Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mr. Awesome



Last night the kids played school. "Penelope" came home from the first day of school with a take-home folder and a form for me to fill out about my child. It was hand written by her teacher, "Mr. Awesome." Mr. Awesome was, appropriately, an awesome teacher. He sent home daily progress reports on how Penelope did with her soccer lessons and her xylophone lessons. He helped her make a craft: a flower in a flower pot that he himself cut out and decorated. School with Mr. Awesome is what all parents wish school could be for their children: full of creativity and excitement and plenty of individual attention. He's a dream come true.

When bedtime came, Penelope knocked on the door where Mr. Awesome was showering. He let her brush her teeth, wash her face, and go potty while he was in the shower. They talked, during these activities, about how it was that they share a bathroom. Turns out, one lives next door to the bathroom and the other lives right across from the bathroom. Both teacher and student were excited by this discovery. Mr. Awesome read Penelope her bedtime story, and when there was a little time left on the timer, he read her another.

After Penelope had gone to bed, Mr. Awesome confided in me that the next day there would be a new student Penelope's class. He was up after hours coming up with lesson plans.

My book club arrived late, but even after we were all gathered, someone noticed that Adam's bedroom light was still on. Mr. Awesome was supposed to set his timer for fifteen more minutes and then turn out the light. Recently, Mr. Awesome has discovered Roald Dahl and has been unable to stop reading Fantastic Mr. Fox even when he should be turning out the light. Mr. Awesome heard me coming up the stairs, and his light went out just as I was almost level with his door.

On the way to the camp-out today, Mr. Awesome was very pokey about getting dressed because it's really rather difficult to put on shoes and a sweatshirt with an open book in one's hand. He asked, finally, if he could take James and the Giant Peach with him to the cub scout camp-out. I warned him that there probably wouldn't be much time for reading and then said, "Of course." I understand completely. My insides are celebrating. Awesome.

No comments:

Post a Comment