My elementary school is enormous. The building was designed to nestle into the side of a rolling hill, so common to the landscape of Omaha. With five levels, it is impossible to avoid getting from one location of the building to another without ascending or descending one of the imposing, cold, gray, concrete open stairwells.
I would venture to assume the building's architects had never worked with children. Had they experienced firsthand, the fine art of guiding twenty-plus 5 year old students, lined up singled-filed (or something remotely similar) safely and swiftly up a flight of 20 stairs with open railings on all sides, they would have discarded the blueprints and returned to their proverbial drawing board.
To compound the structural impediment, one also must factor in the curious nature of young children. Even the most docile or timid kindergartner channels their inner acrobat as they approach the infrastructure. Simply ascending one foot before the other is a "learned" behavior for these little people. Their lower man is set upon finding the riskiest maneuver to climb the stairs with more than a few, aimed at breaking the current school record and creating an as of yet unknown-to-mankind, ridiculously dangerous pattern of ascent.
To further complicate this endeavor is to factor in the defiant, obstinate, emotionally wounded child who sprinkles the day with their random displays of immobility and or rage.
Friday, my dear friend chose to exercise her will on the 5th step as we headed upstairs to the lunch room. Prepared for combat, I already had her hand in mine, so when the collapse occurred I was able to save the children directly behind her from taking a fall backwards.
"Up on your feet, Genoa, you're our leader today," was my cheery redirection.
To this she kicked off one of her shoes. As the rest of the class attempted to press in on the developing situation, I was able to call on the carpet over the open railing, the three kiddos on the lower level to my right spinning the "Welcome" sign and remind the pressing throng behind me to
"Be safe and stay in your bubble space,"
followed by leading out in a softly sung, quick musical chorus of,
"Body basics, body basics on the stairs, on the stairs, one hand is on the railing, our eyes are to the front, walking safe, walking safe..."
As I attempted a gentle upward pull of the child's arm, it was apparent this was going to be an all-out melt down if I allowed myself to be emotionally phased.
With a second class arriving at our heels, I calmly directed the rest of my class to
"Carefully walk around Genoa, she has chosen not to be our leader,"
Employing the educator's safety lift, I lifted my plumpest kindergarten friend to my chest in a single clean jerk, and with as much grace and joy as The Holy Spirit provided for the moment, whisked her 60 pounds up the remaining 15 steps, my high-heels clicking and landed her with care in the threshold of the cafeteria, pronouncing happily,
"There you go, stay in ABC order class!"
I whisked past her, hoping she would follow...
She did and I sighed as I continued to lead the children through the ridiculous long list of lunch "choices" that were available for their dining pleasure...
Later as I recalled the event to my husband I felt proud that I was able to respond to this hurting girl without destroying her dignity nor mine as we avoided an emotional catastrophe. As Genoa was set upon being 'unmoved" by the wrong reasons, I was set upon being "unmoved" for more noble reasons. It is all in a days work to remain steadfast and stoic in the face of great adversity....why is it so hard to retain this emotional disposition when the adversity meets us at other junctures?
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
~Tami
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