I recently read that writers should attempt to figure out the best part of their day and describe it. So that’s what I’m going to try to do here. Lucky for me, since my days are basically the same except on weekends, my favorite part of the day always stays the same too.
It’s after lunch. After I have already spent two hours in Kindergarten, planned for the next day, and helped with the “Daily 5” in 1st grade. After I’m already tired and ready to go home, but then I remember what’s coming up and get my second wind. After lunch, I go to the second grade classroom and tap on a student’s back, leading them to the library to start literacy work.
Along with being the Kindergarten teacher, I am also a resource teacher for 1st and 2nd grade, specializing in literacy. Because our school in its first year, there are a number of students, especially from the orphanage, who should be able to read but have not been given the opportunity to learn. One’s name is Marleen. A 10-year-old with an irascible laugh, fiery personality, and quick wit, she only possesses a kindergarten reading level.
So each day, we go over the alphabet, phonics, sight words, and reading skills. It’s a patchy job, meant to cover years of educational neglect, and each day, reading is equally as hard. But I have seen progress. I have seen Marleen go from a girl terrified and frustrated by reading to one who is still struggling but excited to struggle. She is excited to sound out words and can even read a few books by herself.
It is hard. Learning to read at such a late age means that she is at risk of reading difficulties that, while not insuperable, will make her reading and her education difficult for a long time. But to be able to help, to be able to see her and other students like her grow, it is by far the best part of my day. I feel so lucky that I can play a small part in their struggle, hoping that I can at least give them the confidence to keep going and keep learning.
