Reflections on Sharon Center School! I shall miss thee.

"The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children."
- Mahatma Gandi

In 2007, after moving back from Boston, I began a year long internship program through the University of Bridgeport to get my Master's in Education. My good friend, Karen Manning, principal of Sharon Center School, warmly invited me to be the in house substitute for that school year as part of the program. I had the pleasure of subbing in almost every classroom in the school. I witnessed incredible teachers change lives with love, wisdom, and kindness.

The following year, I had the great opportunity to complete my student teaching with the school's science teacher, JoEllen Neideck. I taught the most pleasant, smart and creative seventh graders and was guided by JoEllen's kind and constructive support.

In the past few months, I have been helping in the second grade and have loved every minute of it! Allison, the teacher, is amazing - smart, efficient, and compassionate. I also had the pleasure of working with two wonderful aids!

Sharon Center School is a wonderful place that fosters independent thinking, sound character and kindness. It has been a great pleasure spending time with children there.

From the first day that I worked in a school to this very day, I continue to be amused and amazed at the wit, curiosity, creativity, and brilliance of children. If I had written down every adorable and hilarious thing that was said, I'd have a best selling book. Here are a few that I can remember now. If you are a teacher or work with children, please add some.

Walking in the hall, a kindergartener stops me to say, "this morning, my dog ate my toast. And it was the good peanut butter too." He then runs off without explanation.

Second grader says to me, "Ms. Hewitt! Over the weekend, I got a new cousin! It has a weird name though." I respond, "Is your new cousin a boy or a girl?" Child responds, "Oh, I can't remember but it has a weird name."

A kindergartener waiting for the bus says, "Ms. Hewitt . . . are you married?" I respond, "No, why are your curious?" She responds, "Oh, well, me either. I guess we have that in common." I respond, "Well, at five, I guess that's a good thing."

A child on the playground says, "Ben, am I dying of old age?!" Ben replies, "I think so."

Kindergartener on the playground who comes up for help with zipping jacket has unbuttoned pants so I say, "Um, Alden, it looks like your pants are unbuttoned. Can you button those?" Alden says, "Oh well, see, I got bigger from last year. They buttoned last year."

A child attempting to roll snow balls begins to wail (literally wail) because "the snow won't roll."

Same child proclaims with great concern, "I don't want to grow! I don't want to get big!"