An unassuming hero...
Rodger with a “d”—that was his name. Last name began with a “T,” but I’ve forgotten it after the passage of time encompassing 16 years of retirement and somewhere in between the last 15 years of my teaching career inside the third-grade trenches. Rodger, a fair-skinned 9-year-old with reddish hair and of slight build, stands apart from the classroom multitude.
The teacher across from me in our open classroom setting gave him the moniker “Rodger the Dodger” for never turning in homework. Apparently, Rodger had better things to do with his time after school. Invariably, I’d add his name to the list on the board for “owing me one”. I dreaded taking this inventory for what I called the “paper chase”.
Besides shirking homework, Rodger appeared to be deep in thought throughout the day, assuming this scowl. Not that he didn’t smile, but his lingering facial expression stuck with me. On the playground, he never walked away from a fight. He also had the ability to dodge questions by shrugging his shoulders or muttering, “I don’t know.”
One morning, as the students trickled in to homeroom from various buses, lining up on the side of my desk to pay for milk or lunch, a cloudburst of news interrupted our routine. At least four boys charged into the room talking all at once about what happened on their bus—on this bone-chilling cold day.
As told, a kindergartner climbed aboard, not wearing any socks, his ankles all that much redder for it. The bus driver groused as to how a mother could let her kid out of the house without socks on such a cold day. Rodger, one of the denizens, sitting at the rear of the bus heard this. The boys told me he walked right up to the front seat, removed the youngster’s shoes, and proceeded to put his own gloves on bare feet.
Rodger, comfortable in his own skin at any time, walked into the classroom same as always, without his homework. He didn’t even realize the magnitude of his goodwill gesture until I praised him to high heaven. I’m sure I said, “You’re my hero!”
Atypically, he grinned when shrugging his shoulders. Anyway, he wasn’t going to get away with anonymity. I made sure the principal knew so Rodger could get the recognition he deserved.
I teared up then, as I do every time I think of Rodger. Students aren’t necessarily standouts for their impeccable homework record, stellar report cards, or flawless penmanship. Rodger is a standout for being a standup guy without expecting anything in return.
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A wonderful story many you have. Like to hear more about the good deeds of your students.
Ron
Sandie