Who knew teaching was the least of my worries when I came here to teach? Teaching is tough alright but it’s the baggage that comes with teaching that is the problem. Well, there’s the other teachers and all the politics, there’s the parents (OH GOSH), and then there are kids growing up and growing astray. And when all of those factors add up, you just sit there thinking where did I go wrong? Today, I got a complaint from a parent, slack from some teachers and misbehaving kids.
The teachers I can handle. Some parents are a bit of a pain. They expect teachers to raise their kids for them. And getting a parent to understand where you’re coming from can be almost as hard as getting their little kid to understand brain surgery… in English. But then, when the kids themselves act up, you realize you’re so much more responsible for their education but also for the kind of person they turn out in the future. And that’s weighty. At 22, I’m not ready to be a mother. Not especially for 25 roudy kids!
But the thing that gets me by and gets me high is watching young love blossom. Ahhh… the blissful trappings of innocence. While some boys his age are starting to get into things like fighting, boobs, and other grimy things 8 year old boys get up to, Marcus is sweet, polite, still playful but listens well and tries hard to do what he’s told and learn from mistakes. When no one in the whole school volunteers to pray during devotions, Marcus steps up. But not before he looks around to make sure no one else has volunteered. At 8, Marcus has mastered the art of being a man. He is a bundle of a tanned brown boy with long lashes and a sweet voice. And Marcus is in love.
Well, maybe not love. But over-dramatization of young affection gives me something to smile about. My version of a soap opera while working with kids all day. Marcus likes Srey Leak. I like Srey Leak. She is the janitor’s daughter. Very sweet, very smart. Good choice, Marcus!
Ok ok, Rewind! How did I find out that Marcus likes Srey Leak? During Grade 2 English, I made the kids draw each other and they could pick their partner themselves. Marcus who sat all the way at the back called dibs on Srey Leak almost as quickly as I could finish my sentence. Not very scandalous.. but the next bit is sweet.
Marcus drew a very nice picture of Srey Leak. In pink with a giant heart shape on her dress. And then I gave them more time to draw after they were done. The kids could get more paper from me.
Marcus grabbed a sheet and earnestly asked: “How about Srey Leak? Can I get one for Srey Leak?”
“Yes, you may”. How could I deny young love?
He draws Srey Leak. Twice. One on the front of the page, one on the back. And then runs to the front of the class to put it on her desk.
But what warms my heart is to see that boys are not as fickle as perhaps previously thought (I am quite cynical you see). The next day was no different. Marcus again asks for more paper to draw a picture for Srey Leak. I relent. So Marcus got a special sheet. Not playing favourites here but I just cannot stand in the way of this boy’s endeavour. That would just be cruel. This time, he draws Srey Leak and himself next to a car. Hmm... looks like a date of some sort I’m thinking.
Turns out too that Marcus and Srey Leak get seated together in class today because new students arrive and seating arrangement gets shuffled. I wonder if the other teachers know. So now I look at them and I smile to myself seeing them interact. Marcus all chivalrous. A student in front of them stole Srey Leak’s eraser. Srey Leak is too sweet to get mad but Marcus calls out for me, the Teacher, and supposed superhero in this scene. But I come too late. Marcus has snatched the eraser back from the clutches of destruction and handed it back to the damsel-not-so-in-distress. The day is saved by Marcus.
It’s day 3 of the saga now and Marcus runs and plays with the boys like no tomorrow, gets his shirt muddied and his shoes wet but comes back to class and is as sweet as a pumpkin with Srey Leak. Haha.. this gives me hope about boys. I am not one to get into silly romantic fancies but kids don’t cover anything up. They mean what they say and do. And their affection is so pure and innocent.
I am excited to see Marcus grow up. I am also excited to see what impact he has on his parents and this world.
very cute :) give him a high five for me.
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