Raising Tyler!

I have always waited for the muse. Sometimes, she lights on my head with great regularity- the first week of the new year she was visiting with great insistence. Since then, she has taken the Carlson Wagonlit charters anywhere but here.

Raising Tyler, you might think, is an interesting title.  It comes from a conversation I had with Tyler today about his pneumonia, school, and what he should do.  It made me think about how important and how blessed is the network of the lives of the people we touch.  Throughout the course of my time (ages though it seems),  I have been able to connect to the lives of so many young people whose lives I hope are richer for knowing me. Mine certainly is from knowing them.

I kind of think, sometimes at my age, you get permission to be a dad to whomever you want.  Tyler started in my classroom as an observer, then student teacher, and has grown to be a tenured teacher in my school.  Tony, this year's student,  followed some of that track.  I look at the things they have both done with a certain paternal pride, knowing full well they both have active dads in their lives.  Someday, I hope they get to know the joy those experiences bring.  Technology allowed me to keep up with these new teachers and stay connected.

I used to think the adage " it takes a village to raise a child" was corny and trite.  I don't believe that now.  Some much of my "family" is more than just the immediate sons I raised (and am extremely proud of) and my wife. I shared with you the story of two of the several student teachers with which I have shared my classroom.  I approach with great pride when my speech kids get up and stand before strangers opening themselves to criticism every weekend. WOW! That is amazing.  My coaching staff as well; they make me proud to see them give themselves to students.  They understand the buyback.

I know who is to blame for this great "tribal" father role.  Bob and Jay- sounds a lot like a comedy team and sometimes they are.  I learned that although grown, there is room in everyone's life for people to care about them. They did, they do, and hope they will continue to care about me in the way I care for those young staff  who work so hard.    You guys know who you are- constant working to make school a great place for kids of all backgrounds and abilities. People in this community I live in who work hard for kids, all kids to be the best they can be in spite sometimes of insurmountable odds.  

Oh yeah, one last truism- Father knows best!

Over and out.

Keith