Tucked Away

The role of a parent runs deep through the life of a child.

     During curriculum night parents had an opportunity to write a note to their 4th grader.  The note was to be read the following morning  by the respective student.  Each parent that attended did in fact write a note.  They were left on their desks.  One note, however, was tucked lovingly away in the student's desk---to be found!

     When the kids arrive to school we marched through the hallway and up the first flight of stairs.  I had them stop on the staircase to give them specific instructions on starting our day.  Being the day after curriculum night, I let them know that if their parent did attend the previous night that they would find a note on their desk.  I didn't realize there was a note tucked away.  I let those kids, whose parents were unable to make it, know that they obviously didn't receive a note but are to take the pile of papers on their desk home to their parents.  With that being said we began our day.

     Those students expecting a note eagerly found their desk and delighted in the words they found on the paper left behind by their parent(s).  It's always heartwarming to see their faces as they read the note...they smile, they sometimes blush a bit, and they have a "brightness" that surrounds them.

    The student whose parent left the note inside the desk was expecting a note on the desk.  The bewildered look on the student's face caught my eye.  I knew the parent had left a note...at least I thought I knew.  The student looked around and witnessed the same joy I had seen in the other students' faces.  The student turned away from the desk and went out into the hallway to visit the lockers, putting away books and getting ready for the day.


     I found this small space of time when the student was out of the room to be an opportunity to go with a hunch.  I thought maybe the note was inside the desk.  I quickly made my way over to the desk and peeked in...it was there.  My sense of relief for the student filled me.  The student returned and began the morning work that was on the desk...and in the mind of the student, that was the only thing waiting.  I walked past the student as the morning work was underway, placed my hand on the student's shoulder and whispered, "Look in your desk."  There was hesitation on the part of the student since what I was talking about was elusive...yet the student did as told and looked in the desk.  By that time I had walked away and tended to other students.

     As I circled the room I caught a glimpse of the expression on the student's face.  It had a shine to it that showed off the love between parents & child.  The student's eyes beamed with brightness, the smile that drew across the face of the student was one of pleasure combined with a sense of trust...as though the student just knew that there had to be a reasonable explanation for not seeing a note on the desk as others had found.  The student's day had just gotten a whole lot better.

     The note that was lovingly placed in the desk of this 4th grader brought such joy to the child.  I wish the parent could have seen the expression!

     Life's little surprises sometimes aren't that little.  

Mr. Casten

Aug. 28, 2015

All written material is property of Michael C. Casten

On the Job

     The sound of silence often accompanies the first days of school.  Students "check out" what their environment holds for them come the next nine months.  And while that silence is eventually broken a sense of comfort has prevailed since entering the building.  The "work" of a child lies squarely in school.  By the time 4th grade has arrived they have been "on the job" for a good 4-5 years already.  They're comfortable in their role. 

     Like any job an adult may have there are parts of it that kids like and dislike.  Regardless of their feelings toward any particular aspect of their work, they are asked and required to fulfill their obligations:  classwork, homework, tests, projects, social activities, and more.  They are put on a path of rigorous work that requires the act of thinking, responding, and questioning.  Their "job performance" is constantly being observed, judged, and critiqued.  In spite of "missing the mark" on a particular task they turn around and try again...day in and day out...to get it right.

     Like any job an adult may have there is the social piece of school that kids experience.  The classroom likens itself to an office space.  It has rules and regulations, procedures and expectations.  Personalities adhere to one another as well as clash against each other.  Drama can infiltrate the environment and feelings are often worn on the shoulder.  A sense of belonging begins to ripen as experiences are shared.

     Like any job an adult may have there is the responsibility of school that kids experience.  Work needs to be completed, behaviors needs to kept in check, and awareness of community must be present.  Kids are learning that their individual actions often affect other people...and depending on the choices they make carve out that affect.  Personal responsibility for actions, words, and demeanor is practiced daily in school.

     Like any job an adult may have there is a sense of accomplishment, of pride as it were, in a job well done.  School offers the chance to shine.  While one may not shine everyday they will shine at some point...and more than just once.  The pride that compliments a job well done, a concept learned, or a well-intentioned act of kindness often permeates one's desire to continue to do well.  What we feed grows!

     I would have to say one of the best parts of teaching is the opportunity it affords me to encourage kids to rise to their potential, to help them understand all that they can be, and to push them farther than they would care to push themselves.