Jackson Free Press

One of the most interesting aspects of being a high school teacher is observing the social interactions that occur between the students. If you throw in the fact that I only graduated from high school myself four years ago, the lens through which I observe the interactions are very "adjusted." I have figured out all of the stereotypical cliques that are omnipresent at most American high schools and where most of my students fall within those pseudo-categories.  

Today I witnessed a rare, profound act of kindness and consideration from one of my students. I felt compelled to share.

To respect and protect the identity of my student, I will refer to this student as Gary Oak. Gary is a simple kid. Gary plays football. Gary is often ostracized by his classmates. In my presence, I do not allow this to persist. Unfortunately, I cannot be there with Gary at all times. I cannot imagine what is said to and about Gary when he is in the hallway, locker room, etc. At the end of class today, I witnessed Gary partake in one of the kindest gestures I have ever seen. Yesterday, the majority of my students were out on a field trip. The office sent around a roster of the students who would be out for the day. This list just happened to have the birthdays of each student on it. When the bell rang, all of the students gathered their things and exited my class. All of them except Gary.

As I was heading to the hallway to monitor the students changing classes, I noticed that Gary went toward my desk and grabbed something. My first inclination was to ask Gary why he thought it was OK to grab something off my desk without my permission. In retrospect, though, I'm glad I fought that inclination. I chose to just watch Gary to see what he would do.

After watching about a minute, I walked up to him and asked, "Gary, what are you doing with that paper?" His response was so emotionally gripping. He responded, "Aw, Mr. Abram, I was just writing down the birthdays of some of my friends so I can wish them a happy birthday when it comes." In that moment, I simply encouraged Gary to hustle to class, but it was not until my commute home did I fully comprehend what Gary had done. Here is a kid who is incessantly ridiculed by his classmates, yet some of the birthdays that he wrote down were the same kids who talk about him. I am Gary's teacher, but in that moment Gary taught me more about character than he'll ever know.

Timothy Abram is a U.S. history teacher at West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, Miss. He is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi. All opinions expressed are his own. Email him at [email protected].