Last night I received a facetime from a former colleague. She had two of my past 5th grade students visiting her who just graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy. My heart was filled with happiness to see and hear these two mature, women.
Anna will be attending St. Louis University in the fall pursuing a Political Science degree. Sophia will be attending St. Louis University as well, but in Madrid, Spain.
As I was ecstatically professing my happiness for these two ladies, Anna said, “Mrs. Gruss, Sophia has come a long way since running away at Barney Allis Plaza”. Whoosh, the memory came back and took me to the moment, filled with the emotions from the past.
Recess had ended and as the two fifth grade classrooms were lining up, controversy began with a small group of students. Working to de-escalate the situation, while my co-teacher was still rounding up students, I ignored the kids yelling my name. When I turned to them, they pointed and informed me that Sophia said “she was done and was going home”. I look and Sophia is B-lining it to the other end of Barney Allis Plaza. Being 2 months away from a knee replacement, I got Mrs. Jolt’s attention; a legit marathon runner. Mrs. Jolt took off as we all walked back to school in disbelief.
Mrs. Jolt eventualy caught up with Sophia and was questioned by kind citizens as to why she was grabbing and dragging a sweet, young lady to the sidewalk. After returning to school Sophia joined me in my classroom. I simply asked, “What were you thinking?” and she replied, “I just wanted to go home”. Don’t we all Sophia, Don’t we all.
A thought to puzzle over…
Has there been a time you visited with a student from the past and were so happy with their growth?
What are some productive ways you can help your students who just “want to go home”?