1983-1984
I’m leaving his name out of this, because what he did for me wouldn’t be remotely acceptable these days.
I was on probation from Grade 7 to Grade 8.
My home life and the bullying were costing me by education,
I was struggling.
The mother kept my report cards from elementary school, and I was surprised to read on of his comments in it a few years ago.
It read something like this…
‘It is clear Tonya’s struggles are a reflection of things going on at home, it is my strong suggestion that something be done with her home life situation.’
Holy shit.
He knew too.
My home life was a tornado.
That’s another blog day.
But he knew.
So, for the summer months, we would meet once a week… on Thursdays.
It was the day the mother would clean my grandparents house, and he lived around the corner.
He would walk over, and I would grab the work he had given me for the week, and we’d walk to his place. (I know, right?) All above board.
He’d mark my work, and give me the new tasks, and walk me back.
I didn’t know he had ever written that in my report card, I didn’t know he knew how bad it was.
I really think it was his way to make sure I was okay, and I ended up making it through to Grade 8 and graduating.
Reading his comments in my adulthood was surreal.
He moved on from that school, and became a principal of an elementary school a few hours away.
I have never spoken to him since.
I am hopeful that if he ever finds this, he knows how grateful I am that someone was paying attention.
I hope that school knows what a special human they had in him.