Another summer is in the books and the school buses will be rolling in Waltham and across many cities and towns throughout Massachusetts on Tuesday. My kids are all excited, new clothes laid out, ready to be worn. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks ready to be eaten at the crack of dawn. By Friday, the mornings turn into chaos, over sleeping, nothing to wear, rides needed b/c they miss the bus.
But if you are reading my diary, you need to thank a teacher. Even at my age, i can name them all. My favorite, I found out, was a former marine in WW II. He taught middle school English, and if you acted up, he turned his college ring inward, and tapped your head. I was a good kid, just got it one time. He was known for assigning lots of work, reading, memorizing poems, essays and quizzes every semester.
My Spanish teacher in HS. Sometimes I, and I’m sure many others, forgot our lunch money. He never said no, $2 handed to us all the time. All of my history teachers, oh they loved me. I was the only kid who dared say a nice thing about Richard Nixon. One of my history teaches was so startled by my defense of RMN, on the very next day, copies of old Nixon posters were taped on the wall, right next to the desk I sat in every day. One night when 7 years old, I remember seeing my 3rd grade teacher working at Star Market. I still remember the big smile and wave as I shopped with my dad, excited to see her.
Seems today, teachers are expected to perform miracles with all the kids. I know of a teacher in Lawrence who has students leave for a month at a time, others are the surrogate parents of even younger kids, as moms and dads work night jobs. I send my kids to Waltham Public Schools, and I wouldn’t trade any of them. I’m sure they have it more difficult than other school districts, but they still persevere and put up with the nonsense, like my friend in Lawrence. To all the school teachers out there, thanks for what you do, and to my past teachers, thanks for all the fond memories.
Thank you for the nice sentiments. Richard Stutman, Boston Teachers Union
Custodians, Front Office Staff (God bless them!) and Lunch Ladies who also nurture and guide our children.