Consulting
When my father retired, he started a consulting business. Using the skills he had honed during his career in quality control, he solved the problems of his clients — engineering and business firms. He was paid for his expertise and experience.
When I retired from teaching, I also began a consulting career. Using the teaching skills I had honed, I solve the problems of my clients — six and seven-year-olds. I volunteer in first grade.
First-grade students need help with reading and math. I help them sound out words and understand what they are reading. We search pictures for context clues. We use counters and number lines to solve addition and subtraction problems and toy clocks to tell time. We draw pictures to explain concepts or help them remember words. Learning the skills they need to succeed in school is our first goal.
But my second goal, and much more important, is helping my students blossom. Each student is a bud, full of potential, waiting for someone to tend to them. So the first thing I do, before we practice sight words, read any story, count, add, subtract, or review homework, is to ask each child, “How are you doing today? Tell me something new about you.” Then the smiles start.
My brother got a new bicycle! He said that he would let me ride it sometimes.
My dad took me fishing this weekend. I almost caught three fish!
I learned a new joke. Do you want to hear it?
My aunt is getting married and I am the flower girl. I get to pick out my dress!
Tears sometimes sparkle.
My mom had to go away. I miss her.
Amy told me that she doesn’t want to be friends anymore. We’ve been friends since kindergarten.
My dog died. He was a good dog.
I helped Tommy look for his baseball glove. We didn’t find it.
In the few minutes we spend sharing stories, we connect. I had a dog that died when I was young. My dad took me fishing too! I never was a flower girl. What do you have to do? Won’t your mom be happy to see you when she gets home? Sometimes being friends is hard work. We learn to trust one another and that makes learning — with its difficulties and mistakes — easier. The students teach me a lot too — to be open and willing to learn, to share joys and sorrows, to trust that others want to help you, to gather strength in weakness, and to blossom in the warmth of caring teachers and friends. Together, we grow.
My biggest ally in my consulting life is the classroom teacher. When you teach many students, you may not have time to personally connect with each student every day — even when you try very hard. And believe me, teachers try VERY hard. Connecting with students helps them learn. Connection leads to understanding and respect. In first grade, understanding and respect lead to love. There is a lot of love flowing around first-grade classrooms. Lucky me, I scoop it up when it flows my way.
So that’s how I get paid for my consulting, in dopey grins, glistening tears, silly jokes, sad stories, and love. When I walk into the classroom, the students light up and call my name. I am a celebrity. No rock star ever felt more loved. I love them right back. How rich can you get?
My father was glad that he could use his skills after he retired. He consulted for many years and solved many issues for his satisfied clients. He had earned his pay. I plan to consult for many more years. The problems vary, we may not solve them all, but the pay is outstanding.
I am grateful for my teaching skills and the opportunity to use them. Thanks to the teacher who trusts me with the students she loves. Thanks to the students who share their joys and sorrows with me. Together, we grow.
