What's your name, man?

Alex. Today I have the joy of introducing you to Alex. This one has taken me some time to put together. It will probably be too long but there is no possible way to truly describe him in one post. So I will do my best to give you an overview.

I met Alex when he was in 7th grade. He was funny, brilliant, charismatic and confident. He was friends with everyone, not confined to any one particular group as so many middle schoolers are, and this extended to students and adults alike. He knew how to talk to people, he had a great sense of humor and he had the gentle confidence to back it up (he still does). This actually made him hard for me to read…sometimes it still does. Kids like this intimidate me more than any other type of kid. I’m not supposed to say that. I’m supposed to pretend that no kid intimidates me but that simply isn’t true. Give me a “troubled” kid and I’m in my wheelhouse. Give me a confident, funny, social butterfly and I’m not always totally sure what to do. But I liked Alex right away. There’s no way not to. As the year progressed I started to realize his interest in history. He would ask insightful questions, participate and be really engaged. Having him in my class made my job so much more fun.

One day I went to watch Alex in a drama performance. When I showed up, the lady who took my ticket said, “You’re Ms. Laird!” I wasn’t sure if this was good or bad…”Yes? I am…” “You are the reason my son wants to be a history teacher!” I was caught off guard…this was news to me. I inquired and learned that Alex had apparently decided this was what he wanted to do now. And his parents seemed to attribute some of that to me. I really had no idea he even liked my class that much so I was humbled to be any part of this. That day I sparked a friendship with Alex’s parents. They were incredibly gracious, encouraging, supportive and absolutely hilarious. I immediately understood Alex on a different level. He was being loved, supported and parented beautifully. His confidence made sense to me now. Alex’s parents have since become cherished friends. My life is better for having this whole family in it.

From about that point on, Alex became my buddy. Some days he’d hang out with his friends, listening to music, playing basketball or throwing paper airplanes at people. On several summer days he showed up with friends to help me pack and move classrooms, totally voluntarily. And other days he would sit and chat with me in the middle of my crowded classroom…about the history lesson I’d taught that day, about basketball, about music…about life. I honestly treasured every conversation.

Alex was in 8th grade with me last year when the whole world shut down. I knew I would see him again because, like I mentioned, I’m friends with the family now. But I also knew our time to have those chats wouldn’t be the same. I wasn’t sure whether this would bother him at all or if he’d even notice, but I knew I would. He’s just one of those special kids who comes along and changes your world for the better. The kind who give you hope that the world might be okay after all.

Alex is a freshman now and he’s absolutely thriving in high school…no surprise there. He is still the same funny, brilliant, sarcastic, confident kid I met in 7th grade. He is still fairly guarded and stoic when he wants to be. He is still insightful, kind-hearted, considerate and deep thinking. And I don’t think I could possibly be more proud of him. Students rarely stick with the careers they think they want to do in middle school so I have no idea what he will decide to do with his life. Maybe he’ll teach history? He’d be the absolute best. Maybe he’ll be a pro sports trainer? Maybe a marine biologist? His possibilities are endless. But what I can say with 100% confidence is that whatever he decides to do, he will make the world around him a better place. His positive impact will have a ripple effect. And I will be honored to have been a part of his life.

So there you have it…some insight into one of the mysteriously confident ones. The funny, bright, social butterfly who is really just a normal kid who has been loved really well and is still trying to figure himself out…just like all the rest of us. The kid who gives us hope that the next generation is going to be okay. This is Alex. And I wish you all the joy of knowing him.

- KL