I am back in the school system subbing here and there. Yesterday, I played librarian again and my love of this specific position was sealed. As I navigate my way through the education field, I'll keep an eye out for media positions in particular.
My day was filled with reading stories to elementary-aged students, helping them choose a "just right" book, and the usual teacherly duties: lots of reminding about "library voices, please;" "6-inch voices (where did they come up with that one?);" and "walking feet." (Every year there are new student management phrases).
But it's what the students say to me that fills my head after a day working with them. Seldom do I pass a day with students without something that sparks either emotion, thought, or both.
Yesterday, I noticed a little boy who couldn't seem to find a book he wanted to check out from the library. Each one he previewed wasn't quite right. After a bit, I realized what he really desired was my attention. I noticed that he was quite serious----obviously something was on his mind. I thought perhaps he was having a bad day.
At the very end of his class's library time, I finally located a book he wanted. Unfortunately, when I tried processing his book for him, we found that he had an overdue book on his account (students cannot check out books if they have an overdue book). He was immediately sad and looked to be on the verge of tears. I began reassuring him and he looked at me very seriously and told me: "My parents are getting..... what's the word?... di--versed (his pronunciation) and the book is at my Dad's house and I don't know when I'll go there again..."
Well, you can only imagine how sad this made me feel for a number of reasons. I felt so sorry for this little boy. I thought about the little details that get lost between two households---little details that are huge for children. I wondered how many times my own children have told their teachers this same kind of story (I know of at least one time, with tears involved).
Later that day, I wondered if part of the reason for my experiencing a bit of this little boy's life was to remind me to pay closer attention to the details with my own kids. To understand how difficult it is for my kids to shuffle back and forth between parents and to find methods to make it easier and more stable for them.
After that little boy told me his story about his parents, I gently reassured him that the regular librarian would probably wave his overdue book because of his situation. We set aside his book in the "hold" pile for the next day.
My hope is that he got his book today...
