My Students/My Friends

In my long career as a teacher, thousands of students passed through my classroom. For a while–sometimes a semester, sometimes a few years–I got to see them almost every day, got to watch them make their way through the giddy, grueling, crazy maze of adolescence, got to listen to their hopes and heartaches, got to read their essays, got to know them as students of English and of life. It was, from start to finish, an absolute joy. From those who recoiled at the very thought of reading a poem to those who approached every assignment as a gift, they all ALL inspired and energized me. And then they moved on.

But some will always remain in the front row of my head and heart. Some have continued to inspire and energize me as they graduated into adulthood, entered relationships, started careers–Ehow Hawk Chen, Ashley Karitis, Emily Comerford, Patrick Carroll, Kelsey McClure, Whitney Swander, Alex Day, Juliet (JT) Mylan, Patty Garcia, and so many more (my front row is crowded!). I love these kids (grownups?), most of whom I rarely, if ever, see. Knowing that they’re in the world makes me happy.

The Voderbergs

When Catherine and I landed Auckland, after our long, long flight, one of these front-row former students was there to welcome us (at 6 in the morning!): Bryce Voderberg. At his wedding to another front-row kid, Natalie Olson, in 2019, it had been over 15 years since I had seen him. The smart, funny active boy from Mountain View High School hadcompleted college, moved to New Zealand, and started a career in the interim. Now he and Natalie are building a family and a life in Auckland, where their sincere, open-hearted generosity and kindness fit right in. Bryce picked us up at the airport (at about 6:00 a.m.!), drove us into town for my first incredibly NZ coffee, waited with us for the rental car agency to open, and helped me with options for phone use while traveling.

Auckland Farmers Market

The next morning we met Bryce, Natalie, and their almost-three-year-old, Jackson at the rainy farmer's market for coffee and pastries. Mingling with locals, buying some NZ olive oil to support a local boys choir, listening to the happy chatter of patrons who sampled wares at the market stalls, I started to get a feel for the easy-going small-town friendliness of New Zealand's largest city. And seeing Natalie with Jackson was heart-warmingly wonderful.

Although she wishes they were closer to family in the states, Natalie notes the huge benefits of raising a child in New Zealand. Starting with a completely supported pregnancy and delivery, to a week-long stay at the birth center, where new parents are housed and fed and helped with the basics of new baby care, to after-care at home--medical professionals came to her for routine baby checks and care--to universal pre-school which will begin when Jackson turns three-all paid for, for everyone, by the government--it is clear that families actually matter here. Add to that a nation-wide ban on semi-automatic and assault rifles, strict regulations of gun ownership, and a school-shooting history of zero, and the US does not seem so attractive. Natalie and Bryce feel (justifiably) safe with Jackson--in the city, in the parks, in the country, which gives them a chance to parent joyfully, instead of cautiously.

Getting to see these former students/current friends so happily integrated into the New Zealand culture and landscape, sharing a rainy morning (and later a sunny evening) with them was one of the true joys of my trip--a gift I will treasure.