A lifetime ago I earned a teaching certificate, knowing that I never wanted to teach.

Then why earn it? you ask.

Who the heck knows! But I did.

At the time, all I knew was that I didn’t know what I wanted to “be” when I grew up. But I did know that I was good at sports and loved language (hence the Bachelor of Science in education focusing on foreign language and physical education). (*)

Fast forward to 30-odd years later, and there’s Sj working as a permanent substitute teacher in the middle of a bunch of mask-wearing 6^th graders. (The official teacher chose to retire due to health reasons.)

In the midst of juggling those unexpected lesson plans — while treading water as fast as I could — I fell in love with those kids. As graduation time neared, and no one volunteered to edit their graduation video, I realized it had to be me. That official graduation video is not for public consumption. This short excerpt, however, is.

Enjoy!

I am from my 6th grade past,

      from Sponge-Bob attire and ti-leaf lei.

I am from rainbows up high and chickens down low.

      I am from Kaua‘i nei.

I am from both A Groups and B.

      from Do we come this Wednesday?

      and Which class is your fave?

I am from two teachers: one retired and one who stayed.

Both are with me always, in ways I can’t explain.

I am from Black Ships Before Troy and Walk Two Moons.

From playing my classmate’s mother and wearing another’s shoes.

I am from four-square and kickball and Do we have to go INS?

That wasn’t fifteen minutes! Can’t we start again?

I am from Math time! andgroans all around.

From Can you turn the a/c on?  And—the lights OFF as well?

I am from a body that’s changing and talks about b.o.

Remember Monkey Man Mayhem?

And rolling-on-the-floor with a drum?

I am from Kumu on Wednesdays and library who-knows-when.

It’s time, Ms. Sj! You forgot—again!

I am from the land of the Greeks: 

fun Olympics and marching in sheets!

I am a poet:

Haiku and Cinquain

Future Me and ABC

Kilauea School

I am from lying on damp grass with my friends,

      arms straight, bodies curled, feet toe-to-toe.

Be I in the land of Aloha or far from these shores,

My Vorpal sword is ever ready, my strengths at my core.

I am from

      my 6th grade past.

• • •

Can I go to the bathroom now?

      I hope you can!

Inspired by: George Ella Lyon

Written by: Sj Hylton LeHoven for her 6th grade class

May 21, 2021

(*) I can see now that I was already riding the Trust Train. I trusted that my teaching certificate would lead to something exciting . . . and it did. First, a job as a fitness director aboard a cruise ship, and then later a position as a permanent substitute teacher on the island of Kaua‘i — a job I never could have imagined enjoying.

(**) Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll