Teacher Wired

Last week Julia and I went to my classroom to get some work done. I have moved again this year. This is nothing new to me. I move often. My new room number this year is 36. For some reason, I had it in my head that this is the same classroom that my neighbor, Jan, had taught in for more than twenty years. My neighbor, now retired, was a legend in the district. The places she could take a first grade mind were remarkable. I doubt a child who passed through door wouldn't name her as their favorite teacher of all time. I was lucky enough to student teach in the building where she taught. Her classroom was enchanting, really.  I admired her. When I got my first job in the district teaching first grade, I went directly to her to pick her brain. She sat with me and wrote things out for me; she helped me get started. I was delighted years later to find that we had moved in next door to her. She and Julia have a unique and profoundly special relationship. Jan's sons have yet to give her grandchildren. Julia has filled that need in her. In turn she has been a doting grandmother type to Julia. They share a love of books and adventure. A holiday or special occasion does not pass without a visit from Jan, hands loaded with gifts. She is fun, clever,  and an absolute delight. She is still teaching, whether it is something that she and Julia are doing, or she is giving me a fantastic idea to take back to my classroom, or she is sharing a story about one of her extensive travel adventures. She is teacher wired. So naturally I am thrilled at the idea of being in her room. There surely has to be an abundance of good karma stored in this room. Later that day she and I are talking over the fence and I say, "So Jan, I am in room 36," thinking this will elicit a fun response from her. Instead she is trying to figure out exactly where I am. "Okay, so you're on the courtyard side." He voice trails off. "Wait," I said, "Wasn't 36 your old room?" "No, I was room 34, one quarter, one nickel, and four pennies."

Always teaching. Love that.