There are teachers, and there are remarkable teachers. Steve the Crossing Guard is one of the remarkable teachers, and he doesn’t teach in a classroom. He teaches on the street at a school crossing. The children at his crossing will often learn far more than they learn in the classroom.
I got an email from Steve the Crossing Guard at 6:39 AM. It was titled,
“Boston Massacre 3/5/1770”.
The text simply said:
Yes, you bet we’ll discuss it, within the hour…
Have a great day!
Steve
WOW!
This is exactly what Steve the Crossing Guard does. He is so excited for what’s to come, because he has planned questions and challenges for the students. The anticipation of knowing and then wanting to pass it on is the greatest feeling. Really.
At 8:01 PM that night, he emailed:
Jennie,
So much history tomorrow: Michelangelo’s bday; fall of the Alamo; Dred Scott case. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t focus on a huge event, Nabisco’s introduction of the Oreo cookie in 1912. I bought 2 pkgs, 72 cookies, to pass out tomorrow morning. Isn’t history wonderful?
Steve
Happy Birthday, OREO cookie
March 6, 5:37 PM
I mentioned Michaelangelo in the afternoon, the kids were pretty much aware of his. But honestly, OREOs won the day.
If I remember, I’m going to talk about Michaelangelo again tomorrow morning and ask, “what do we need to do to be remembered almost 450 years later.”
This is becoming work, I have to prep at night for the next day.
Have a great day, Jennie!
Steve
March 6, 9:51 PM
It was pretty good. A few mentioned that they had studied it in middle school, so, there was some familiarity. However, some were impressed, or surprised, that it was J Adams who defended them. I didn’t tell them the outcome of the trial. I suggested they find out for themselves. I’ll follow-up on that.
Jennie, if you were at my crossing, you would be so enthusiastic that we’d all be mentally tired listening to you saying, ‘more, more, ask me more’. I would be drained trying to satisfy your appetite.
I’m beat. Gnight, my friend!
Steve
They Teach Me
March 7, 8:24 PM
Such a good laugh starting the day with a high school brother/sister. I asked what Michelangelo would have tweeted when he finished the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, if Twitter was available. The boy, Lewis, said “LOL, It’s Done!” We had good belly laughs.
But another boy, a Senior, informed me that Michelangelo was made to do the ceiling by the Pope and it took 15 years. I was ignorant about that but loved the info.
A few minutes later, a high school girl started educating me on the ‘radium girls’, a fascinating story of corporate cover up and courage. It’s the play this Spring but I’m getting the book. Check it out on Wicki.
Any day that begins with a laugh is a good day.
Have a great Friday, Jennie.
Steve
P.S. Friday’s word is PETULANT
March 9, 7:18 PM
These kids are anything but ‘petulant’, and I told them so. Also told them to use the word in a sentence 10 times and they’ll remember it forever, or, until they get old, like me.
They listened (and I have to go fast to get it in) and I’m sure some will remember it. But, they were interested and that was rewarding.
Thank you, Steve. Beam me over to your crossing. I want to be there, too.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 