Teaching is no simple task
Teaching is harder than it looks. I know because I tried it Thursday morning at Capitol Hill Elementary School in south Oklahoma City.
Actually, I handed out some dry erase boards, read a book about clocks to kindergartners and then answered a few questions.
Mostly, I observed Betty Winters teach two dozen 5- and 6-year-olds seated at her feet how to tell time.
Winters did the heavy lifting. The fifth-year teacher is a nationally board-certified instructor who knows how to get your attention and keep it. Her lesson was thoughtful and creative and challenging.
Me? I encouraged the kids with a smile or a fist bump or a pat on the back for a job well done. Children need all the positive reinforcement they can get, which is not lost on Winters or Carson Cramer, Capitol Hill’s firstyear principal.
Both are upbeat. Both greeted students with smiles, hugs and words of encouragement.
“Good morning, friend!” “Glad you’re here today!” “How are you doing?”
The kids genuinely seemed glad I was there. They stood in line to shake my hand and tell me their names. One adorable little girl pointed out that she had blue eyes.
Two hours passed before Winters asked me to read to the class.
The highlight of my day. Or so I thought.
“When are you coming back?” one child asked after I finished.
“Soon,” I replied.
“Can you come back tomorrow?”
Now that felt good. So did a giant card signed by Kimberlee, Aiden, Jazmin, Rodolfo, Cataleya, Zoe, Luis, Estella and several others, including their teacher.
The message on the back may have been the strongest one Winters delivered all morning:
“A group is stronger when they work together for the betterment of the group and themselves.” Together Every one Achieves More