The Complaint Teachers Love to Hear

There was a buzz of activity in the computer lab in the library at Le Moyne College.  Students typed furiously, their notes and textbooks spread around them.  It's the last week of classes and papers and labs and exams loom over the young people working industriously in the brightly lit room.  No less industrious are two young girls, each at their own terminal, focused and intent.  They confer with one another from time to time, but mostly pound the keys in silence.  They are also working to complete a project -- but there is no deadline, no assignment, no grade.  They are doing this for themselves.  I point out a writing convention here or there, suggest an elaboration, but mostly watch in amazement as these young people create.  Finally I say the words so many students live to hear, "Okay, save that document.  It's time to go."

And they groan.  "Do we have to?!?" they whine, almost in unison.  And that's it.  That's the moment every teacher yearns for.  A student so delighted in learning, in reading and writing, that she doesn't want to stop -- even though the darkening night is turning cold and there are cookies and punch waiting in the other room.  Parents are coming to pick them up.  Dinner and relaxation await them at home.  But they want to stay here, under the fluorescent lights, and write.

I pry them from their computers and we gather with the other students to tie up our last meeting of LEAP for the year.  The cookies are quickly devoured and one of the youngest girls wins the trivia contest and gets to be the scribe for a collectively written thank you note for donors.  Here's what they wrote:

"Thank you for donating money to LEAP because we are grateful to have something to look forward to when we come.  We are also grateful for the books, binders, pens, markers, paper, and flipcharts.  We are in different groups.  One group is making an anti-bullying packet for our schools.  Another group is doing a play on child abuse.  The last group is writing a novel.  We couldn't do it without your help.  Sincerely, LEAP!"

Our scribe writing the thank you letter, with lots of helpers leaning in.

To be in a room with such earnest young people, working hard on projects they care about, is an honor and a privilege.  Let me add my thank you to theirs for all the support you've given LEAP over the years.  (And if you haven't yet had that privilege, there's a "Donate Now" button above!)  And let me add my complaint to theirs, as well.  Do we have to take a break until January!!?!  Can't wait for the New Year.