Today was a pretty cool day for multiple reasons. Reason 1.) I got to be at my grandson’s elementary school to see him recognized as the Star Student of the month for his Kindergarten class and, Reason 2.) I got to watch one of our class mates of 1981 do what was easy to see that she loves to do, teach.
As many of us are grandparents now, it is always very special to be a part of their daily lives’. I have been blessed with the assignment of picking up my grandkids from school several days of the week. It is an assignment that I never really got to enjoy with my own kids because… I was always working. So, this grandkid “pick-up” assignment I have been given, I cherish more than I can adequately put into words.
Each day, I dutifully guide my truck in the correct car line, a skill that I have mastered to perfection! However, when executed improperly, can easily become moderately violent. I’ve learned the hard way that, parents take extreme exception to being in the wrong lane, trying to turn the wrong way, or perhaps taking too long to load or off load the little nose mining, vessels of joy. When done correctly, the entire process is really a thing of beauty with symphony like perfection. When executed poorly, it can be a reenactment of the bay of pigs.
Each day, when the last bell rings, a teacher is assigned to walk a line of kiddies between the dual car line until each child finds their respective chariot ride home. It is at this time that I get to briefly say hello to Mrs. Bowen. A quick smile and genuine greeting are all we really have time for because, I am in “load mode” where I take on somewhat of an Arnold Schwarzenegger “terminator” personality until we are safely out of the chaotic combat zone called “the car line”.
Of course, Mrs. Bowen has no time for small talk either because, she is in “teacher protective command mode” and walks carrying the seriously heavy weight of being the one responsible for getting all the little noise makers safely handed off to their properly vetted loved ones.
Today, as a part of the awards ceremony, (did I mention my grandson received an award today) the school apparently has their own version of “the masked singer” but it is aptly called “the masked teacher”. Today, a teacher came out in an inflatable dinosaur costume and read a book out loud to all in attendance. The book was about dinosaurs and I must say, the delivery of the reading was flawless and most importantly, enthusiastic. She read each character in a different voice, she masterfully used her voice inflection to highlight the “cool” or the “fun” parts so well that even the parents and grandparents found themselves eagerly anticipating each new twist in the story and each turn of the page.
Once the “Masked Teacher” completed the reading, the students were asked to identify the teacher. What impressed me the most was that several hands shot up so quickly! The very first student that was selected to solve the riddle, loudly shouted, “Mrs. Bowen!”. The expedience in which she was discovered was clearly an indicator that she had resonated so well in the daily lives of her students that her voice, her personality, her enthusiasm and especially her love for the kids could not be masked by any costume.
I must admit that the accurate proclamation by the student didn’t register with me at first because, I really only know this teacher as Jennifer Patterson, a classmate of our 1981 graduating class.
To me, it was a rare privilege to see one of our classmates doing what she loves to do. I wish I had taken a picture of the reading, although I am sure that Jennifer is pleased that I did not. As the big reveal was made, what struck me the most was this; How often do we actually get the opportunity to see one of our own classmates making a difference in the lives of those that we love unconditionally. I was fortunate to have a front row seat to that very thing today and I am grateful I got that opportunity.
So here’s to you Mrs. Jennifer Patterson-Bowen, Thank you! Thank you for the work that you do to make sure our precious little ones grow up to become excellent grown ones.