This week I substituted in a class at a local high school. It was my second time with this class. To be honest, these were the only two times I have substituted before. It was in a class with severely handicapped students – both physically and mentally. Two were in wheelchairs. These two could barely speak and another one did not at all. There were only four students in the entire class.

When I came back the second time, the other teachers (there being 3 there at all times, rotating in and out with others to prevent burnout) asked me if I felt any trepidation in returning. They were surprised, it seemed, when I answered that I did not. Other substitutes had been driven off – no doubt by the spitting, hitting, and throwing stuff. I don’t know if I could handle that class every school day, but occasionally it is alright. I feel a great deal of respect for the people that interact with these kids. Even the main teacher that has been AWOL for the past 2 weeks and doesn’t answer her phone.

These kids are not bad kids. They are just like little tykes trapped into adult bodies. They have taught me quite a bit over the last 2 times with them. Patience. I am not known for my patience, but it is required with them. Your anger has no meaning for them and thus little value. But they must be instructed in social norms as best as possible, so it interesting to work with them. Kindness. They have taught me that kindness is not just a verbal expression, but something that can transcend language. I need to do more of it, especially smile. I do not do it enough.

Why do these 2 lessons seem important to me? It may be because at the end of the day, they will not have one thousandths of the opportunities that I have had or will have. Sometimes I feel like a man with a target on his back, handing out free rocks for the public stoning. I have suffered through depression and had “woe is me” blabberings. Yet, nothing I go through will compare to them. Being with them has taught me that they deserve at least patience and kindness – even with the spitting, hitting and throwing stuff.

Hmm. It seems that it was I who was the student.