Two weeks ago I returned to the mainland, only the be caught up in the hustle and bustle of purchasing necessities, cleaning an apartment overtaken by beetles over the past two months, preparing numerous lesson plans, and turning a bare classroom into the exciting Hawaiian paradise that it is now. However, when Sunday rolled around and those precious kids entered the campus, my heart jumped for joy and all the chaotic stress disappeared. “Ms. Matheny!” I would hear from across the lawn as students ran to their dorms.
We have been blessed here at Sun Valley this year. First of all, the weather is fantastic! We have had mostly sunny days, unlike last year’s lightning and rain storms. I would like some rain so those beautiful sunflowers will begin popping up along the highway. However, the sunshine is much appreciated as well. Numbers have also increased. We are at just above 50 students, our most recent high. Each student seems to be enthusiastic about learning and being here. Several new students (some first graders) have asked if they could stay forever because they don’t want to go home. Several of our students come from abusive backgrounds and homes filled with alcohol. Sun Valley is a haven for them.
This year I have a class of eight second and third graders. Four are second and four are third. My students have been very compliant this year. I only have one who is somewhat defiant and only one who refuses to do work. That is so much better than last year when I only had a couple out of ten who would stay on task. I was continuously focusing on just motivating my students.
This past week, we were in the classroom on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with field trips, used as a tool for getting to know our students better. My patience level has been very surprising. I have yet to raise my voice at a student. I am intentionally speaking in soft tones, smiling a lot, and taking my time as I get to know the abilities of my children. I truly believe this is only because of God’s hand being on my classroom.
On Tuesday, we took the entire school to Slide Rock down in Sedona. It was such a wonderful experience as several students had not yet seen this beauty. We spent several hours wading in the shallow bitter cold water, and sliding down the slick rocks. One kind gentleman even offered his tube to us for a while. That’s when I began giving children tube rides. It was a very good bonding experience. One moment however, that I will not forget, is when I looked over and saw a mom set her little girl on the slide. The girl was probably around four or five and I’m assuming that the mom was going to slide down with her, or at least catch her at the bottom, where the slide dipped into a five-foot deep swirling pool before continuing on. Next thing I knew, however, this girl was off. I glanced over and she had landed in the pool and was crying for help, head dunking under the water time and time again. Her arms were raised up. Mom started down the hill. With my being in the area I jumped in, grabbed the girl, and pulled her up, where her dad met me and took her into his arms. “Thank you. Thank you.” He said. I really surprised myself by immediately taking action. Later on, one of the other teachers commented on that moment. He stated that he saw that and it was pretty cool. It definitely makes you take a step back and see your real purpose with kids when events like that occur. It doesn’t matter if the children attend Sun Valley, or are complete strangers. God put me in a position to look over His little ones and I can do that no matter where I am or who I’m with.
On Wednesday, the first-fifth graders went to Flagstaff for a multi-stop adventure at the bowling alley, FoxGlenn park, Walnut Canyon, and Sonic on the way home. Several students had never had the experience of bowling before and were thrilled to try. The teachers decided to stop at Sonic in Winslow on our way home to get the kids happy hour slushes (only 50 cents!). I called in advance to let them know we were coming and as we pulled up, the clock struck 3:57. Happy hour ends at 4:00. I parked quickly, jumped out of the van, and ran to the counter. “Hi! I’d like 33 small Sonic Slushes please.” “And what flavors?” Oh dear! I had two minutes to get this order in and I had no idea what flavors the kids wanted. The lady at Sonic was so kind and helpful. She marked all 33 as cherry. As soon as the students exited the bus and walked over to the tables, I gave directions. “Okay boys and girls. You have four choices. If you want strawberry, sit at these two tables. If you’d like lemon sit at this table. If you’d like grape, sit at this table. And if you’d like blue powerade, sit at these two tables.” Immediately the children responded and orders were placed. While they were enjoying their treat, I went to get gas. Upon arrival, I was in awe! Each one of our 27 students was sitting on his or her bottom! It was a miracle!
I truly believe that God has had his hand on Sun Valley Indian School this past week. Yesterday, was the most hilarious of all. It was a day filled with a birthday, a funeral, and a snake encounter. Coredell was turning eight and, on my student’s birthdays, I allow them to choose any treat they would like to share with the class. Last year I even got a request for apple pie and ice cream! Coredell chose cupcakes and pickles (which Tammy so generously donated). It was such an odd combination…made me crack up as we enjoyed them. Then there was the funeral. In the morning, as we went to feed Sheldon Cooper (our betta fish), we discovered that he had passed. I just got him last Saturday! Anyways, my students, at recess, found a smooth red rock and wrote on it “Sheldon Cooper. Friday.” It was so stinkin’ cute! We decided to have the funeral service at lunch recess, 12:50. Mr. Bruce and the first graders were invited to join as we mourned. The students had dug a small hole, filled it with grass, put the tombstone in the ground, and made a cross by tying two sticks together with string. I scooped Sheldon Cooper up with a metal spoon and brought him out. Several students said some kind words. Then one first grader wanted to sing “Amazing Grace”! While Mr. Bruce and some students were singing, I tried to dump Sheldon into his hole. However, it was so hot, that his body stuck to the metal spoon! That’s when I lost it. I cracked up so hard that I began to cry. Part of Sheldon’s fins remained on the spoon after the burial was complete. It was so funny.
One last hilarious event of this past week occurred last night as I left my apartment to get my laundry out of the dryer. I walked out only to see a long snake. I yelled for Sandy, who then yelled for August. “Just a second! Keep your eye on it!” August replied. I watched as it slithered under my car. August asked me to back my car up. But, I was not about to get in my car when there was a snake right under! I gave him the keys and he opened my door. I took a running start and dove into the driver’s seat. As I backed up, the snake crawled up into the hood of my car and wrapped himself around the engine! We watched as he crawled throughout my Honda CR-V! I ran to get Kelly. I knew she’d enjoy this. After a good while of the car running, the snake decided it was too hot and slithered out. August spent several more minutes flipping him in the air until he was stunned enough to be thrown into the bucket.
I just want to say that life at Sun Valley is never boring. After an adventurous week, my Saturday will consist of going to the park in Holbrook for a picnic, followed by the pool. I am glad I decided to return this year. We’ll see what next week has in store. If I keep laughing this hard, I feel like my insides are going to fall out!
“The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” ~E.E. Cummings
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