When a Latin Class Becomes a Little Taste of Heaven
For my part-time job with Fellows, I work as a Teaching Assistant for the Dialectic and Rhetoric (D/R) school at Caldwell Academy. My days typically consist of subbing for teachers, covering the D/R front desk, grading papers, morning duty, prepping for upcoming events, etc. This job has been helpful to me as I am gaining professional experience working with students, better preparing me for future work in the field of Education. Though I love the professional growth I am obtaining, I also want to talk about the fun things I have gotten to do while working at Caldwell! I have gotten to attend the Caldwell vs. GDS game at the Greensboro Swarm Fieldhouse, watch the Rhetoric students do a polar plunge at Camp Weaver, decorate the D/R Office for Christmas, and watch the Grammar students trunk or treat. Caldwell has such sweet traditions and I love getting to be a part of them.
However, one of my favorite parts of this job has been getting to substitute teach for a 10th grade Latin class every Tuesday. I know, I know. You’re probably wondering, “Maddie, why do you enjoy a Latin class? And a class full of 10th graders? What?!” But I promise, if you spent just a few minutes with this class, you would love them too. One of the best parts about this class is that there are only 6 students in it (haha). Small classes are such a blessing. But, I would love these students even if they were in a class of 30 students. This class has some of the most funny, genuine, and kind high schoolers I have ever met. Of course they mess with each other like there is no tomorrow; joking about a student’s “outstanding” running ability or another student’s “quietness”. However, these students also care for and listen to each other. I really have never seen a group of high school students so quick to love each other so well.
This class is also so special to me because I started doing “compliment cards” with them. This was something my AP U.S. History teacher did with my class in high school and I thought it would be fun to try with these students because I am with them every week. The premise of “compliment cards” is that students anonymously write a compliment or a way that they appreciate another student in class. I then read the anonymous compliments out loud to the class. All of the compliments are then collected and put in an envelope. At the end of the year each student gets an envelope full of all of the compliments they have received! I honestly was so worried sharing this idea with the students, worrying that they’d think the idea was lame or childish. However, they jumped right on board and they ask about doing them every class period!
My original motivation with these cards was to let these students feel loved in the midst of their busy, typically a little stressful days. However, these cards have come to take on a much larger meaning. The blessing in these cards has been students being able to give love, rather than just receive love. I have slowly seen the Spirit grow these students in their ability to reflect on and put into words how they are encouraged by each other. They truly represent and have grown in their understanding of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” I have also seen my own increasing desire be present in each moment and observant of how the Holy Spirit is moving around and through me. Most of the time I catch the Holy Spirit in hindsight, but I am thankful to know He is moving even when I don’t realize it. And man, is the Holy Spirit moving in this class! I pray that these students would know that these cards, though sweet, are nothing compared to how much love the Father has for them. This class is truly and honestly a little taste of Heaven.
With a grateful heart,
Maddie Ridgill <3
P.S. I still don’t know a lick of Latin.