October 13, 2010

Trust

Written by: Carolyn Crosby, CITC Reading Teacher, Susitna Elementary School

(The names and Native Group have been changed or eliminated to respect the privacy of the individual in this story).

I heard the noise in the hallway as Jay came charging into our CITC Learning Center. He threw his coat on the floor, stomped his feet on his way across the room, and slammed himself into a chair screaming, “I hate that teacher; I’m never going back to that classroom again; I want to stay here forever!

There was more stomping with disturbing sounds, hitting the table and grumbling while I cautiously observed from the other side of the room – the only person with him.

Jay and I had a long history – I met him as a third grader who loved coming to CITC from the beginning! He was a sweet, compliant child who spent his younger years in a small village. His Mother and Papa were frustrated because Jay was falling behind in school, but his absences were keeping him from being referred for Special assistance.

Though very far behind his classmates, Jay loved to read and looked forward to reading all manner of word lists, playing learning games, and having me read to him. By the end of third grade he qualified for Special Education assistance and he thrived during this extra “special” time with people he trusted.

In fourth grade, Jay’s life fell apart. Three cherished relatives passed away in close succession and he spent the beginning of quite a few days in our room sobbing uncontrollably. When he wanted a hug for comfort, he hovered over me as a very tall, lanky boy – dwarfing me!

Fourth grade was also when he was not treated with respect by his classroom teacher. He retreated to our room more frequently and his attitude would change as he walked through the door. His trust was in the “arms” of our CITC staff.

Jay’s “blow-up” was in fifth grade – Jay was intelligent with processing problems; he knew what he didn’t know, and was frustrated by the time spent in his homeroom. The second week of school is when the big incident occurred and he continued to escalate over the next few weeks.

We resolved some of his issues with collaboration between the classroom teacher and the principal. When Jay felt he was going to “lose it,” he would ask to come to CITC and he usually just sat and defused himself. He would let us know when he was ready to talk, then we would send him back to his classroom with a smile when the crisis was over.

After Christmas, Jay went back to his village because he felt he no longer had friends and he needed to get away.

In sixth grade, Jay returned as if he were a different child. His family had gotten medical attention for him and he came back from Middle School to visit us often. He would always leave with a hug saying “This is my safe place – sometimes you are the only friends I trust.”

His People assisted him with getting the assistance he needed; Jay’s family worked in Partnership with the school; and, Jay is now realizing the Potential he has after many false starts.

This is my story of the way it happened to me when one student learned to Trust because of help and support from his family and his school.