What I Love About My Big School In Our Small Town

            As a high school English teacher with a class full of students first period, it is rare for me to find myself outside of my classroom when the morning bell rings; however, this morning, I enjoyed one such eye-opening occasion. I had gathered my belongings and was headed to the library for a fun-filled day of proctoring tests (insert eye roll here), when the intercom came on.  Every morning, Mrs. V, one of our attendance secretaries, recites the pledge and calls for a moment of silence.   This particular morning, I was caught in the hallway with a few teachers (who no doubt have first period planning, the American Dream of planning periods) and a number of obviously tardy students scattered up and down a very long hallway.  All the kids had that “man on a mission” look about themselves and were quickly trying to get to class.  Then, Ms. V came on the intercom like always, and to my surprise (although I’m not sure why), every single one of the kids stopped dead in his tracks, put his hand over his heart, and said the pledge.  Then, even though I’m sure they felt the urgency to get to the class for which they were already late, they did not even budge for the moment of silence, until Ms. V announced it was over. This may not seem like a big deal, because the kids were just doing what they were supposed to be doing, but something about it struck a chord with me. 

            I have been teaching at the same school for 14 years now, but sometimes I take for granted just how great our kids are.  Yes, we are a big school, with approximately 2,000 students, but our school is not like others in our district, even though we’re the same size.  I have taught at another school in our county and visited all the others, and I swear I am not just being biased when I tell you that our school has the friendliest, most polite student body I’ve ever been around.  When I first came to CHS as a 23-year-old, doe-eyed rookie, I was shocked even then at how considerate and friendly the students were.  And I know what you’re probably thinking, “Of course they were nice to you…you were nearly their age,” but to this day, if a kid goes in a door and sees me coming, he/she always holds the door open for me.  And I don’t get special treatment just because I’m a teacher.  I see our kids holding the doors for each other all the time, despite the pressures of getting to class on time or keeping up with their friends. And I am always so full of pride every time I see a student struggling in the hallway, because there is always another student (or three!) to come to his aid without my even having to say or do anything.  Just kids helping other kids.  The funny thing is, I probably would have always taken our students for granted had it not been for the compliments from so many of those who are on the outside looking in. They say things like, “One of your boys helped me get all of my workshop materials in because he could tell I was struggling. That would not have happened elsewhere” or “I couldn’t find the room, so one of your kids offered to walk me here. It was so nice.” Hearing things like this from people who do not have to say such things is always nice and makes me even more proud to be a CHS Bulldog.  Because at the end of the day, even if we are not always first in academics or athletics, we always seem to be first in something much more important, and that’s character.