Steve is a fellow blogger and a school crossing guard in western New York state. I have to tell you what he does with children. Obviously the best teachers are not always teachers in the classroom.
Last January he wrote a blog post, “How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck…?” It has not left me. It sticks to me. I can’t let it go. Steve decided to ask interesting questions to the students at his crossing, like “Who is Pavarotti?” and “Who was Francis Scott Key and what did he write on this day (Sept 14) in 1815?” and “What direction are we facing while wanting to cross? Forward doesn’t count.” and “Why did Frosty the Snowman tell the kids not to cry?”
Steve did this to strengthen the daily dialogue with students, and stimulate their thinking skills. That became a big deal; children expected his question of the day, and the roots of friendship began. Then, conversations started to take place. In Steve’s words:
- ‘Space exploration’: first country, name and payload (most knew Russia, some knew Sputnik, and others guessed dog, monkey, ‘don’t know’ …correct answer was dog on Sputnik.
- ‘What is the preamble?’: first we defined preamble then many knew of the preamble to the US Constitution. I suggested that the words “We the People” was pretty powerful.
- ‘February and Calendar’: Which one do we use, Roman or Gregorian? Some knew the Gregorian and I explained that the switch was the result of the Roman night aligning properly with various solstices. Also in the Roman calendar, February was the last month and it’s meaning meant celebration, and the Roman leader declared it would be a month long celebration of the previous months.
One girl, a freshman, asked if Gregorian was named after Pope Gregory. Hmm… Steve looked up the answer. That triggered a change. Now there was real dialogue. And, the kids wanted this. Steve had another idea; he asked the school kids to think of their favorite quote and write it down so he could make a list to give them.
Wow. Steve has gone from asking questions to having conversations. Now, he is throwing the ball in the student’s court. He knows they’re ready.
Steve said there was not much of an interest at first, then there was a breakthrough.
“A high school girl used to walk by without a word, even when I would say ‘good afternoon’. Recently she seemed to take an interest in my routine of asking questions or sharing facts. She even said hello.
In passing me this afternoon on the way to her bus, she stopped, reached into her bag and handed me a laminated sheet (must have been done at school today) with 9 quotes from Thich Nhat Hahn, a Buddhist monk. Apparently he’s well known.
The quotes are interesting but, more importantly, this girl has changed remarkably since she started crossing with me. I was a bit stunned when she gave me the paper, but I told her how happy it made me.”
And so it continued throughout the rest of the school year. Quotes from students started trickling in. And good to his word, Steve made a list and gave it to the students. Here is the collection of quotes from Steve the Crossing Guard’s students:
Favorite Quotes From Brighton Middle & High School Students*, 2017/2018 (*contributed by a few students and a crossing guard)
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet”
(Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk/peace advocate)
“Because you are alive, everything is possible”
(Thich Nhat Hanh)
“Just because you’re happy doesn’t mean the day is perfect, it means you’ve looked beyond its imperfections”
(Bob Marley, Jamaican singer/songwriter)
“The most important things in life aren’t things”
(Author unknown)
“If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger”
(Buzz Aldrin, American astronaut)
“Then tell the wind and fire where to stop, don’t tell me’ Madame DeForge!”
(from Charles Dickens ‘A Tale of Two Cities’)
“Happy is still legal in all 50 states”
(Jello ad)
“Nobody thinks it will work, do they? You’ve just described every great success story”
(Say Anything)
“Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing it is stupid”
(Albert Einstein, German born scientist…genius)
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it”
(Thich Nhat Hanh)
“That’s one of the great things about music, you sing a song to 85,000 different people and they’ll sing it back for 85,000 different reasons”
(David Grohl, American musician/songwriter)
“To thine own self be true, and it shall follow, as the night the day, that thou canst then be false to any man”
(Polonius, from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’)
Thank you, Steve. You have done far more for children than many of their classroom teachers. You are the real teacher. And, it gets even better- a thank you note:
Steve can be followed at srbottch.com
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a guy!
Yes, indeed!
An inspirational man indeed. Perhaps he should also be teaching?
Best wishes, Pete.
I agree! And, apologies that Inhave been swamped with the end of the school year and haven’t read my fellow blogger’s posts. This weekend! Best to you, Pete.
No apology necessary, Jennie. Life has to come before blogging! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
🙂
Thanks, much appreciated, but I only see the kids 40 minutes, twice a day. Can you imagine the energy Jennie expends having the kids for a full day. She’s an ‘energizer bunny’ that keeps going and going. I go for a coffee after my first shift…and rest. 😉
Point taken. Jennie is legendary! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
😊
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
Fabulous stuff!! A great tale. A great person. Great children. Great quotes.
Thank you, Opher. He is a wonder!
Thank you, Opher!
What an amazing person, someone who goes the extra mile with his job, making it more meaningful for him and the students. I love this story, wish there were more like it.
He really is amazing, Darlene. Can you imagine if all school crossing guards were like that? That would be staggering. I wish there were more of these stories, too.
Thank you, Darlene. It has become more meaningful for me and makes the job more interesting. One week of school to go. But there’s still some good exchanges left. Did you know that G Washington was 6’2”? A giant in 1775. The kids were ‘wowed’ by that, today. 😊
I didn’t know that. Thanks for teaching me something too.
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
This is another wonderful post from Jennie!
Thank you, Charles!
Thank you, Charles!
Jennie, This is wonderful!!!
Thank you! He is amazing. What a gift to those kids.
what a nice and inspiring story. Heroes show up everywhere. I really like Steve. I ish adults had a crossing guard like him!
I agree! You said it well. Thank you, Michele.
Michele, some do. Several teachers cross at my post every morning and I make sure to get them involved. I think they try to budge ahead to hear what’s happening. 😉
good for you! You have inspired me too! I am a music teacher in a small Montessori school. thank you!
I might be way off but I think that sharing some odd fact, historical info or even telling kids about something you did as a kid, yourself, gives them some brief insight into a different world and even broadens their thinking skills. Yesterday, some of the kids were amazed (and even a teacher) when I told them how tall G Washington was (6’2”) and how he compared to others. Have a wonderful day.
🙂
I think you are right on target-and I had no clue that George Washington was 6’2″. I usually have a quote or a poem posted in the room . I like your idea
I just started reading, ‘Killing England’, one of Bill O’Reilly’s ‘Killing…’ series, which are excellent. Amazingly, there are many things we probably didn’t know about ol’ GW that are quite interesting. But there is no doubt that he was a warrior. I’m probably boring you but that’s when you can roll your eyes…as the kids do sometime. 😉
Inspiring indeed! I love some of those quotes!
You are so right, Ritu. What a guy! And the quotes the kids gave him are really impressive.
I’ve printed them off, they were so good!
Awesome!
😁
Tutu, one of my favorites was the Jello ad about happiness.
Yes that caught my eye first! Never heard it before being in the UK!
Are you familiar with the Jello product? By the way, I have some Instagram followers in England and they post the most wonderful photos of your country. 👍
We call it jelly here!!! What you call jelly we call jam lol!
‘Variety is the spice of life’ 😊
True dat!
Now you’re sounding like you live here, maybe in a southern part of the US, around the city of New Orleans. 😂
It’s the universal language of ‘street’!!!
I need to break away from my ‘boring’ chains and get out on the ‘street’ more…😉
Ha! It’s not that much fun… 😉
Cool, what a wise and great guy!
Absolutely, Marcia!
Wow, this is just amazing. What a great idea and I love how this shows that even the most standoffish kid can be reached with time and even the smallest effort (saying hello). What a guy. Thank you Jennie!!
Yes! Even saying hello can make a big difference. I love that! He is an amazing guy. 🙂
Shared this in my Posts of Note Jennie! ❤
Thank you! ❤️
Thanks. when I realized that I was their first and last contact in a position of authority for the school, my responsibility became more meaningful. The goal was to start their day with a smile and mist did. Thank you.
Just amazing. It’s great to start a dialog with the kids and it’s even greater when they start teaching YOU! I love the statement “this girl has changed remarkably since she started crossing with me”. That just gave me the warm fuzzies.
You said it well! He is amazing. And, making a difference in the life of a child is as good as it gets. I love the story of the girl. 🙂
When I get the smallest smile from her, it makes my day.
I remember this lovely post of Steve’s, Jennie. I shared it at the time.
That post was one of my favorites, Robbie. I’m so glad Steve continued on with the children to do much more. This was a great finale to his school year.
The children are so lucky to have someone who respects their brain. Thanks, Jennie.
John, I have to write that down. You have no idea how profound your statement is. You are seeing this through a different lens. Thank you!
I have always approached children as if they had a brain. I think it is a way to communicate on the proper level and is a trust builder. Thanks, Jennie.
Now, if only every parent and teacher could see it the way you and Steve do. Of course you have hit the nail on the head.
I’m fortunate to be in an excellent s hook district, John. Some of these kids are taking classes now that would have been college classes ‘back in the day’.
Jennie, I’m at a loss as to what to say and how to thank you (unusual for me). It is such an honor to have you write about me in your blog. And let me tell you about the influence you have had on me, and surely others. Part of what I do with the kids at my school crossing post just comes naturally because I saw my father, rest his soul, do it whenever he had the chance to be with young people. And a big measure of what I do is a result of reading your blogs and seeing the impressive work you do with your young students. You are a terrific example for being ‘positive’. As I’ve told you, if I had to do it again, you’d be my teacher. Your energy and creativity is unlimited and your enthusiasm for being a positive influence on kids (and adults) knows no boundaries. Thank you for ‘sharing me’ with your followers, Jennie.
Steve, thank you for your wonderful words. They are much appreciated. And, thank you for being you, giving children far more than you realize. You are my hero. I’m so glad that my blog has been an influence and a part of what you do. In the words of Charlotte the spider, “You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.” 🙂
Very nice words from you and Charlotte. When you’ve been around long enough to look back at your life, as I have, it’s rewarding to know that, for some brief period of time, you had a positive influence on someone. Let’s keep doing what we’re doing! Happy writing, Jen!
Well said, Steve. It is rewarding. When you think about it, we’re pretty darn lucky. Yes, let’s keep doing what we’re doing. I hope you check in to read all the wonderful comments bloggers have said about you. 🙂
Jennie, I did read the comments and they were wonderful. I have to control my ego (kidding). Would it be appropriate to address them?
That’s a good question. When this happens to me I always hit ‘like’ and reply when it feels like the right thing to do. From the standpoint of the reader who has commented, they may be thrilled to hear a few words from you. That’s up to you. Interestingly, some of my followers (and vice versa) have grown from this same situation. I have a feeling the comments will keep coming in, so keep on the lookout. In the words of Yogi Berra, it ain’t over till it’s over. 🙂
What a great way to turn an ordinary job into an extraordinary experience.
Absolutely! If only everyone felt that way about their job… well, I recall you did when you worked at the post office one summer. 🙂
I’ve tried to keep this up throughout my career. It makes work fun.
Yes, it does. 🙂
Excellent way to put it, Dan. And it has been a great experience for me, too.
What a wonderful uplifting thing to read after a long tiring day. Bravo and thank you 🙂
I’m so glad, Norm. Thank you. 🙂
What an inspiration! Teachers could take a lesson from him, Great job Steve!!🎉
Hear, hear!
A few do, Doris, when they cross at my post, too. 😊
I remember the Woodchuck post, Jennie. I love this update on Steve. It shows how easy it is to create connections, to make kids feel valued, and to spark their intellect and imagination. What a hero. 🙂
Well said, Diana. He does it all. What a real hero!
Thanks, Diana. The Woodchuck day was fun.
My pleasure, Steve. You’re an inspiration.
That is so nice of you to say. I will pass that compliment down the line to Jennie, her work is amazing and I’m sure she’s inspired many to be creative and caring in their work. 👍
😊
What an incredible man to take a job some would treat as mundane and do something so wonderful with it. The world IS full of inspiring people. Yay Steve! 🙂
You are so right, Marlene. It’s the Steve’s of the world that give us hope and inspiration.
It’s interesting, Marlene, that one goes about his career, enjoying work, retires and then finds something totally unrelated but equally as rewarding. From a sales career to a crossing guard, go figure! 😉
It is interesting the way life guides us to exactly where we should be when we should be there. 🙂
Wow! What a neat thing to do, and extraordinary man!
Very much so, Deborah. 😀
Thank you, Deborah.
You are most welcome!
Such an inspiring post, Jenni. I remember your previous post about Steve. What a remarkable man. The number of lives he has improved must be enormous. He has a huge heart.
I love the fact that he not only continued, but grew all he did. This was a pleasure to write his follow-up. I can only imagine what September will be like on his corner. Yes, Steve has improved lives. He’s a gem.
He is a gem in a million. How fortunate are those whose lives he has touched.
Indeed!
Thank you, Norah. I think I just started to realize the small but positive influence I’m having on the kids. And they’ve made it a pleasure for me, as well.
That’s a good thing about kindness, Steve. It’s like a bottomless well – the more you give out, the more you receive. It has no limit. Many of us learn wonderful lessons from your generosity of spirit. Thank you for making our world a better place.
🙂
Norah, thank you for those nice words. Very nice sentiments to read first thing in the morning. Have a great day!
What a kind and thoughtful man. The quotes are fantastic ❤️
He really is, Tina. I’m amazed at the quotes. I was way behind that eight ball in high school. Well, I didn’t have a teacher or crossing guard like Steve. Thanks, Tina.
You may not have had one, Jennie, but you became one ❤️
❤️
Thank you, Tina b
Most welcome, Steve ❤️
Wonderful and thank you for this sharing……
You’re welcome, Ren. So glad you enjoyed this. 🙂
Steve sounds like a wonderful guy. As I say about you, the children whose lives he visits are quite lucky. Hugs on the wing!
They are, Teagan. Hugs! 🙂
This is incredible, Jennie – thank you so much. I’d like to share this post for #ForgivingFridays, is that ok? I love the focus on opening dialogue and creating honest and loving connection.
I love your blog. So happy to know you. Happy Sunday, Jennie!
Debbie
That would be a wonderful share, Debbie. I am so amazed and inspired by Steve. Glad you enjoy my blog. Thanks so much! 😀
Will do Jennie! Love this. 🙂 More soon. Have a wonderful week. Debbie
Thanks! Best to you, Debbie. 🙂
Oh wow. He is an inspiration to all of us!
He really is!
If we could all take the opportunity to create meaningful dialogue with other people, especially kids, this world would be a better place. Thanks for sharing.
Well said, Dayne. Thank you!
It gets harder and harder to be Steve every day….May we all aspire to anyway!
Indeed!
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Thanks, Nikki. 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie. ❤️
What an amazing heart this man brings to his job. Truly an inspiring story. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more!! 😀