Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

44 - Just Friends

44

Just Friends

Monday, April 17

Kevin woke up thinking. Reality check.

Friends. We're just friends. Angela is an important colleague, helpful, supportive, and we have lots of things in common. But she's married. Hey, so am I. Got to move on and appreciate our relationship for what it is. Best buds, confidants, but no more than that. Nothing else is possible.

It was a little cool as he walked to his car, but as the sun rose it would become warm today. He liked the heat. It was part of what made him a good tennis player in Southern California. He embraced such weather. Instead of wilting, he could power through it. Kevin hoped that his attitude would help his teams at lunchtime. Perspiration was no big deal. His kids could learn to overcome the challenges of climate, just as he did.

*****

Before school, Kevin had measured off an oval track, with cones representing marks where they would pass the baton. P.E. gave each kid enough practice on individual track and field events. But the relays would be the last races in Saturday's meet, and effective practice on the passes would be critical to how successful each team of four would be.

Again he began with the older kids, giving them all an overview of how each race would proceed, then having them make passes while walking, then jogging. He watched as the older ones guided the younger teams through the same steps. Then Kevin explained how the track would have lanes, with an area for passing the stick.

"Don't run fast till you have the baton in your hands. I know you'll be anxious to get going, but it's tough for the tired runner before you to place the stick properly, and if you leave early the moving target gets harder to hit. The last thing you want to do is lose the baton. The other teams will pass you. Any questions?"

Graciela asked, "What do we do if it falls to the ground?"

"The next runner picks it up, not the one who just ran. So if you drop it, get out of the way. But we're gonna try to be the team that never loses a baton. Concentrate and you'll be fine."

Kevin sent them to the four spots around the oval. He was going to have the older girls practice first. He would not race them against the boys yet. They would be so worried about winning that they would not focus on the baton pass the way he wanted. One thing at a time. All three other teams went to their designated locations too, so they could watch and learn.

"Sonya, what are you thinking about before I start the race?"

She smiled, knowing this question was more a reminder for the little ones who stood near her. "Bend my knees and guess when you'll begin, so I leave exactly when you say go, instead of starting after you say it."

"Perfect." Then loudly, with a predictable rhythm, as if he were the official during the track meet, "Runners take your mark, get set, go!"

Sonya timed it just right and took off. The third and fourth graders were jumping up and down, excited for their turn to begin. Kevin ran in a straight line, cutting the corner to where Erin waited. He was fast and Sonya had farther to run around the curve, "Wait," he told Erin. When he saw her receive the baton cleanly, he took off, doing the same with Valerie on the backstretch and Graciela at the last corner. They looked good. "Okay, walk back to your positions, so you can counsel the third and fourth graders."

Next Kevin tested the older boys. Little Joe started quickly. Kevin watched his short strides and knew that many other teams' first racers would outrun Joe, but no one would try harder. Jose, Alfonso, and Thang all completed their baton transfers ably, then returned to their spots to help the other kids.