Pursuit of a College Education @ GSC!

I volunteered to be interviewed by one of my students who is taking our Children's Literature course currently.  I was to be interviewed as a mother of a 5 year old and 2 year old, both of whom love me to read to them.  She was most interested in learning about my 5 yr old's interest in books and the types of books that get him excited about reading. 

Ironically, March is also my son's school's Literacy Month and his preschool class at the Child Study and Development Center at UNH was looking at ways to engage the students in reading as much as possible.  So reading was in the air this month and I was more than happy to be interviewed about my child's involvement in reading.  I answered questions posed as part of her assignment, to interview a parent about their child's reading practices.  In being interviewed, she and I began discussing our likes and dislikes for children's books and my son's interest in non-fiction books about volcanoes and destruction (earthquakes, tornadoes).  She began talking about her interest in working with boys specifically and how his interest science and all things physical reminded her of a child she had worked with years ago that had recently resurfaced in her life.

She told me the story of how she worked for a child care facility in Seabrook and had one student who challenged her and the other teaches, but she managed to reach.  She went on to describe a boy who sounded a lot like my son in interest and abilities.  I was intrigued.  After all, I know how inspired this student has been in her pursuit of a degree that would allow her to work more with children and actually be given the chance to not only provide care for them, but to teach them and develop curriculum that meet their needs.  I knew she was passionate about the story of her own professional path, so I was locked in as she told the story.

The amazing part was that she eventually told me that the student she had worked so hard to "reach" and "understand" was Scott Lago, the olympic snowboarder who had recently taken the bronze.  I had watched him in the olympics and my 5 yr old (a skier who will probably try snowboarding next year) very much enjoyed seeing the "xtreme" winter games.  Perhaps someday he will go the way of Scott Lago-- who may have been a challenge for the teachers when he was in preschool, but channeled his energy and enthusiasm to make his goals fit for him.  This GSC student, who I know is very talented in working with and listening to children, will end up giving the gift of understanding and patience to a new generation of Scott Lagos.  I'm so proud to know that she will be graduating from our institution and we helped her achieve this!