Sometimes, you may wonder if our educators are doing a good job. Are they really dedicated to the task of teaching keiki? Do they have the very best of their students in their hearts? Are they helping youth understand the important of respect? Do the students seem to love coming to class?
From my recent experience as a volunteer with Junior Achievement at Kapaa Elementary School, the answer to all those questions is, absolutely. Positively.
I led a five-week JA program with Brittney Bostaph’s kindergarten class. In a nutshell, you talk to the kids about money. What do we use it for, how do we earn it, and the importance of spending wisely and saving money. We talked about needs versus wants and making smart choices with money. We went over that we can spend money for services, like a haircut, and we explained that we do jobs, like mowing lawns, to earn money. We talked about how we need money to pay for a place to live, a car to drive and food to eat. Nothing too complicated. We read stories, filled out workbooks, colored pictures and filled out puzzles.
Going into this class, I had led JA classes twice at the high school level. I didn’t know what to expect from kindergartners. Would the kids listen? Would they cry? Would they run away?
Turned out, I had nothing to worry about. These kids, 18 of them, were wonderful. They were excited. They were respectful. They wanted to learn. Whenever I asked a question, nearly every hand in the room shot up, each was ready and anxious to answer. They all loved to tell their stories. Not just about money, but about their families, their trips, their pets, their trips to the store. They were full of smiles and laughter and delight. We should have a class where adults listen to little kids talk story. Just let them do the talking. You can only come away feeling light and hopeful.
Brittney Bostaph is a terrific teacher. She engages with the students and they respond. It was clear to me these kids loved and respected their teacher. They listened. They raised their hands. They followed directions. They weren’t perfect, but they certainly tried hard. If all teachers are like her, this island’s youth are blessed.
At the end of each 45-minute JA session, I always left feeling better than when I came. These kids were filled with curiosity and joy, which comes with being young and innocent.
While each class was just flat out fun, something I looked forward to, it was my final few minutes on the final day with them that something happened that I will always treasure.
After I had presented each student with $1 and a small savings bank, I praised them for being such good listeners, such polite students, and thanked them for letting me coming into their classroom. As I prepared to leave, Brittney told the students they could say thank you and say good-bye. They did more than that. They surrounded me near the doorway and gave me hugs and high fives. It was one of those moments I felt like the luckiest person in the world. “Thank you, Mr. Bill,” they said. I got down on my knees and returned the hugs and high fives. I didn’t expect this. It was one of those wonderful, surprises that makes life better and keeps you pushing ahead with confidence.
I stood, gave them a final wave and again said good-bye. As I walked away, grinning, I thought to myself, “What a great class. What a great bunch of kids.” I left happy, looking forward to the rest of the day.
And that’s something money just can’t buy.
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Bill Buley is editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He can be reached at bbuley@thegardenisland.com
