Lessons From the Classroom

Attitudes vs. Vicissitudes

I think that what I most enjoyed about teaching was the simple adventure of hanging out with kids and experiencing their unique, always developing perception of the world around them.  They reveal so much in their observations and especially their questions.  And, when I was paying attention, there was always something for me to think about and learn from, too! To wit:

Because I substitute only at the school that was my second home for over thirty years, I am extremely comfortable going into the classrooms as a "guest teacher."  I know the kids, their families, the teachers, what's expected of me--the whole deal.  I usually "introduce" myself with "Good morning, kiddos! I AM OLD.  I get grumpy.  Don't be bozos, and we'll have a great day.  You know you don't want me to have to grab my broom and fly around the room like the old wicked witch I can turn into!"  Maybe not the most professional of intros, but it works just fine for me.  Often, no matter what the grade, the subject of my age comes up, so I have the kids figure out how old I am with a grade-appropriate math riddle.  I beam at the kids whose answers shave years away, and look aghast at the ones who peg me for a ninety-three year old crone.

One day recently, a little second grade sweetie came up to me to get a paper, and asked earnestly, "Mrs. Souza, how DID you get to be so old?"  This gave me pause.  It's all too easy to feel sadness, shock, and horror at the changes wrought upon our bodies and visages as time passes.  And yet...after a second or two, I replied with no small measure of glee, "Well, Karlie, apparently I haven't died!"  As this answer seemed to satisfy us both, Karlie went back to do her work, and I resumed my cruise around the classroom.

And still, she LIVES!