This is a true story.
I tutored at an inner city college. Many of my students were the first in their families to finish high school. Or not sell drugs. Some became my personal heroes.
My current tutee, a suburban pop culture drone, had just asked why she should “do punctuation.”
“Because it’s the only thing that separates us from the lower animals!” I replied, sarcasm phaser set on stun.
She shrugged and left.
My co-worker Trina, an African American grandma with a passion for cookies and Dostoyevsky, said, “Good point. My dog still can’t use a semi-colon.”
“If I get one more I’m-only-here-because-my-teacher-made-me knucklehead,” I curmudged, “I’m going to become a custodian.”
“This is community college, sweetie. You’re already in the recycling biz. Have a lemon cookie.”
My 11:30 arrived.
Roland was in his late 20s, with tattoos on his tattoos–not the artsy kind, the gang-y kind. But there was something in his eyes that said, These aren’t who I am.
“So I wrote this essay,” he announced, “and I need to know if I messed up, or if it’s OK.”
I skimmed the first page. “Redemption Essay?”
“Yeah, we supposed to talk about how everybody can redeem somebody else.”
“So you wrote about…?”
“My cousin Mikey. And I just wanna know if I did it right.”
“Depends. What did you want to say?”
“Well, Mikey, he’s—what you call it?—slow, real slow. So everybody in our family, they just kind of give up on him, didn’t even try and show him stuff no more cuz they say he’s ‘unteachable.’”
“But you…?”
“Well, he’s my cousin. So one day I start trying to teach him to catch a ball. He didn’t get it, and everybody say, ‘See, we told you.’ But the next day, Mikey, he’s waiting with the ball. So I teach him some more.”
“And he caught the ball?”
“Nah.” Roland smiled. “But he keeps tryin’. And after about a month and a half, he—”
“Finally caught it?”
Roland grinned again. “Well, he ain’t gonna play for the Yankees, but, yeah. So, anyways, from then on, Mikey he goes wherever I go and does whatever I do, you know? Or at least he tries to.”
“Which gets a little old, I imagine?”
“He’s my cousin,” Roland repeated, as though I were the slow one. “But, yeah, I was in high school and a lotta my friends, they didn’t… Anyhow, by then I’m showing Mikey how to draw a circle cuz he never could draw nothing that looked like anything.” The sun rose in Roland’s eyes. “And he finally gets it! He gets how a circle can be like a face and other things!”
“You are a teacher!”
“Yeah, maybe,” Roland replied, storing it away like chocolate for later. “And then, cuz he always seeing me write my name, he wants to know how he can do that too. It took him two years, but he finally got it.”
“That’s amazing, Roland! So this is the story of how you redeemed Mikey!”
Ignoring me, Roland went on, “Before Mikey, well, me and my friends was starting to get into some bad shit, you know? Selling drugs and guns, and always having to prove we bad so everybody be ‘respecting’ us, and all that kinda protecting your turf shit that never ends. Anyway, half of ‘em is in lock-up now and the other half got ankle bracelets. Three of ‘em are dead, including my best friend.”
“But you…?”
“Well, see, that’s just it. I couldn’t be doing that no more cuz Mikey, well, he’s watching me all the time.”
“And he wanted to do—”
“Everything I did, yeah.”
Suddenly realizing I had been the slow one, I said, “So this isn’t the story of how you saved Mikey?”
“No, man…” Roland’s eyes began to leak…
“It’s the story of how Mikey saved me.”
My eyes began to leak, too. “You really are a teacher.”
“Yeah, that’s what I want to be, anyway. Hey, can I use the…” Roland left for the restroom as I scanned his essay.
Trina came over and sat down next to me.
“I think I actually learned something for a change,” I said.
Trina put a cookie in front of me. “Well, that’s why we teach. And what did you learn today, young man?”
“That sometimes teaching is a chore, but sometimes it’s an incredible privilege.”
“And?”
“And that we all have the ability to redeem others. All of us.”
“So I guess that means you won’t be going into sanitation?”
“Not this week.”
⇔ ⇔ ⇔
Drama groups: For a performable version of this true story, click here.
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing, Mitch!
My privilege, Abe.
Absolutely stunning!! We can only progress if we save each other. I loved it 💖
Wonderful story, I am tear eyed as the story develops.
So little can be so very much.
Miriam
Thank you, Miriam.
Yes, this is so lovely. ☺
this is awesome!
Thank you, Wendi.
Love this!
Great post Mitch.
Thanks!
Perfect story. Teachers often learn more than their students.
What a fabulous story. I have an adult special needs son and I have learned a great deal from him over the years. Much more than I’ve taught him, I’m sure
Lovely story and a good message.
I am leaking!
Oh, Mitch, thank you for sharing this! #love.
My privilege, Terese.
Thanks, Mitch. Your student is an inspiration and I pray that he realizes his dream to become a teacher. He clearly has a lot to give.
It’s been some years since this incident, Mike. I’m guessing he’s teaching somewhere even as we type.
Mitch I have reblogged this since it is such an amazing story!
I’m honored, Suzanne.
Pingback: Tutoring the Tutor — Mitch Teemley – worry-less-journey
A story that restores our faith in human nature is very much appreciated right about now.
So touching!
so poignant!
SO very glad I read this!! How powerful! Impacting! Thank you, Mitch.
Great story, Mitch. I reposted on FB – made my day, and thanks for sharing.
My pleasure.
What a beautiful and grace-filled story. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Hii , Thank you for spending your precious time in my blog page, Looking forward for your comments and constructive feedbacks.
Thanks & Regards
Jr
My pleasure, John.
For anybody that has worked with underprivileged young people, this story captures it all! Thank you again for reminding me of heartfelt memories! And for the bleary eyes afterwards…
Honored, Jane.
Mitch: I read all your posts, but had to comment on this one because it is just so powerful. As I read this, I felt like I was in the room while you were talking to Roland. Thank you for the well-written retelling of a beautiful story. And, as the dad of a disabled child (he just turned 30), I can definitely appreciate Roland’s heart for his cousin. Well done.
Aw, thanks, Mike. I’m so glad you shared that information with me.
What an amazing story! Roland was redeemed not only by his cousin, but by his love for, and service to, his cousin. This is a lesson for all of us, I think. Thanks you for sharing it.
And thank you for your insightful comment, Ann.
Wow, Mitch, I love this so much. Thank you.
What an incredibly beautiful story. I teach middle school and it has been a week where I too considered a job change. This story gives me hope for next week. Thank you for sharing.
Onward and upward, Ms. K.
In my 50 years as a teacher, a good 60% of the time, I’m learning from the students…getting better insight in how to teach, what to teach, and how to handle “special cases.”
Nothing better than an attentive, actively-learning teacher!
So beautiful, thanks for posting and thanks for being there for him, Mitch!
The honor is (and was) mine.
Thank you for sharing this story!
ok now this one is the best of the best
Thank you, dear Sarah.
I love these highlights on good people Actually this share reminds me of the late author Stud Terkel’s interview style if writing. Anyhow a great share and read. Thank you always Mitch for visiting AOC! Stay safe! 💕☕️☕️
So glad you liked it, and happy to be compared Studs Terkel any day.
Experienced Tutors
https://www.fruition.com.au/
Thank You, my wife is a Special Needs teacher, there are days she feels the same. I passed this on as sometimes a little perspective is what we need most.
Cool, Andy. Challenging? Yes, but so worth it!
“Suddenly realizing I had been the slow one, I said, “So this isn’t the story of how you saved Mikey?”
Black-Father-Son-717×358“No, man…” Roland’s eyes began to leak…
“It’s the story of how Mikey saved me.” THere’s the spot where my eyes started to leak.. I have ‘liked’ this before but it opened up on my screen and i’m liking it even more!
Yep, me too. How are you, Sarah?
doing better Mitch…recovering from a stroke… so thankful there ys no paralysis….vision has returned… typing hasn’t improved…been enjoying your posts and the success of your movie..so proud of your accomplishments!
Oh, Sarah, I had no idea. I’m so glad there’s no paralysis and that you’re recovering. 100%, I pray. Thank you for your unflagging support. So glad to hear from you. Prayers in progress.
Thank you!!
prayers are much appreciated! thank you!!
Pingback: Get it Write! | Mitch Teemley