In the spring, I asked GK, a student I often call one of my
favorite knuckleheads, to step outside the class and chat with me. He had just
entered so he thought something was amiss. I assured him it was okay, and we
stepped into the hallway, where I began with, “You know, you’re a really smart
kid—“ and then several things happened at once. His eyes got wide, he said,
“Nah, nah, nah,” grinned sheepishly and reached to pull the classroom door
closed.
Really?
But such is the way of GK, then a junior who, depending on
the day, would either go to great lengths to purport gang affiliation, arrive
on time for first period, arrive stoned and on time for second period, stay
after school and work diligently, or be a complete pain in the neck. After a
college visit a few months before our hallway chat, he practically ran away
after confessing he was interested in possibly getting his bachelors and
masters all in one shot. Then, at the end of year barbeque in June, he couldn’t
stop grinning from beneath the Party City crown that came with a PTA award for
the student who showed significant progress. He told me then he understood that
we (for there are many who adore this knucklehead) see him and are stumping for his success, and even said he’d accept
daily harassment I promised to give him all throughout next school year,
because graduation is a thing.
And then he went to summer school and somehow didn’t pick up
enough credits to put him in the running for the 44 he’d need to graduate next
June. Upon hearing this, I lost all sense of warm and fuzzy. Heaven help that
child when I see him the week after next. Seriously.
GK, like many kids, is a gem in the making. For that reason,
part of me wants to volunteer to work with him in an independent study
arrangement and push him to June graduation, but yet another wants to just
thrash him. No matter how many years I do this, I doubt I’ll ever be able to
will a student to want their next step, and this youngster is no different. GK
will find his way, likely making more than a few more unnecessary detours, but
perhaps that’s the path that will resonate most with him. So maybe unnecessary
is subjective; after all, what good is college entry for a student who isn’t
ready? Should I pick a seat farther back in his cheering section? Should I leave
for a while? What if silence speaks most clearly to him?
In deference to GK’s long-term goals, I will continue to
mull these questions and adjust my thinking as needed. In terms of short-term
goals, I’m prepping a mighty earful for him. Whether he is ready or not for that remains to be seen.
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