Laura Bush, Ex-Teacher, Goes Back to Kindergarten [NYT]

The New York Times ^ | October 17, 2001 | Ronald Smothers

[summer]

October 17, 2001

Laura Bush, Ex-Teacher, Goes Back to Kindergarten

By RONALD SMOTHERS

NEWARK, Oct. 16 — Amid tight security and with reporters in tow, the first lady, Laura Bush, visited the brightly colored kindergarten classroom of an elementary school here today where she read a story, gave a geography lesson and otherwise soothed 18 5-year-olds with hugs, tender touches and cooing words.

The occasion was Teach for America Week 2001, during which the organization Teach for America, which places college graduates as teachers for two years in schools in some of the nation's poorest neighborhoods, asks public figures to highlight the importance of teaching by spending an hour in a classroom.

Ms. Bush, a former teacher herself, seemed to warm to the task instantly.

She skillfully gathered the students on a luminous red and blue rug at the South 17th Street School here and held their attention, all the while managing to soothe Tydaysiah Chambers, whose fingers had been stepped on by a classmate in the rush for a space close to the first lady.

"She didn't mean to do it," she whispered reassuringly to Tydaysiah as she continued to direct the students to sit in a semicircle for the reading of "Grandfather's Journey" by Allen Say.

The story, which was selected by Mrs. Bush, tells of a Japanese man who immigrated to the United States early in the 20th century but became homesick and returned to Japan, where he married and raised a family whom he regaled with stories of his time in America.

Wendy Kopp, president and founder of Teach for America, said that it had placed some 7,000 teachers in schools in 16 urban and rural areas since its founding in 1989. During its weeklong observances over the last four years, appearances like that of Mrs. Bush, she said, help focus the nation on "our most pressing domestic issues, including poverty and the quality of education."

Mark Williams, 23, the Teach for America recruit whose kindergarten class Mrs. Bush visited for the 30- minute stay, said that the first lady grabbed the class's attention immediately, adding that she "seems to really like being in a classroom."

Mr. Williams, a native of Wilmington, Del., who was headed to medical school when he decided to take off two years to teach, said that he and the first lady talked briefly about Teach for America's goals and that he came away with the idea that "She is ever so thankful for teachers because she was so gracious in thanking us for being teachers."

The first lady's visit became known to a small group at the school just last Friday. Early this morning, before students began arriving, bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in. Police lines went up after that, restricting access to the block. Secret Service agents were almost unobtrusive, blending into their surroundings, according to Mr. Williams and some of the other teachers.

After the reading lesson, Mrs. Bush gave some small insight in how she had coped in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, in an interview broadcast on WNBC-TV. She said that she and President Bush do not talk much about the "decisions of the day" during their family time together and instead play with their pets, laugh and discuss the books each is reading.

"Since Sept. 11, the times when I have been with children have been very comforting for me," she said, reflecting on her visit to the Newark school.

[summer]

I never get tired of reading these articles about First Lady Laura Bush. IMO, she is just wonderful. She is one of the few people who enables me to feel proud to say I am a certified teacher. Thank you, First Lady -- and teacher -- Laura Bush.

Another public official who actively supports teachers and whose support makes me feel proud to say I am a certified teacher is her brother-in-law, Gov. Jeb Bush. Thank you, Gov. Bush, for all you do for teachers in Florida, even though most of the teachers don't even know what you've done to help them.

BTW, anyone seeking a teaching position in Florida can visit: www.teachinflorida.com

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Toidylop]

First lady Laura Bush smiles as she meets with kindergarten students Gary Anderson (R) and Jasmine Harris (L) at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989 recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

U.S. first lady Laura Bush reads "Grandfather's Journey" to a class of kindergarten students at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989, recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

U.S. first lady Laura Bush holds Tydaysiah Chambers as she teaches in a class of kindergarten students at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989, recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

[summer]

Oh, thank you so very much. You made my day! :)

[SpinyNorman]

And she is a damn sight easier on the eyes than that witch Hillary! Quality shows! What a pleasant difference from the previous occupant of the White House.

[summer]

And, frankly, Tipper Gore's much publicized talent of playing the drums didn't do much for me.

[Explorer89]

The last picture of Laura says so much about her....she knows how to hold a child! What I mean is that she is cradling the girl who got her fingers stomped, but without missing a beat, is continuing to teach. She obviously spent a lot of time holding her own children. Any real mom knows what it is like to hold one sad child while still making dinner. We would have never seen this picture from Hillary.

[rightofrush]

A happy BTTT. It's nice to have a first class lady as first lady again.

[paleolibertarian]

Somehow all this bear-hug touchy-feely, feel-good dribble about public education... doesn't change my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

[Amelia]

my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

It's not really the topic of this thread, but i'm interested in knowing what your alternative would be?

[Amelia]

Ms. Bush, a former teacher herself, seemed to warm to the task instantly.

That's because she's a Real Teacher. Not everyone in charge of a classroom is, you know.

[summer]

Dearest Amelia,

Thank you for your TWO fantastic posts, #10 and #11!

Sincerely,
summer :)

[ohioWfan]

I never get tired of reading these articles about First Lady Laura Bush. IMO, she is just wonderful. She is one of the few people who enables me to feel proud to say I am a certified teacher. Thank you, First Lady -- and teacher -- Laura Bush.

I'm kind of late getting to this thread, but thanks for posting this article! I agree that I never get tired of reading articles about our gracious, charming, loving and very real First Lady! (And I'm a teacher too).

You can see how comfortable children are when they are around her, and how comfortable and nurturing she is with them! And the way she comforted that little girl without missing a beat was fantastic.

Incidentally, her husband is a natural with kids too. Every time I see either of them with kids, I have to smile! Kids know the real thing when they see it! What a fabulous couple they are! America has been blessed!!

[ohioWfan]

doesn't change my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

Maybe he'd like to see millions of uneducated kids running loose on the streets?????.........

None of these people have solutions. Trust me, I've debated here at FR with many of them. They just like to spout anti- "government school" rhetoric, and insult people who don't agree with them.

What Laura Bush is doing to create an interest in having qualified people go into public school teaching is absolutely fantastic! Way to go, Laura!!

[giotto]

the abolition of state-run schools.

The emphasis was on teachers--recruiting quality people to become teachers, encouraging quality teachers to stay in the profession. The fact remains that, at least for now, most kids go to public schools. Improving the quality of teachers in those schools would help immensely.

[Churchillspirit]

Good points. Laura does look at ease with the children.

The child in the last picture seems to be clinging to the First Lady. What good vibes she must emit for a child to do that with a stranger.

[RobbyS]

Anecdotes from here in Tejas suggest that who you see is what you get.

[summer]

Dear ohioWfan,

Thanks very much for your upbeat and warm post #13 -- and, always so nice to meet yet another teacher on this forum!

Sincerely,
summer :)

[summer]

And, a HUGE bump to your post #14!

[summer]

Improving the quality of teachers in those schools would help immensely.

Unfortunately, teaching is not a very attractive profession to many people qualified to teach. Low pay and long hours, dead end opportunity in terms of greater career advancement, and dim-wit administrators are all part of the picture.