When I was growing up my mom told me many, many, many times that my little sister was copying me because she thought I was cool. Turns out my sister (if that is indeed what she thought) was poorly mistaken, but my mom - as usual - hit the nail on the head. One of the perks of working in the After School Program is that I get to be around a few sets of siblings and get to see them interact with one another. The younger ones inevitably mimic the older ones, although it isn't always their biological siblings they are mimicking. I find it fascinating to watch these interactions, and often find it heart-warming to see the older siblings gently encourage their younger ones or make them feel better or lead by example during the sing and dance part of the cultural instruction during ASP.
Then there are days like today where the older kids were the ring leaders and the "little ones" were the circus animals. Judging by the noises they were making an outsider might have really thought there were exotic species mixed in with the apparently normal looking kids. Because it's unfair and completely unrealistic to expect sixth graders to play by the same rules for aspects of the ASP as first graders, the usual group of older kids have a wider berth of what they can do without one of us adults chasing after them and threatening to call home. These kids can, gasp, go to the bathroom with out asking, meander through the hall a bit, and as long as they stay quiet during homework and reading time it is essentially up to them if they participate in those activities. Then there are situations like today when students who usually do not come to ASP show up and basically spread chaos through the dining hall where the ASP takes place and I wonder what a decibel meter would read. I am not egocentric enough to hazard a real guess as to why whenever these kids show up it seems that all hell breaks loose. Is it because they are not a part of the regular routine so they feel they need to make their presence known? Have they come back because they need to get attention from somewhere? Are they evil deep-down and want to drive the adults out of the program so they can feel successful in ousting their "oppressors?" Whatever it is I wish they would just allow me the courtesy to be able to work in peace with the students who regularly show up and actually want help and are (mostly) respectful, cheerful, and agreeable in their actions. But no, the un-regulars take the reigns and say, "Giddy up!" to their impressionable audience.
I mean, don't they realize the effect they're having on the people that are surrounding them at that moment? Both the kids and adults? Don't they know that by merely showing up they create a different atmosphere than the one everyone is already used to? True, they don't reach all the kids with their new and "exciting" behavior, but the ones that do listen are hooked on every word they say and action they make. Don't they realize they are role models whether they like it or not and that their behavior directly influences the day to day lives of these kids? And then it hits me...
Maybe I have the ability to have the same effect on some of these students. Sure, there are some that want nothing to do with me. But, there are others who now will have an entire conversation with me who at the beginning of the year wouldn't even look in my direction. There are a few who I feel I have built legitimate relationships with through hard work and dedication. Just today I got a surprise hug from a little girl who I thought truly did not like me and I had not made a connection with. Since the hug was at school and I didn't have any "rewards" in my vicinity I am cautiously hopeful it was actually a genuine hug.
It's easy to have a magnet on your fridge that states "Be the change you want to see in the world," but to actually live out that statement is something different. How many times have you seen someone do something, think, "Oooooh, that was COOL! I want to do it too!" and then proceed to try out that action? I know that's how I've gotten involved in some of my most beloved activities and actions. What do you want to see change in your world? There's no better place than to start with yourself! Before you know it, another monkey will see you and do it themselves!
