Part of a Team . . .

For many years I have begged my mom and dad to allow me to
play football. There were many reasons that they said no, but
the most important one for my mom was that she did not want me to get hurt.

This year, Mom and Dad finally said that I could play for Vienna Youth. I was having some trouble at practice because I really did not know what to do. The day before the first game, I told my dad that the team, the Vienna Wolfpack, did not have a good kicker and that I knew that I could do that correctly. My dad encouraged me, and I told the coaches at the end of practice. That night they spent over an hour working with me and saying, “Where has Zachary been?”
The season began. There were problems. But every time the snap and the hold were right, I would put the ball right in the middle of the goalpost! It was exciting to be a part of a winning team, but most of all, it was great to be the one who could make a difference.
Not only did the Vienna Wolfpack win the championship, but we won a tournament and received the biggest trophy at awards night. I have loved my life as a soccer player, basketball player, swimmer and diver. But there is something very special about being on the football team — especially being the kicker and helping the team to win!

— Zachary Rawlinson, age 13

. . . and Test for a Teen

My friends are always asking about how I like my mom being a
teacher. I have always answered that it is okay with me. This
year has really been a test though.

Because my mom is a teacher who specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities, she often team teaches in her other specialty area — social studies. This school year, I was shocked to find out that my mom was going to be in my 10th grade-World Studies II class. When she asked me how I felt about her being my teacher, I didn’t say anything for a few minutes. I didn’t want to hurt my mom by quickly saying, “No way!”

Then I thought about it and said to my mom: “You are a very hard teacher. You are sometimes mean to your students when they don’t do what you ask them to do. How are you going to treat me? Will you yell at me? Can I think about it for a day?” My mom said that she was still thinking about it, too. We said that we would talk about it the next day.
We both decided to try this very new and unusual situation out for a few weeks. She promised she would treat me the same as any other student, and we promised to talk to each other if there were any problems.

My mom (and the other teacher, Mr. Brooks Baggett) are a fantastic team. They are both from the “Deep South,” and were born and raised only about 1 1/2 hours from each other. They both love teaching, especially social studies. Mr. Baggett is the lead teacher most of the time, but my mom is the one who makes sure that everyone is paying attention, staying on task.

Who would have believed that something so strange and unusual would be so positive? My mom has always been a great teacher at home. Now, she is my teacher at school. And to think that I almost said that I wanted to be put into another class. I am so glad that I made the right decision to stay in what has become my favorite class this year.

— Stuart Rawlinson, age 15