July/August 2010
It's time to do something about 'Grumpy'
By Riney Jordan

Well, with the start of school just around the corner, we once again realize how quickly time flies. Something called summer vacation has been relegated to a few weeks between “staff development” and “family development,” and far too often, the family gets the short end of the deal.

I recently spoke to a large group of transportation administrators and bus drivers. Here are the folks who truly do set the tone for the students each morning. Got a grumpy bus driver? You’ll probably have that rub off on some kids.

On the other hand, if you have a driver who likes children, interacts with them and brightens their morning, you’ll unload a group of youngsters who, in all likelihood, will have a good start that day.

One driver came up to me following the presentation and said in a hushed voice, “I’m so glad you talked about grumpy bus drivers! I’ve got one who is so grumpy, the kids are afraid of him!”

This school year, no matter what your job in our public schools, vow right now to be upbeat, cheerful and thankful every day. The children are our “customers,” and they should be treated with the utmost respect and appreciation.

I know what you’re saying, “Oh, sure! But if you knew the kids we’ve got in our district, in our school, you’d understand why that doesn’t work!”

I recently visited the home of some youngsters in our church’s children’s program. Here were six children, ages 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 4. Two or three men had fathered these children; yet, the “father” who answered the door that day wasn’t the father of any of them. I flinched a bit, I’m sure, when he said, “…but we’re hoping to have one of our own before long.”

Several dogs and cats also occupied this place they called home. Most of the screens were missing from the windows and doors. Dirty dishes were stacked in the kitchen. Clothes were strewn all over the floor in what was apparently a bedroom for several of them. Neither of the adults worked at a steady job. Both were smoking during our visit; beer cans littered the front yard. The kids hovered around me as we talked, each child trying to speak louder than the other as they vied for my attention.

You get the picture. It is what I call “An American Tragedy,” and it’s too often perpetuated by ignorance, laziness, selfcenteredness and loss of any initiative. There’s plenty of blame to go around for these situations, but as the richest, most influential and powerful nation in the world, we’re failing far too many of our children.

As I drove away, a sick feeling lingered in my stomach. The school and the church might be the only hope these kids have. And if we don’t take our jobs seriously, we’re going to fail the children too.

So, let’s imagine what could happen if the youngsters from this environment get on your school bus this year. The driver just happens to be “Mr. Grumpy,” who treats them as if they don’t matter. When they get to school and go to the cafeteria for breakfast, the lady behind the counter ignores them or scowls as they pass. Once in the classroom, they sit behind a desk while the teacher, who has been burned out for years, begins shouting assignments and just dares them to say a word.

Tragic, isn’t it?

So be courageous and do what you know you have to do to change this scenario. As those who have been entrusted with the education, care and nurturing of children, we have no other choice.

Because, as I have so often quoted, “Kids don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.”

RINEY JORDAN, whose best-selling book, "All the Difference," is now in its sixth printing, is an international speaker and humorist. He can be reached at riney@htcomp.net or by visiting www.rineyjordan.com.