The Internship Saga Continues...

Hi, Everybody!

 

So, much like y’all would expect me to say (at least for another three months), it certainly was an interesting start to Week Three of my internship at Carter Elementary.

 

Mrs. Martin had a fun assignment for the class today; she went around the room and asked the little ones what they wanted to be when they grew up. I gotta admit—I kinda got a little giddy when she asked that question, and that’s because she asked me that same question when I was a wee little one… hahaha! Before I knew it, I started jumping up and down like I was five years old again, and then I cut off my excitement and sat back down… LOL!

 

In any event, the kiddies had some very interesting answers. Of course, there were the usual responses like doctor, teacher, and police officer, and then there were some responses that I didn’t expect—lawyer, judge, singer, and chef.

 

And then there was this one little girl named Alice, who I believe has walked this earth once upon a time—when it was her turn, she stood right up and boldly declared: “I wanna be like my mommy when I grow up. She takes care of me, my brother, and my daddy, and she’s her own boss at her job. She’s got it goin’ on!”

 

Before I could catch myself, I shouted, “Go ‘head on, Girl!”

 

And just when I thought that I had heard it all, along comes this one fella named Max… and there was no shame in Max’s game, either! He had an answer that made me and Mrs. Martin look at each other and almost holla. Max stood up and said, “I want money, lots and lots of money—I wanna be rich!”

 

Mrs. Martin chuckled a bit, but she was able to keep a straight face… I on the other hand wasn’t so fortunate. Matter of fact, I looked at Max and said, “I hear you, Buddy—I wanna be rich, too. I tell you what: We can both help each other out with that goal.”

 

Would y’all believe that Max smiled, winked at me, and said, “It’s a deal, Miss Natasha!”

 

I tell y’all—these little ones continue to prove Mr. Linkletter’s point in saying just the darnedest things!

Now, check this out, y’all: After the school day ended, Mrs. Martin said that I showed the mark of a true teacher by encouraging Max’s answer. I responded by saying: “Well, Mrs. Martin, when I heard Max’s answer, it reminded me of when I was in your class, and I told you that I wanted to be like every woman in my family, from my Gramma Jewel to my mommy, and you smiled and said to me, ‘Go for it, Dearie—you can achieve that very dream if you hold on and keep the faith!’”

 

Mrs. Martin smiled at me and said, “Yessiree, Bob—I know within my whole heart that you will make a darn good kindergarten teacher. I tell you what: Tomorrow’s class assignment will be a ‘dream theme,’ and I want you to teach the class tomorrow. As a matter of fact, I want you to spearhead the entire assignment.”

 

I simply looked at Mrs. Martin, shook her hand, and declared: “I accept that challenge!”

 

So, with that said, let me close up this evening’s blog post and do some brainstorming. I’ll holla at y’all tomorrow.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Lessons from the Little Ones

Hi, Everybody!

Do y’all remember my blog post from this past Tuesday, when I quoted the late great Art Linkletter? Well, I know this is only Day Eight of my internship at Carter Elementary, but lemme tell y’all something: These past couple days have been interesting ones. I am learning so much from these little children, and at the same time, they’re subliminally reminding me of once upon a time, when I was in their shoes some fifteen years ago.

Trust me when I tell y’all: These ain’t your ordinary typical kindergarteners—these are some precocious little somethings. They are also willing to learn, and in turn, they are willing to teach when given the opportunity. And if I may be so bold as to take a phrase form Mrs. Martin: “These little dearies are quick as a whip, too!”

Come to think of it, Mrs. Martin said the same thing about me back in the day… heck, she still says it!

Of all the things that I learned from these little ones thus far, I’ve learned that innocence is a virtue in and of itself. These little ones taught me that it’s okay to have fun and be a little silly. I admire that in them so much. Sometimes I look at these innocent little darlings and think to myself, Damn, I wish I could be a kindergartener again. I’m only twenty-one years old, but I’ve already experienced some of the rigors of being an adult. The little ones have absolutely no idea what goes on in the mind of a “grown-up,” nor should they. They don’t have to worry about jobs, bills, rent, heartbreak—their only concern is being a kid and having lots and lots of fun.

And if only for a moment or so, I had some fun with some of the kindergarteners! They asked me if I would join them in playing jump rope. Now, I want to point out that I haven’t jumped rope since I was in Eighth Grade, but I tell y’all—I jumped rope to my heart’s content.  It all came back to me at that very moment, and dare I say, I was damn good at it, too!

Thank you, Little Dearies—I cannot wait until tomorrow’s lesson.

 

 

Until next time, y’all have a gooden.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha