TERRE HAUTE — It’s awfully tough to be a teacher right now. I don’t just mean in these difficult times as unexplainable horrors become commonplace in the daily news. I mean right now: early May, when the dandelion cotton, caught up in southern breezes, floats across our yards, and every classroom-confined kid and teacher wears basset hound faces as they stare out the windows at the sunshine.
I skipped kindergarten myself — I don’t think it was invented yet — and started in first grade at age 5. That means I’ve been walking into classrooms of one kind or another for more than 45 years. You’d think that I’d be tired of it by now, but I’m not. I guess I have red ink running in my veins.
I fashion myself to be some sort of a writer, too, and apparently Susie Runyon thinks so as well, because for the second time in the past three years I was invited into her classroom at Montezuma Elementary last month to talk about two of my favorite things: writing and reading. I enjoy these visits; instead of facing the sullen indifference of many of my high-schoolers, it’s refreshing to see so many hands in the air at once.
As I waited for my audience to come in from the organized chaos otherwise known in schools as lunch period, I wandered around Susie’s room and snooped a little. I inspected the artwork on the walls, the clutter of the kids’ low-riding desks, the bits and pieces of the attic-like space they live in for most of their day. Many of them had scribbled questions for me on little clipboards, apparently expecting terrible lulls in the conversation, and at the top of their lists seemed to be questions concerning my age.
I beat them to the punch; “How old do you think I am?” I asked as they had barely settled their bottoms in their chairs. Hands shot up as if I had asked who wanted to leave for summer vacation a month early.
Several responses were pretty close, but Elizabeth Everts — a member of Karen Hughett’s class who had joined the party, too — said, “Well, you look like you’re about the same age as my dad, so I’d say you’re 60.” I decided right then that it would be better if I just answered their questions.
I quickly discovered that this crew has been brainwashed in a most positive way. These kids love to read and tell stories and write books. They’re excited about their educations, about their imaginations and dreams. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on me, comforted me like the new school year smell of paste and crayons and fat, pink erasers.
Well over an hour later — which included an autograph session that I have to admit flattered me beyond insufferableness — I headed back to my own classroom recharged, ready and willing to report for duty. But the real gold arrived a few days later. Susie’s class had written letters to me; they are treasure in No. 2 pencil.
Piers Brennand, who made a point of telling me that he reads BIG books and has poor handwriting (like me), has written three tomes himself. He also included a rendering of a mace-swinging, six-armed warrior. How did he know I had similar artistic leanings when I was in fourth grade?
Megan Smith, a budding philosopher if I’ve ever known one, included a great acrostic poem using my name; Hunter Falls wanted me to know that his favorite bugs are spiders, and he’s also writing a book about his dog, Skittles. I was very impressed with Kallie Helton’s book, “Tiger Jumping,” which she had paperclipped to her letter. Kallie said that I had taught her that even good writers “have trouble writing what they think,” and her eloquent poem included this line about those struggles: “You have to tame it one word at a time,” she wrote. That’s great writing, Kallie.
Amber Shaw and Kishi Rash both seemed to be in a hurry; they promised to write more to me later. Megan Moore told me she aspires to be a vet, and Ashlyn Scott, who asked me what I thought of “the flow of her letter,” wisely quoted writer Lucy Caulkins: “A good reader is a good writer, and a good writer is a good reader.” By the way Ashlyn, your letter flowed like a country brook.
Cody Bousman, my “pal,” wanted to know what book I’m currently reading. Well, Cody, I’m reading one about the great pirate Henry Morgan, and another about traveling across Australia — two is better than one you know. Michael Patton, referring to a story I wrote last month, wanted to know just how I got my brother’s watch apart. He also informed me that he has read 424 books and that the sun has 28 times the gravity of earth. Matthew Babyak must be on the same page with Michael — he thinks the planets are “cool.”
Brogan Thomas tells me that he is penning a rather deep-sounding piece called “When Good Gets Sick of Evil”; my friend Whitney Branson tells me she wants to be a dolphin trainer and an artist; and Tanner Gilbert, well Tanner told me quite a bit in a four-page letter. He wanted to know what the best piece of writing I had ever done was. I haven’t written it yet, Tanner.
The last letter I opened came from Jeannie Phillips. Jeannie promised me that she will always follow my writing tips, “because that’s how I am going to get a job.” I gave Jeannie a writer’s notebook to fill because I believe her, or rather, I believe in her. I just get the impression from Jeannie that she can do whatever she wants to do with her life.
As I was leaving Susie’s classroom, I noticed a poster near her door. It read, “We have not inherited the earth from our fathers; we are building it for our children.”
It seems to me that this group has already started construction for itself.
Mike Lunsford can be reached at hickory913@aol.com, or through regular mail c/o the Tribune-Star, PO Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808.
Local & Bistate
The Off Season: Repeating fourth grade again …
- Local & Bistate
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Rockville correctional facility program teaches life skills
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AAA mag recognizes city for arts works
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State pushing for convenience stores to make safety a higher priority
In 2002, after New Mexico forced convenience store owners to put sweeping security measures into place for clerks working late-night hours, the number of robberies dropped by 92 percent. Assaults, murders and other crimes at convenience stores also dropped dramatically.
Now Indiana officials are hoping voluntary compliance with similar safety standards will bring about similar results.
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Patriotism & Honor
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Graduation turns to mourning in Clinton
Jeana Lunsford’s graduation from South Vermillion High School Saturday should have been a time of celebration.
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School choice proponents foresee growth of vouchers
Twenty-seven Vigo County students benefited from tax-supported vouchers during the first year of the Choice Scholarship Program, and that number is expected to grow for 2012-13, say Indiana school choice leaders who visited Terre Haute Thursday.
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Tales of obstruction meet first takeover attempts
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MIKE LUNSFORD: Raising a flag for my father, veteran or not
My daughter, Ellen, and I stood at my parents’ graves on Mother’s Day a few weeks back and talked about how it couldn’t possibly have been so long since we lost them. My dad, for instance, has been gone for 16 years, and that is nearly unimaginable
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3 rescued from burning residence
Quick action on the part of some first-responders is credited with saving the lives of three people in a Vermillion County fire early Saturday morning, according to the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department.
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He never forgot a name: Friends remember victim of fire at Garfield Towers
When Freddie Poore met you, he never forgot you.
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Hometown boy embraces ‘Promise I Made’: Clinton native Ken Kercheval takes role in Dreams Come True production
Thanks to some help from a hometown boy in Hollywood, “This Promise I Made” is still on track to be kept in Clinton.
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STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Many say they don’t vote in primary because of tag that comes with it
A couple of columns ago, I posed a question about why most Indiana polling places on primary election day had so few customers.
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Police looking for convenience store robber
Police are seeking a robbery suspect following a Saturday morning armed robbery at the Jiffy MiniMart at 25th Street and Eighth Avenue.
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Graduation ‘responsibility’: Rose-Hulman stages 134th commencement exercises
Inventor Dean Kamen gave a first-hand demonstration Saturday of how to be an innovator.
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THE OFF SEASON: To the seniors, one last lecture before you go …
It dawned on me one day last week, as I sat at my desk in my teacher clothes and shoes, a stack of ungraded essays calling to me from a rather tall and depressing pile, that I hadn’t missed a high school graduation in 33 years.
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Water rescuers
Emergency personnel wheel a man who was removed from a vehicle that had been driven into the water at Crystal Lake on Boston Avenue near 14th Street at about 9 p.m. Friday.
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For many, camping outdoors is the way to beat the heat, enjoy nature
Stringing up fishing poles in the shade of American flags, households full of Hoosiers are packing into parks across the state this weekend.
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Towns along National Road readying for next week’s miles-long yard sale
Stretching 824 miles from Baltimore to St. Louis, the National Road — known as U.S. 40 through Indiana — will soon be the host site for perhaps the longest bargain market in the country.
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Rose grads honoring late president Branam at commencement today
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Class of 2012 will honor the memory of Matt Branam during today’s commencement ceremony by wearing special pins with the phrase “Make It Happen; Make It Fun,” a favorite saying of the former Rose-Hulman president, who died unexpectedly on April 20.
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Vigo County Jail Log: May 26, 2012
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Vigo County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
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A fallen soldier returns home
An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Arronn D. Fields early Thursday morning at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
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Official touts trade with northern neighbor
A top Canadian diplomat told a Terre Haute audience Thursday his country was “disappointed” when President Obama at least temporarily rejected a proposed transcontinental oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas.
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Caution urged for summer’s kickoff
Lane restrictions in construction zones on Interstate 70 and other highways around the state will be lifted to accommodate holiday travel for the Memorial Day Weekend.
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Letters delivered
Several positions will be eliminated this summer at the Terre Haute mail processing facility as the U.S. Postal Service begins moving the operation to Indianapolis, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman has confirmed.
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Companies seek Vigo tax abatements
Two Vigo County companies are seeking tax abatements for expansion projects, one of which is included as part of a county incentive package.
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High-speed chase suspect caught in West Virginia
The suspect in a cross-country, high-speed chase originating in Terre Haute last week was reportedly in federal custody Thursday evening.
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Second victim of deadly I-70 semi-trailer crash identified
The Vigo County Coroner’s Office has identified the passenger of a semi-tractor crash on May 16 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 12-mile marker.
- VIGO COUNTY JAIL LOG: May 22-24, 2012
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Burn ban in effect for Vigo County through holiday weekend
Vigo County officials have issued a burn ban effective Thursday and remains in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
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Brazil remembers a Fallen Son
A small town seemed sadly quiet Wednesday, waiting to honor a local fallen warrior.
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