The most profound statement I’ve ever heard is that “everything you’ve ever learned that was ‘important’ you learned in elementary school.” Sitting here now in the school I’ve realized that my education since elementary school to now wasn’t ‘worthless’ just unnessary. In truth, I believe, the biggest philisophical questions come from 10 year olds who ask basic questions like, “Where do you come from? What do you like? Why are you here? They’re innocent questions in their nature, but behind them are questions we as grown-ups forget to ask sometimes of ourselves.

The first morning meeting felt like an established ritual. The principal stood before the staff room packed with teachers much like a warlord would stand over his Samurai retainers. Messages of the day’s agenda, battle maps, and strategic way points were barked to the teachers. Announcements followed about events that would happen through out the day and the week.

I sat in the back listening intently, even though I only caught maybe 25%-30% of what was really being said. With a nod and a thank you the vice principal stood up and motioned that the meeting was over. The room exploded into activity as teachers rushed around finishing up last minute copies, grabbing lesson plans, and consorting with others on minor details. Soon a bell rang and teachers disappeared into the hallways like mice scurring about a house– disappearing into rooms.

In the wake of that I sat silently in my chair— unsure what to do next.

つづく

More to come…

~J

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