A few years ago a blogger friend posted something she'd written when she was 11. I didn’t write when I was 11, if I could avoid it. But she got me thinking about 11 yr-old me. That was the year I learned I had no defense against tears. It was the 5th grade. I showed up for the first day of school hoping to be assigned to Mrs. Bloom--and I was! She was great.
She was also 5 months pregnant. She taught me a lot before she left on maternity leave, including how to sew an apron for my mom (as an Xmas present). She made it to the holidays and then we were assigned a new teacher. A brand new teacher, she had just graduated at the end of the fall semester. She was only 21.
On the new teacher’s first day she introduced herself, talked about her parents, and how excited she was to move to DC (from Tennessee). Then she started to take attendance. Well, she tried. The kids thought it would be funny to refuse to answer. Before she got to my name, the teacher broke. She went to her desk, put her head down, and started crying.
It was horrible, unbearable! I couldn’t take it. Someone had to do something, but everyone was looking down at their feet. Then I remembered one of my dad’s favorite lectures. When something needs to be done, you can’t wait around hoping someone else will take care of it. You need to step up and do it yourself. So I did.
I went to her desk, patted her on the shoulder and told her it would be okay. The kids would cooperate now. She looked up and asked how I knew. I smiled and said, “Because I know their names!” That made her laugh and everything was okay after that. She and I developed an interesting relationship. A few months later she asked if I thought it would be okay if she asked the (handsome, single) 6th grade teacher for a ride while her car was in the shop. I said, “Of course, you're co-workers." That may have been the first time I offered relationship advice.
I try to keep it a secret, but tears still work on me.
PS - When my daughter heard this story, she said "You were a weird kid!" lol!
sounds like you were an 'old soul' - so yes, a weird kid. tears work on me too. and I like to think I would have done something for the teacher too. it seems unfair and unnecessarily cruel. like, you know, stuff kids do...
ReplyDeleteSome kids do have a special talent for that (one of my older brothers was a master at it). So it's good to have kids who were like you to help balance that out. :)
DeleteAw I bet that teacher is forever grateful for what you did for her! I'd like to think that most men can't resist a woman's tears! :)
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
I think that's true about not being able to resist. There was a funny Seinfeld episode with that theme--they saw a fellow who was completely unmoved when his wife/GF started crying (I htink he said he wasn't going with her to visit her parents). He just continued to act normal as he ate his lunch. They were shocked and amazed to see that (I would be too :).
Deletehow adorable! but damn, kids can be cruel!
ReplyDelete-kathy
Vodka and Soda
haha, maybe I should thank my siblings for toughening me up before I started school! :)
DeleteIts always a delight to read you!! I must say you were an adorable kid :) and best part was you made her laugh!!
ReplyDeletemyglossyaffair.blogspot.in
I was just learning about that funny business, so it didn't happen very often then....but I do it more now. It's important for people to laugh. :)
DeleteSo mature for your years...and maybe your dad also gave good advice ;). You were a "weird" kid though, being so responsible! I don't know if kids these days are so noble. So mean, yes. Noble, no.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! I should re-share my leaf raking story...I was such a little weirdo! My dad did have some good tips and some advice that had to be ignored. :)
DeleteAaaaaaw....this is one of the most adorable posts I've read this week:D Yay to 11-year-old you. I would like to think I would've done the same at that age, but probably not:O
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you would have!
Deletevery sweet and cute stories. none of my teachers growing up were like your teachers. They were older, rude, and plain mean. Not sure if it was them having been a teacher for so long. However, comparing your stories to mine yours definitely hits the spot!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I had a bunch of those too! But I have to give two of them credit for being good for me. :)
DeleteWhat you did was really very sweet and I'm quite sure your teacher would remember you forever. I can imagine a sweet little kid patting the teacher's back and offering to help with the attendance taking.
ReplyDeleteI would never ever break down in front of my uncooperative class. I used to have lots of them and they slowly became good. The stress would be there and then I would just go home and cry about how and why some kids and parents are just not like the rest. Crying is good as a form of release to me but not to win sympathy unless it's to the hubz. Hehehe...
That's good, you can never let the pack sense weakness. I learned that from being the youngest of six. :)
DeleteAww that's really sweet of you! That poor teacher. It takes a brave soul to face a classroom of kids lol. I'm sure she never forgot that day!
ReplyDeleteShe was so enthusiastic about teaching. During one of her parent's visits to see her, she had them come in and talk to the class about being socially responsible.
DeleteThat was incredibly sweet of you - not surprised to know that you were considerate and kind to someone having a tough time
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to randomly be nice--as long as the person doesn't want to be friends afterwards. That can be the worst!! LOL I'm mostly kidding, but you know one story about a person I don't like wanting to be friends, so I'm not totally kidding. I'm particular about who I call a friend. :)
DeleteWeird?Nah!Pretty cool you were :D Hahaha
ReplyDelete