RC

RC stands for Roman Catholic. Today, I shadowed one of the undergraduates at the public school today. The day began at 7am with a walk through the streets of San Pedro, a stop by the laundry and a bowl of fresh fruit. Students waited patiently for the gates to open. They never did so we walked around. In the yard were several hundred children running and playing. They seemed very happy to be at school. All were dressed in white tops and blue bottoms. No matter how rough they seemed to play no one was hurt and everyone seemed happy. I entered the room and was introduced to the teacher. He was a tall man with a very kind sounding voice. He seemed somewhat apologetic for the surroundings but quickly asked for my assistance for Issac once finding that I had expertise in the area of special education.

The bell sounds and the children enter and exit the room. They line up outside the room, enter and begin their morning routine. I spent my day working with Issac. At first he seemed very eager to learn but once he found that he was receiving my undivided attention he quickly seemed to lose interest and began to show resistance. It was obvious that he had spent many hours perfecting his ability to avoid any academic task put before him. Did I make a difference in Issac's life today? I would have to say if I did just a small one. I may be a memory that he holds on to for a day, a week and if lucky a year. The lady that cared. The one who came to help me and left, the one who told me and showed me that I was not "stupid". The one who let me use her computer and took my picture. The one who asked me about what I liked and about my mother. The one who wanted to know that I had friends and had something to eat at lunch. The one who tried to teach me to read.