I am taking a touristy vacation. I have an uncle who is only 8 years older than me. We grew up like cousins except that he is a genius. A true savant. He loves history and will be coming to the Holy City to visit with me and play tourist. But more than likely, even though he has never been here before, Kenny will be telling the tour guides a thing or too. Once in elementary school math class, he was staring out the window daydreaming or bored or both. The teacher tried to entice him back into the group. Without looking back, Kenny gestured to the chalk board and said, “you made an error in the second equation, the answer is 18”.

Imagine if he had been born in a different time. Had a different school experience. I am reading A Dancer in Wartime. About a girl living through the Blitz to become a dancer and the force behind the Broadway productions of Cats and Phantom of the Opera. There is a story circulating on the internet about her. She was in trouble in school because she couldn’t sit still. An advocating person knew that Gillian was a dancer and needed more time to move about instead of being chastised for doing so.

Stories like this, my relationship with Kenny, and my own school experiences inspired me to become a teacher. It is this time of year, Kenny’s impending visit, and an invite to my 40th high school reunion that have conjured up much reflection.