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Fifth grade, at Ft. Shafter Elementary in Honolulu, was one of my favorite years of school. I had a really nice teacher, Mary Lock, actually Mary Uilani Yoon Shong Tyau Lock, who, when the Kapoho eruption happened in 1960, immediately arranged to charter a plane and take our class to the Big Island for a day. I read a lot of books that year, especially in the Childhood of Famous Americans series. I socked a boy, bigger than me, in the jaw once; I wish I could remember why—it’s the only time I ever did such a thing. I could tell you more. You might not even have to ask.
My family moved to the mainland after my fifth grade year, but I eventually moved back again, and I happened to meet Mrs. Lock once more, forty years after fifth grade, at, uh, I guess you could call it a grief workshop, where she was a discussion leader. At the break, I approached her and introduced myself, told her I had fond memories, and asked if she remembered me. “Nooo, sorry, I don’t think so,” she said. “That was my first year teaching,” she said, “and you needn’t feel bad that I don’t remember. It’s usually the naughty boys I don’t forget.”
One day this past week, I happened to come into possession of a stenographer’s notebook in which another fifth grade teacher, someone with whom I have been well acquainted, made many notes over the course of several years in the mid-1970’s, early in that person’s teaching career. I found to-do lists, minutes of faculty meetings, and a variety of other notes that seem to follow no particular order of grouping in time or subject matter. But my interest fell upon four pages, which I have transcribed below, in which the teacher documented efforts to guide one specific student. (I have changed the names in the story.)
Those four pages caused me to smile at my recollection of Mrs. Lock’s remark, and they raised in my mind a multitude of questions and possibilities. Now, I am wondering if you, my readers, will form some judgments and do some wondering of your own. If you do, I hope you will let me know.
Edgar
Sept. 11
Went for a drink in hall directly after being told he could not.
Took an orange from cafeteria after Mr. Darby said he could take no food out of the cafeteria.
During recess, went to Mrs. Brewster’s room & threw airplanes out the window.
After school went to Mrs. Brewster’s room & climbed on top of the door.
No homework, No seatwork.
Sept. 12
Arrived at class at 11:00.
At 11:45 Edgar left reading and went to Mrs. Diamond’s class & hit a child on the head . Still has not brought back the pencil sharpener he took of mine on Tuesday. Drew a picture covering the complete top of his desk.
Sept. 15
Arrived at class late. Ignored me when I told the class & him to write spelling words.
Disrupted music. Turned on the record player at its loudest, tore a sheet of music in two. Spit in the wastebasket.
Poured milk on the floor in cafeteria. Ate an apple in class.
Lost his spelling book.
Sept. 16
Didn’t return from recess. Went home & said he was sick. Mr. Darby investigated.
Sept 19
Late (few minutes) kicked water fountain repeatedly while others drinking. Defied me when no one was allowed second drinks. During math test, talked, walked around, & made strange loud noises. Refused to sit in his seat and walked around disrupting other students during a test.
Refused to do the spelling part of the Standard Achievement Test & played with a camera and made noise during the test.
Sept. 22
Absent.
Sept. 23
Came in late. Refused to do any Math or Spelling. Sat kicking the table while others were working.
Sept. 24
Wrote on edge of math book defied me on chewing gum. Later told him to get rid of it & he did not. Made strange noises in the hall to bother classes. Took an apple from cafeteria and started eating it in class. Reported cafeteria rule infraction to Mr. Darby.
Sept. 25
Few minutes late again. Got out of line for PE and was sleeping in the classroom at 9:18 when I returned. Sent him to PE. 11:15 Edgar shot Mrs. Brewster with a paper clip after I asked everyone if anyone had rubber bands or paper clips. Refused to go to office then ran down the stairs.
Went to Mr. Darby’s office at 1:00, entered the girls’ bathroom.
Sept. 29
Came in 15 minutes late. Refused to do Math. Talked all during math & bothered other kids then said he wanted help when I asked afterwards. Paid no attention to me. Put him in hall, came back & talked for the remainder of the period. Lit matches in Mrs. Brewster’s reading class.
Sept. 30
Edgar made noises and talked during whole math period. When I corrected him, he gave a sign with his finger.
Oct. 1
Came to school at 11:30 made noise when he entered reading class.
Oct. 2
Absent
[end of teacher’s entries on this subject ]
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