“DISCARDS?”
Many of our students in special education are thriving, coming from stable loving homes. But many others are not so lucky. We do what we can for them, we try to give them hope letting them know that they can make good choices going forward, despite the past. We teach, we coach, we nurture. Sometimes we feel like their parents. Sometimes we feel like wet dishrags. Sometimes, they listen and wonderful things happen.
Here comes Nolan into my life, dwarfing my 5 foot frame. He is not off to a great start. A motorcycle accident killed his father when he was just a baby, and mom fights with depression and a lung disorder every day. On New Year’s Eve of his 8th. Grade year, she took enough pills to kill herself, and Nolan had just minutes to call 911 and save her. But she loves this boy and struggles to stay alive and functional for him.
I remember the words of a former boss, “Give them structure. Let them see success. Okay, here goes. Nolan begins to respond to structure and TLC. I can see him thinking, “I can actually do this.”
I get tired of his complaints about not being able to get from café study to his next class. “It’s way too far, Mrs. K. No one can do it.” So I walk it myself, easily, in the 7 minute passing time. When he walks in, late again, I tell him how long I’ve been there, how short my legs are, and how old I am, compared to him. Nolan looks down at me and queries, “Are you shrinking?” But he gets the point.
In his senior year we face together the Monster of “Brit Lit” and I once more ponder the question, “Should every single kid be given a classical education?” But we dive in together, for Pinkerton’s answer is a resounding “Yes!” I reword, tap dance, and some days scream through “Macbeth” and wonder. But he makes it. Slowly I realize that “Brit Lit” builds a strong foundation for the moral basis of our civilization. Macbeth was wrong to murder Duncan. And we could throw in so many other authors with Shakespeare.
When Logan graduates, I get a card from Mom. “See this great big smile on my face? You put it there!”