AuburnChick's Adventures

Did you hear that huge sigh of relief? Today was the last day of school for my district.

No homework, exams, or projects for two and a half months! Yippee!!! Happy Dance time. 😀

I left work a bit early to pick up littlest chicklet from school. The church youth group went to the beach, so I had to take him straight to the church. On the way back to work, I was reminded about my time spent working as a computer paraprofessional at one of our local middle schools.

My direct supervisor was Ms. Bush (name is real, unlike all of the other nicknames I use here). Ms. Bush has worked at said school for over 30 years. She was never actually a teacher, but she might as well have been.

Ms. Bush spent most of her time working in a program that provided the “extras” to the students. About three years ago, the program became the victim of budget cuts, so Ms. Bush transitioned over to run the Media Center (aka “library”). What she did was take on librarian duties, as well as continuing to do what she had done all those years before…provide the “extras” to the students.

Ms. Bush was creative — always looking for ways to enhance the school experience. She ran an AR store for many, many years. The first year I worked there, she organized a talent show. I had never seen anything like it before. I still laugh when I remember the male teachers imitating the Supremes, and the SRO walking up to “Diana” to hand her a rose. I almost fell out of my chair. During Ms. Bush’s tenure at small town middle school, she clothed many students who didn’t have regulation attire. And she did this in a way that did not demean the kids. Her goal was to enrich their lives – making them feel better about themselves in the process.

My office was located in the back of the Media Center, and Ms. Bush was not the Media Specialist the first year I worked there. It was a dark place. The librarian was not kid-friendly, complaining frequently about this and that child. Ms. Bush changed all of that.

By the time school started her first year in the library, she had transformed it into a bright, happy place. Large Christmas M&M figures decorated the bookshelves from November until January. Leprechauns mysteriously appeared in March. What a festive place! Kids were encouraged to use the computer lab, with your’s truly in charge of keeping those machines running optimally so the kids could have every tool at their disposal.

What makes her even more inspiring is that this school is not in the wealthiest area of the city. Parents are not exactly clamoring to get their children into this school; however, if they gave themselves a chance to get to know the staff personally, they would change their minds.

Not only was she wonderful to the students but also to the many teachers and staff who entered those doors. Every Christmas, she opened her home to those she worked with, proudly displaying 30-40 Christmas trees in her home. Every tree was themed and bespoke her hobbies outside of school. And the food she supplied at these shin-digs…yum! Nobody and nothing escaped her spoiling, including her dog “Blueberry.” Ms. Bush cooked chicken for her sweet dog every day. Nothing but the best for doggie dear. Blueberry often accompanied her to school during the summer, keeping Ms. Bush company while the kids’ thoughts couldn’t have been further from the house of learning.

Ms. Bush spent the first year getting the library up to speed. The next two years were a bit easier. However, Ms. Bush got tired. She was going to retire last year but decided to come back for one more year. This year was her last…no turning back this time.

As I drove past the intersection where I would normally turn to go to the school, I picked up my phone and decided to see if she was still there, despite the fact that school had been out for an hour. I’ve tried to go by and see her a few times, but she had so much leave that she had to take that she always seemed to be gone on the days I visited.

Fortunately, she was still at the school when I called. When I heard her voice, I wanted to reach through the phone and give her a hug. This woman is simply the sweetest, most generous and thoughtful people you will ever meet. Her hugs are genuine. She made every person, young and old, feel special.

As we talked, she cried. It’s going to be hard for her to leave. She’s enjoyed the days she took off this year, but to have it be a permanent thing…well, she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. What she was really saying is that she’s going to miss the very people whose lives she touched daily. We will miss her too. And I told her that. And she cried more. And I teared up.

I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone I wasn’t related to (or dating) that I love them. I spoke these words to Ms. Bush, and she said them to me. She will be missed.

Filed under: This-n-That |