A note for Jasmyne

One of the greatest events in my life other than meeting my wife of sixty year and the birth of our daughter was the years I spent as a reading tutor of kindergarteners and first graders at Middlebranch Elementary. I became a tutor there because my daughter's children were students there and my daughter being very active in the school recommended me to Jane Shem a first grade teacher and I began with a single student but soon had three or four because there was such a need of help by many of the students.

Many of the students I worked with came from single parent homes, were in foster care, and a surprising number were being raised by grandparents. I am usually a slow learner but it didn't take me long to learn that what the majority of these children needed was someone to care. I could relate to that from experience. I was one of them. I understood their needs.

At that time most reading was rote learning with an emphasis on memorizing sight words. I knew that it was going to be a difficult task to help these children using that method so I took a different path. Preceding this experience I had spent my time watching my two grandchildren. During that time I would take them to the library for story time and to read books. I also introduced them to learning on the library's public computers. We spent a lot of time at learning sites such as Starfall, which is in my mind the best site for teaching children. So, knowing the value of engaging children in activities where they not only learned to read, but they had fun, I went to Best Buy and purchased an iPad. I loaded it with apps such as Starfall, Reading Raven, Mickey's ABC's and others. The results of learning by using apps on the iPad that not only engaged but entertained. The improvement in the progress the children made as compared to the codable readers that the kids were subjected to was amazing.

Soon other teachers were asking me if I would work with some of their students. Of course I said yes: I was having a great time.

One day Mrs. Eckelberry, a first grade teacher asked me if I could help with one of her students that needed help. I didn't hesitate and we scheduled a time for me to meet the student, a little girl. Mrs. Eckelberry brought the girl to the door and said, "Jasmyne, this is Mr. Palosi, he is going to help you read." Mrs. Eckelberry left us at the door and I looked down and said "Hello Jasmyne" and she started crying like the world was coming to an end. I asked her "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" She looked up at me and in between sobs said "I don't want to be with someone who is going to die soon." Humpf!

We spent most of that first session getting to know each other after I assured her that I wasn't going to die soon. I told her a little about myself and she opened up about herself. I learned that she and her sister who was in the third grade at Middlebranch were in a foster home. She called me Mr. Posey; for some reason little children had trouble pronouncing my name, but I didn't mind. She told me that she liked to write stories and liked Mrs. Eckelberry. We ended that session by my reading her a Dr. Seuss book.

During our next session I introduced her to some of the reading apps on my iPad. I also gave her a pencil and paper and had her write her name for me. Surprisingly her penmanship was quite good. She wrote in a clear, steady, and very readable hand. She told me that she like to write stories and would bring me one. At the next session she presented me with a one page story. I told her that I loved it and we were now learning friends.

As our sessions went on her reading progressed and she would still write an occasional story for me. One day she presented me with a note. I pretty much teared up as I read it. The note said "Mr. Posey, you are the best teacher I ever had. I love you, Jasmyne."

When the school year came to an end I asked Jasmyne if she wanted to work with me during the next school year. She looked at me and matter-of-factly said "I don't know where we will be next year. We have been with a different family each of the last two years."

I never saw Jasmyne again. I think of her often and hope that she and her sister are doing well.

Jasmyne, this note is for you.