A former lst grader posted the following recently. Let me tell you about her – Suellen. She was a first grader in my class along with Philip whom I had memorialized a few weeks ago. I had published my first book of poetry then and made a big splash in the papers with a one page story in the Advertiser because in the 70’s, it was still unusual for a poet of Japanese ancestry to go so public. Even the mayor sent flowers to my signing. In fact, one of the judges in the Circuit Court was heard to say, “No Japanese man will ever date her now.”
During all the buzz at the signing I felt someone in the corner of the bookshop. It was Suellen. She shyly came to me and began to empty her pocket of coins, wanting to buy my book. She didn’t have enough so I added my own. A complete stranger who had flown in from Oahu after reading my story in the paper, was also standing in the back of the room and murmured, “My god, this is so beautiful.” Suellen had made his day and mine.
The following is what Suellen posted on FB:
This is my first grade teacher Frances Kakugawa. She was such a favorite to me and a most loving person. I am so glad to have reconnected with someone who was such a role model and inspired me. Certain Teachers really made you feel like they care about you and she certainly did. Waiakea Elementary School, at age 6… (49 years ago) she remembers me! I just loved her!
It takes so little, doesn’t it, Frances? When I taught 1st grade I noticed that some of my students didn’t even know it was their birthday. I thought they have never received any mail, so I started sending b.d. cards with a note. During the 7 years I taught 1st grade I never stopped sending cards unless they moved and I didn’t have their address. When I quit teaching I continued sending cards.
During the Vietnam war I wrote letters to my students fighting there. It was such a little thing to do and it seems to have meant so much. Many of my former 1st graders are now grandparents. They have found me on facebook. Some of them have come to visit or to take me and my husband to lunch. Such a little act of love with huge payoff.
I hope our stories of our students are still being created in today’s classrooms, Elva…without the humanity that is attached to the teaching and learning, the classroom can become a sterile place. I worry that they are teaching tests and curriculum instead of students.