into her earthy brown eyes and think about the ground from which she came, for she came here from the farms and fields of Mexico with her family. 

For the first time, I notice the faintest of dark circles around her eyes, the slightest of a downward turn at the corners of her mouth, and a hint of tiredness and sadness that shouldn’t often be on a 10-year-old’s face.

“Geraldine,” I ask, “What is your life like?” 

And she tells me her story. 

“I share a room with my Mom, my aunt, my sister, and my two younger cousins,” she begins, “And my family works really hard.”

As she talks with me about the book and about her life, a tiny tear appears in the corner of her eye. 

I wonder if it comes from giggles or from sadness. 

I catch the tear in my hand as it rolls off her cheek.

“See how I caught your teardrop?” I ask. “As your teacher, I’m here to catch your happiness and your sadness. I’m here to help you learn everything about everything so you can be anything you want to be. I’m here.”

I hope she remembers I’m here - writing about her human face and fighting for her human rights.

I hope she remembers I’m here.