Chapter 1: Learning Not To Be A Child: Lessons From a Master Teacher

I sat on the oversized window sill outside of classroom 25 with my friend Chris, anxiously awaiting the first glimpse of our new teacher. We were excited because, in addition to being the first day of 5th grade, we had been assigned to Mrs. Taylor’s room, and she had the best reputation of all the 5th grade teachers at our school. When a black man in his early 30’s turned the corner and strode toward us with a big grin on his face, Chris leaned over to me and whispered, “Here comes Mrs. Taylor!” Just as the words left his mouth, the man bellowed at us: “Good morning, beautiful children!” He stopped in front of the door to room 25, took out a set of keys, unlocked the door, and propped it open, motioning for us to enter the room with grand sweeps of his right hand. “Welcome to 5th grade!”