A friend recently told me, “Don’t take this wrong. But you’ve been around the block.”
Now, how could I take that wrong? I kind of sort of think I know what he meant. I’ve worked in public schools and for public schools for a long time. It’s been my block. My neighborhood.
My first job in a school was in 1973 when I graduated from high school. I was a lunch lady in a school cafeteria—hairnet, comfortable shoes, the works.
I didn’t know the kids’ names so I’d just make up nicknames. “Hey Superman, those peas give you muscles!” “Hey Cutie Poop, make me a milk moustache!” I was a fabulous lunch lady.
When they had an opening as a kindergarten aide, I got it, and I’d bring my guitar to school. My babies knew all the words by heart to the hit single, “” And we sang it with dignity. I was a fabulous teacher’s aide.