I had a chance to take part in something pretty fun and special at Andrew Jackson Elementary last week. The school asked me to sit on a committee with three other teachers and interview candidates for Student of the Year. The students were all fifth graders. The interview portion is just one part of the selection process. Grades, extracurricular activities and a writing sample also are factored in. But I’m pretty sure that the sit down with us was probably the toughest part for the kids. Not by our doing. We, of course, asked a handful of straightforward questions, using the same ones for all 40 kids, and tried to make it as light an atmosphere for them as possible, talking them through the process. Still, and understandably so, most were pretty nervous. They’re 10 years old, I could only imagine how I might have been at that age. I’m sure the same. We had a couple of hams who loved it and went on and on, but just a couple. They were definitely all very cute. Not being a dad yet, this was a very new kind of day for me. I’ve spent a lot of time at that school this year, and have been around the kids a lot, but never for seven hours straight (that’s how long it took to get through all 40 interviews) in one room and under those circumstances. A handful of them, maybe a third, brought up Katrina or something related to it. And some made mention of their living situation, if they’re still in a FEMA trailer or if they have some sort of unusual set up, like other family or friends staying with them out of need. These kids down here really are amazing, given all they’ve had to deal with, go through, soak in and adjust to. I was lucky, I got to talk to and listen to 40 of them in one day. It was special. Speaking of Andrew Jackson, they also invited me to the Faculty Christmas Party this past Saturday night. It was at the home of one of the teachers. I went, and it was nice to see all of them able to have fun and let loose a bit outside of the school environment. I’ve been observing them a good part of this year in pretty difficult, often stressful, crowded situations (AJ still has over 1,500 students), and it’s not easy, what they have to deal with. Seeing them all able to dance, karaoke, joke, laugh, play games (led by the principal, no less) and sing was enough to put a big smile on my face. They didn’t think I was having a good time, but I was.
The husband of one of the teacher’s couldn’t get enough talking to me after hearing what I’m doing. I hate bringing these kinds of things up, as it sounds like self-boasting, but I feel like I should simply because I want to point out how appreciative and grateful so many people here are. He must have thanked me 20 times and told me how it was because of the help of people like me that St. Bernard is coming back. There was one thing in particular he said to me that I will spare this space from, but I believe him, and I believe it all makes a difference. There was just something about being at a holiday party, with all that good spirit, and hearing some of those things that made it a really nice night. That, and seeing the teachers act silly like some of the very children they teach.
The more I read of and saw Brad Pitt and his Make It Right project last week, the more impressed I was. The guy just gets it. It’s one thing for a volunteer or someone who has been here awhile to feel and talk the way he has, but for someone with his life and schedule and distractions, to really get it the way he does, just blows me away. His presence and project here are nothing but a huge positive for this area. If you haven’t already, make it a point to visit www.makeitrightnola.org
