Why Goodman School Is So Much More Than Good

As I entered Goodman School last week after the tornado struck, and rounded the hallway that lead to my old classroom, my breath was taken away. I wasn't prepared for what I saw. My eyes were immediately drawn upward and all I could see was blue sky. The roof of the main hallway was gone. After coming to the realization of what I was actually looking at, I noticed I was standing outside what was once the library. Tears filled my eyes at that moment.  Keith Rook, who I've known my entire administrative career, was standing there. He patted me on the shoulder and I remember thinking that he must know how hard this is for me. Keith's not a real touchy feely kind-of-guy, so I appreciated his gesture more than he knew. I've been gone from Goodman for 9 years, but as I walked into the rooms I used to know so well, it was amazing the memories that came back to me.

I walked over what seemed like dozens and dozens of blocks that were once the outside wall of the library.  The beautiful library.  I remember when we got the dial up computer in there and how excited we all were.  I remember sitting in there when Mr. Clemons' asked me to become a looping teacher. I remember the tears in my eyes as I stood in that room the day I told the faculty I would be leaving to become the principal at Carver. Keith helped me step over the blocks as I continued walking down the hall to my old classroom. I looked inside and immediately noticed the windows weren't broken, although the roof was gone.  When I looked at the windows, I didn't notice if they were shattered because at that moment I was taken back to 1998. I could see Ronda Hall knocking on them to give me the homework her daughter, Lindsay, had forgotten to bring back to school. We still laugh about that one.  Next, I noticed the closet wall was still in tact. It was bare now, but back in 1999 it had the cutest wallpaper tree covering it. That year, Ronda Hall, Roxie Barnes, and I decorated every inch of that room.  More Ronda and Roxie, but I surely put something on the walls.   I stood there in awe trying to comprehend what I was looking at while having flashbacks to what used to be.  Others would look inside and only see a mess, but I saw so much more.  I saw nine-year-old Kasha Neff sitting at her desk intently reading a book while some rowdy boys were being noisy and Alan Duda swelling with pride as he showed me the limousine valentine box it took him weeks to make.  I pictured Michael Woodrum's mom in the back of the room questioning me about dictation sentences on my first Back to School Night at Goodman. I could hear Addison Rainwater and Ashton Cooper arguing. It happened on most days, so it was easy to remember. I could even see Mr. Clemons sitting there scripting everything I was saying as I taught my lesson on adjectives. I noticed the roof of the school mangled on the blacktop out back. I saw more than mangled metal.  I saw a classroom of kids circled around the turtle race we held on that same blacktop and the turtle that wouldn't let go of Billy Webb's finger.  Of course, I called for Charlotte Miller and she came outside immediately and knew exactly what to do. I left the room, looked down the hallway toward the library, and imagined Herb Heath walking towards my classroom with his Santa hat on to pick up Sarah. He walked down that hall with confidence as Sarah cried with embarrassment. Before I left, I took one more look into the gym that was special to so many.  I could still picture Sarah Heath and Lindsay Hall sitting on the bleachers looking a little nervous (as was I) on their first day of third grade. I could see Les Shelton, Fred Hall and so many other veterans sitting there in attendance at our annual Veterans Day program. My last stop was what was once the art/music room and I could picture my kids sitting at the table as we ate our Thanksgiving Day Feast. Mr. Clemons wouldn't let me have it in my classroom with carpet, so we had to have it in there. I know exactly what I had on that day. I was pregnant with Allison, but no one knew, and my black and white Hard Rock Cafe sweatshirt was hiding it well.

I went back to Carver to greet the fourth grade teachers from Goodman that would now call Carver home for the next few weeks. After checking on them, I sat in my office and processed the day. I looked at all the items I brought with me from Goodman when I moved into Carver years ago. While others may question the decor in my office, I've always been quick to point out that everything in there has meaning.  I cherish the WELCOME pillow Bonnie Gary made me that I keep on an old desk as well as the pictures of the sweet, Amish children in a school setting that Mr. Clemons left when I took over for him. They were the first pictures I wanted hung in my new office.  The plaque the teachers gave me the night of my going away party sits on the shelf behind me. I have other gifts from Michelle Cooper, Sherri Rose,and Connie Bryant that take me back to Goodman as I get glimpses of them every single day.

Allison wanted to go down to Goodman so I headed back that afternoon.  She wanted to see the classroom she had been in the two years she attended Goodman.  I knew she wanted a keepsake and Mr. Sandford suggested a brick.  Perfect! We both headed out the north doors one last time where the bricks now lay in piles.  We both took one and headed to the marquee to take a picture.  I still remember seeing that cute marquee with the crayons on each side for the first time when I brought my resume to Mr. Clemons so many years ago. I had a feeling that day, that Goodman Elementary was a special place, and I was right.

While these are my special memories, everyone working there now and in the past will have their own as well.  I know Goodman is just as special to them and I would love to hear their stories. I would challenge everyone to ask yourselves if you are taking time each day to appreciate the people you work with, the kids you teach and the families you touch.  Are you taking it all in?  Are you making memories? Although, it was a tough day for me, I know it was obviously harder for Samantha Hamilton, her teachers and staff,  the kids and the families who still call Goodman Elementary School home. Together We Will Rise and rise we will. I hope I have conveyed in this blog how much Goodman School meant to me and I hope you have a small glimpse of why in my eyes Goodman School is so much more than good.