My Heart Looks Like a Schoolhouse

Published by Michelle Estes
Published in Missouri Teachers Write Literary Magazine,2007, page 96
MATE is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

My Heart Looks Like a Schoolhouse

When my grandson asked me what my heart looked like, I was stymied for a minute.  Teachers are never without words for very long, however.  Here is what I told him:  If you could see my heart, you would see a schoolhouse.  Come inside and look around.

That's Brad hanging out the window.  He's a handful.  His parents divorced and he's been left to raise himself.  Even thought we clash everyday, Brad knows I love him.  I tell him often because he needs it.

Abigail's holding the door open for us.  She had terrible attendance for grades nine through eleven.  Last year as a senior, she came into my writing class and a fire caught hold in her heart.  She's a writer now, rarely misses a day, and will graduate soon.  Writing gives her stature in our school.

That's Brandon reading in the corner.  He's just an old country boy who showed up in novels class and announced that I couldn't make him read!  I sure didn't get him reading, but Hank the Cowdog did it.  Brandon's a reader now, full time.  He regularly asks the librarian to order books for him that are not in the library.

And, there's Hope up there writing on my board.  I can't keep that kid off my board.  I'm always telling her quite sternly that I don't want my board written on.  Everyday, I find she's left me a note that is always the same:  I love you, Mrs. E.

That's Mrs. Smith up at my desk.  We visited last week and was she ever mad at me because her son was failing.  She screamed, cried, hollered, and called me a few names. That was alright.  I understood and felt her pain.  I helped her with a plan to undergird Oren at home.  I gave her a hug when she left and told her we could do anything together.  Today, she's brought me flowers.

Oh, there's Liza sharpening her pencil.  We stay on Tuesday afternoon to work together on different kinds of projects.  Liza just needs extra attention.

It may sound like my students need me, but truth be told, I am the one who needs them.  Together we make an awesome team.  And, that is why my heart resides in the schoolhouse.