Even as we come into the home stretch of the Bridge program, I find myself still reveling in the many quirks of the kids. Every morning I hear some of the sixth graders playing Marco Polo in the room across the hall and clanks, from the metal puzzles Mr. Gummerson keeps at hand, as some of the other children try their luck at figuring the puzzles out.
If you venture into the fifth grade room, the sight of kids either already working hard on an imaginative paragraph, or socializing with someone from a different school, greets you. Everyday I learn something new. Only a few minutes ago I witnessed the creation of a sport born from cricket and wall-ball. I am also impressed by the focus and dedication of each
student as they still focus and participate in class as though it were the first day, not the twentieth.
As the youngest teaching assistant at St. Matthew's by a couple of years, I came into this program expecting the kids to instantly recognize my youth and therefore, not listen to me at all. However, I found out that my age would not be a problem. Earlier today, prior to the wall-ball and cricket creation, a small dispute broke out at the wall-ball wall, involving a few tears and one main problem: 'tagging' people in the head to get them out. Together, the kids and I talked the problem out and we came to the conclusion that the balls should not be purposefully thrown at anyone. Throughout the rest of the recess period, I looked over at the wall to make sure that the kids playing were honoring the decision we made (they were).
The kids may call me the 'baby T.A.' but they respect my judgment. In fact, the smaller age difference between the kids and I may work to my benefit because I was a camper at a place similar to Peninsula Bridge only a year ago, so I can relate to the minor issues that arise, such as at the wall-ball problem. I also remember how my favorite counselors acted, and I
now try to be as they were. That said, I am off to play a game of soccer with the students.