I looked to the back of the room and saw Emma (names changed) whispering to her classmate Julie. They were both in the middle of a written math exercise. Walking over, I observed that Emma had finished the first 15 questions, but 16 and on were still blank. Using my pen, I started tapping on Emma’s desk, directly on question 16. Emma, who by now had known me for 2 weeks, took her pencil and started tapping also on her desk, in the exact same tempo. I varied my tapping into double time, and we had quite a pleasing rhythm going on. This lasted only seconds, and then I turned and walked back to the front of the room. I had not said a word. When I turned back, the talking had stopped, and Emma was intently working on question 16 with a big smile on her face.
I was very proud of this for quite a while. I had gotten exactly what I wanted, and quickly. Most importantly, I had redirected Emma’s focus by lifting her up, and not diminishing her. As a sub, if you can get what you want, quickly, in a respectful, calm, life-enhancing way – that is a huge plus. When my assignment ended 2 days later – after 2 weeks – the kids presented me with a beautiful poster they made, full of touching thank you messages. Emma wrote: “Thank you for being the kindest, most superior sub in the world. I’ll miss you.” This from a 10 year old. Who happened to join me for 10 seconds of drumming one day.
Another favorite moment of my 2 weeks with these young students occurred during our study of Michelangelo. You may recall he painted the Sistine Chapel while lying flat on his back. Took him 4 years to complete. To give the students a sense of what he experienced, I had them lie under their desks, on their backs, and paint a drawing taped to the underside of their desks. “Do your arms hurt – imagine doing this for 4 years”. It was amazing. The kids loved it, and they may remember Michelangelo for a very long time. I got this idea from a teacher during recess.
Towards the end of my final day, I spent 2 minutes telling the kids something like:. “It was an honor teaching you. I really enjoyed it. As you go through school, you’ll take classes like chemistry, physics, and calculus. They might seem hard when you first see them. Never ever be intimidated. Never doubt yourself or get discouraged. New material simply takes time and focus. You learn it piece by piece, and it’s simple. Not easy. It takes work. But simple. And every single one of you can handle every subject you take in the future.
After all the goodbyes, I took my beautiful poster and walked to the parking lot. Hundreds of kids were going through the process of being matched with the correct vehicle to go home. Obviously security is a big issue here, and this is quite the process to see. As I started to walk to my car, three of my students came running over for more goodbyes”. “We’ll miss you Mr. Tom. Will you come back Mr. Tom?” I then walked across the lot to my car. As I opened my door, I looked back to the spot the three kids were standing. One little boy had remained there, watching me. He waved again, and I waved back. Then I got in my car and drove off. Teaching is many things, one of which is magic.