As a teacher, you build connections with the students in your class. Sometimes you are very protective of them and resent other staff members who just do not get them. They do not have that connection. I have had students tell me that they wish I was their mom. There have also been students who would have preferred to be in the “ fun class” down the hall. However, some of these students would come back to tell me how they enjoyed this or that. We are generally only a passing thought in most of their lives, and it is hoped that their memories are positive.
When I was in my third year of teaching, I had a grade 1 and 2 class which was packed to the max. There were a total of 33 students in the class. The principal advocated on my behalf to get additional support but the superintendent said, “ Oh, she, meaning me, can handle it.” I did try my best, but eventually the school board realized that I needed an Educational Assistant. What I was not aware of was the fact that I had a little girl in my class who was living in a highly toxic environment. She was waive like, quiet and shy. She had a brother in grade 5 and a sister in grade 3.
Angel
We have started our school day with the usual routines, attendance, Oh Canada and morning greetings. The class is working at different activity centres, when Angel arrives at the classroom door. She is holding her brother’s hand and seems attached to him. I greet them and he quickly waves to travel down the hallway to his classroom. Angel comes in and plays quietly with her close friends. I haven’t noticed that she is not herself today. She is not feeling good and she is very tired. We then move to the carpet, during which time Angel falls asleep. Francis, and I decide that we should just let her sleep and we ask the other children to just let her rest. The day continues as usual. During recess the principal asks to see me and tells me that Children’s Aid will be coming to pick up Angel and her siblings. The principal tells me that the older brother never went to class and reported to the principal what had happened at their house. The three kids had been through a scary evening as their dad had consumed too much alcohol and was hitting their mom. Angel’s brother had tried to fight off his father, but his mom told him to run. They went to a 24 hours McDonalds and sat there until it was time to go to school. I’m kind of surprised that the staff in McDonald’s didn’t ask them why they were not at home. Maybe they did and the brother had a good answer. Angel was exhausted and scared. Her sister was trying to be brave and her brother was protecting all three of them. As I reflect on the situation, I am odds with the fact that I did not see that something wasn’t right. Why did I miss it?
The Children’s Aid Society arrived, talked with the principal, called a family member and Angel and her siblings left the school. At 12:30 Angel, her sister and her brother left, and they never returned. I was shocked and had to muster up a story to let the kids in the class know that she said goodbye. We didn’t even have time to make a card.
Recipes from the Classroom 