This is my favorite true funny event that happened while I was a Teacher for fours and five year-olds. At the time of the story the boy was five but now he is seven-teen. I think good stories last forever. I worked in this place for ten years and loved the children!
"Fail to plan is to plan to fail." I have always liked this motto.I was known for being an organizer and planner by my co-workers, the children and the parents. Even in the best planned out schedules, quirks and kinks are sure to arise.
One of those unplanned experiences happened to me recently. As our K=5 class were getting ready for school, we ate lunch as a class, took out the trash, clocked out and were on our way.
Choosing responsibilities were a part of our routine for each child. On this day, Darren, chose the Hot item and highly coveted position of "line leader."
I had just clocked out all sixteen children. In a line, we went up the hallway, past the drinking fountain and through the double doors. I kept a watchful eye on them to keep them from bothering each other. As the line went up two small flights of stair. I had them go to the top and wait for me. I watched the line go by one by one to make sure they were good and didn't need my help. I started walking up the stairs with my thoughts on what I was going to do next. I looked at my watch to see what time it was. I liked to allow them enough time for the children to run in our gym right before they go to school.
I was on the fifth stair from the top when I stumbled and was tripping forward. I fumbled to try to catch my balance. Those obedient K-5 children had their backs to me waiting patiently. As I was falling forward, I had a good view of who was in my path. There was Darren. I thought, Oh, No, I'm going to hurt him. I'm such a large lady that if I fall on him, I'll crush him? Darren is stout for his age and generally a tough five-year-old boy, but no match for me!
My air time seemed to extend forever, although it was only a few seconds. In mid air I scooped up Darren, whipped my body around like a slow motion tail of a fish out of water. Darren and I hit with a hard thud! It was a body slam at the top of the stairs. When the fall was over both of us were on our backs, Darren on my left and I on his right, his coat and backpack scattered at our feet.
My thought is I should say something to him. The look on Darren's face I will never forget.It was a cross between bewilderment, shock and what happened? I turned to him and said "Darren, Mrs. Johnson...fell." I smiled and just waited to see his response.
Darren leaped up quickly, brushed himself off ans assumed his line leader status. Then he said loudly, "Ohhhhhh....Mrs. Joohnnsoon!"
I looked at him as I got up. He was acting like I meant to do this, another planned class event? He searched my face to see if it was a joke or If I was teasing him? I had to smile and even giggled, as I asked him if he was alright. Darren just nodded his head.
Then I saw Daniel, the buy who was second in line. Now, his facial expression was priceless. Daniel seemed relieved he didn't choose to be line leader this day.The other children were looking at me. Then I was filled with embarrassment. All of them appeared to want to burst out laughing, but were afraid to at the same time.
Yes, routines and plans to help my job move along smoothly. I would not have planned this small fall in the hall with Darren. This experience had shown me about love, trust and even grace my class has given me freely.
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
