A positive influence.

Yet again, I find myself apologizing for neglecting this column.

I’d like to say I was terribly busy at work, but except for one week, that has not been the case; at least, not paid work.

I have been rather busy with church matters: organizing or assisting with several events, including a visit by the United Church Moderator, the Rt Rev Gary Paterson.

Mostly my time has been taken up with planning two Youth events: a Hawaiian LUAU, and a discussion and dinner with the Moderator. Both events were, if I may set aside any humility, terrific, and much-enjoyed by all.

However, I did do some paid work, teaching for seven days straight, at one point.

It was musical theatre week, and I covered classes for the two teachers who were involved in the show. It was nice to have some consistency, of sorts (I didn’t cover the same classes each day, as the performances alternated between morning and afternoon), and I even got used to getting up early each morning.

What was most satisfying, though, was just being in the classroom with the students. As a Occasional (Supply) Teacher, working only when called-out, being in the classroom for a half-day, or even an entire day, is exciting and rewarding, but then its over until the next call.

Being in the classroom for a week-long stretch reaffirms my vocation: I am a teacher.

What’s really nice is having students see me in the hall in the morning and asking who I am in for, and seeing them disappointed when it isn’t one of their regular teachers.

Net to that is seeing a student out in the community, at the mall or wherever, and having them say “hello.”

Two weeks ago I got to supply at two elementary schools, for a half-day each. Normally I wouldn’t get called-out for elementary — the two panels have separate supply lists — but there was a workshop happening that involved a large number of teachers, plus a few others called-in sick, and the call went out to qualified secondary teachers.

What a blast!

I had originally started in the elementary panel, but when an LTO (long-term occasional — a Mat-leave coverage) came up and I got to teach high school music, I switched to the secondary panel.

Many of you will know I also teach Sunday School at my church, so I do have regular contact with elementary-age children. But its just not the same.

I started the day in a grade 2/3 classroom. They were an eager bunch, very engaged in their learning and a lot of fun to be with.

In the afternoon I provided coverage for a “Release Teacher” — someone whose job is to provide coverage for other teachers on their “Prep” period.

I walked in after lunch to a JK-SK Gym class. What a hoot!

Next came a grade 1/2 Gym class, a 7/8 Drama class, and finally another 1/2 Gym class.

I was exhausted by the end of the day, but I had had a blast! Again, the students were engaged in their learning, and a lot of fun to be with. 

During the musical theatre week I was on my Prep period, walking down the hall behind the theatre when one of the school groups was coming in to see the play. I recognized some of the teachers from the school I had supplied at two weeks previously. 

The next thing I knew, the grade 2/3 class is walking by, and they all looked up with huge smiles and said, “Look! It’s Mister Root! Hi Mister Root!”

I cannot describe what an amazing feeling that is.

Earlier this week I was in one of the malls when an older woman was walking toward me with a young boy in tow. He looked up, recognized me, and said “Hi, Mister Root.”

He was one of the children from the grade 2/3 class.

To be honest, no one goes into teaching with the expectation of being recognized in public by a student, whether present or former. But I think all teachers will tell you that when that does happen it is a terrific feeling.

I remember a few years ago there was a discussion here in “the Blue Room,” likely (but not necessarily) stemming from a news story, of why people would become teachers.

The usual suspects chimed-in with the “they just want plenty of pay for lvery ittle work, and summers and holidays off” song and dance.

There were supporters — and not just teachers — who recognized teaching as a calling, as something they HAD to do, and would do whatever the pay or benefits.

I do recall that one poster, though I don’t remember who, who said something along the line of, “Why would anyone, especially a man, want t spend all day with little kids?”

As you can imagine, there was a good deal of outrage sparked by that comment. 

The thing is, if someone has to ask that question, there is no answer anyone could give that would satisfy them.

Why would anyone want to be a plumber? or a palaeontologist? or a proctologist?

It’s not for everybody. I know many wonderful high school teachers that would quite likely lose their minds trying to teach the primary grades. Likewise, elementary teachers aren’t always able to make the transition to high school.

And that’s okay. We can't all be plumbers, or dentists, or auto mechanics, either.

But being a teacher is so rewarding. I am lucky that I do feel comfortable with almost any grade. (I will admit, I’m not completely sure I’d want a kindergarten class for more than 20 minutes at a time. Kindergarten teachers are extra special people!)

I like teaching high school, because I am able to have really good conversations with the students. They ask deep, delving questions, and are willing to engage in meaningful discussion on a wide variety of topics.

The same cannot be said of seven year-olds.

That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy talking with them — I do! — but it is a very different conversation, typically one-sided (theirs) which often ends abruptly as their attention is diverted elsewhere.

Still, I am always amazed at the insight that young children possess, even if they sometimes lack the conversational skills of their older peers.

What is most rewarding is the knowledge that, even as a supply teacher, even if I only ever see that child one time, I may have had some influence on their life.

I’m not suggesting that I will always be foremost in their minds when asked who their greatest influence was when they were growing up. But I still feel that the way I interact with them in the classroom or on the playground might be a positive spark for them.

I recall all my classroom teachers, and a few of the supply teachers, from Kindergarten to grade 12. There are moments that stand out for some, while others remain simply a vague recollection.

There are a few who really did stand out, and who had a great influence on my life. But even those that only stood out for a moment, that moment was significant. 

There have been times when I have said, “I remember when Mrs So-and-So said…” or “Mr Such-and-Such once did this…”.

I may never be the greatest influence in a student’s life. But I hope that I will, at least, be more than a vague recollection, that I will be a “Mr Root said…” memory.

Because being a positive influence in a young person’s life, however briefly, is really what it’s all about.

But… that’s just my opinion.