Recess Was My Favorite Subject (and Detention Was My Major)

From classroom exile to the playground courtroom, this is a tale of a kid who couldn’t sit still, talked too much, and graduated with a Ph.D. in after-school detention. But hey, at least he turned it into a lifelong love for exercise—and a fiercely loyal heart.

I enjoy exercising. I’ve always enjoyed it. As a kid, I couldn’t sit still in school. My first grade teacher had me move my desk apart from the rest of the class besides being a kid that couldn’t sit still, I was too sociable for a teacher who like order. Although she may have temporarily modified my behavior, it was probably the reason recess was my favorite class in elementary school. I could scream, run, and shout, and it still didn’t calm me down. In today’s environment, the counselors and educators would’ve probably said I needed to be drugged. They would tell my parents I wasn’t normal. As a reflect on it, I’m glad they never had that conversation with my teachers. My behavior, both physical and socially, didn’t really improve as I went through each grade. My fifth grade teacher kept me after school 150 days out of 180. I think I must’ve set a record. I had the longest school day of any kid I’ve ever known. There was one day when she kept me after school and my younger brother, who was in first grade, was outside waiting for me in the playground. When I got out of prison as I called it I went to get him. There was a boy from my class picking on him and my brother was crying. What’s an older brother to do? I had no choice I got involved in a fight. My fifth grade teacher saw me from the window, came outside and yanked me off the boy who was picking on my brother. She decided I was guilty and put me back in prison for another 30 minutes. What has all this taught me? I’m not quite sure if it taught me anything. I’m still sociable. I still can’t sit still. And, I’m overly protective of my daughters. I must be a slow learner.

Three Reflection Questions:

1. What childhood behaviors of yours still show up in your adult life—and are they strengths in disguise?
2. Were there moments from your school years that shaped your current lifestyle or values more than you realized?
3. How might today’s education system respond differently to a child like your younger self?