Learn Me Good

by John Pearson

  After the awards ceremony, many of the kids went home with their parents. When the dust cleared, I only had about seven kids with me and about fifteen minutes to kill before P.E. So I sat in the recliner and had them gather around me while I read The Grapes of Math, a riddle/puzzle book. It was a fun way to spend our last little bit of time together.

  At last, the clock struck 3, the final bus took off, and the year was truly at an end. Teachers were waving, clapping, dancing, and shooting off pistols into the air. I think I even saw someone hold up a sign that read “John 3:16.”

  Well, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal, this is my last email to you in the ’03-’04 school year. Don’t worry, I’ll still be pestering you with email, but I most likely won’t have such high quality stories for you. You’ll have to wait a few months until I see the next batch of rug rats. Can next year possibly top this year? I can’t see how, but I can tell you one thing. This has been a very fulfilling year. I think I’m gonna stick with this teaching thing for a while, after all. At least until that Sports Illustrated swimsuit photographer position becomes available.

  For now, I’m going to be enjoying the three best things about being a teacher — June, July, and August!

  The bell has rung; class dismissed.

  Later, mi amigo,

  Mr. Woodson — 3rd grade math teacher