[ncte-talk] parents and God Bless America

["Jennifer Alex" <fuzzis@hotmail.com>]

I have not said anything about the tragedies we've witnessed in the last 
several days because I truly don't know what to say.  I teach seventh and 
eighth graders, and on Tuesday I was reminded of just exactly how young they 
are.  It was difficult to watch them lose their innocence, and it was 
difficult to offer them comfort.  I realized at that moment that I'm 
extraordinarily glad that I am not a parent.  I don't know how parents do 
it, reassuring their children, taking care of them, keeping them safe.  I 
don't mean in situations like this, but in every day instances.  Hats off to 
the parents on this list; I thought teaching was a tough job, but I know I'd 
rather teach anyday than be a parent and face all that parents have to face.

We had our open house last night at school.  About an hour before everything 
geared up, my principal came to me and asked me if I would sing "God Bless 
America" during the opening remarks.  He came to me with tears on his 
cheeks, telling me that he felt it would bring comfort to faculty, parents, 
and students who had not heard my voice in the last week (I can normally be 
found singing on duty, in my classroom, and in the halls), and I found I 
could not refuse him.  There was something stirring in seeing 1,000 people 
come to their feet and mouth the words as I sang.  I couldn't help but 
think, though, that it is heartbreaking that something like this has to 
happen to bring all of us together, and I wonder what kind of lesson there 
is to teach my students in our reaction.

Jen