The teacher: ‘André (9) has not yet danced or sang along at the disco all evening’

Friday night, the superstructure disco. ‘Will I come home or will I stay the night?’ Moon and Snel blare from the loudspeakers in our gym. All the children sing along. My students are the youngest of the group, but certainly not the least enthusiastic, I note with a certain pride. Then my eye falls on André (9), who is walking to the toilet. He hasn’t danced or sang along all evening.

worried child

André, named after André Hazes junior, is my problem child. His father John, a construction supervisor, is on disability benefit, he has brain damage after falling from a scaffolding. André’s mother Lola tries to help as a cleaning lady, but that is not easy because she is an alcoholic. She has trouble getting to work on time and not smelling of booze. Last month André cried in class. Because his mother was fired again.

The world on his shoulders

André is fat, unkempt. He always walks with his head down. As if he carries the whole world on his shoulders. He’s very smart, even if he doesn’t think so. I gave him up for a group for children who learn extra well and get extra work. Because I want him to believe it. And he has a sense of humor. I can joke with him, tease him a little. Not too bad, I’m not hazing it. But when he rushes through an essay, I say sarcastically: “Well, you wrote that neatly again”, even though it doesn’t look right. Then he gives a sly smile. I love him.

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Lecture

Two weeks ago, the ticket sale for the disco started, for one euro. André informed me that he would not participate. The only one. “I have my speech the Tuesday after the disco, miss. I have to prepare that,” he stated. “Then we will postpone it for a week”, I said. “I want you to come, or else I’ll come get you.”

“I have my speech the Tuesday after the disco, teacher. I have to prepare it.”

A moment later he came to me with paper and pen. I think it’s good that André is not giving a lecture on Tuesday, it said. If I want to put my signature on it. I did that. I immediately started a pedagogical conversation. “What are you going to give your talk about?” I asked. “I don’t know yet, miss,” he said. “What do you like?” I asked. “Minecraft,” he said. “But that’s probably not possible.” “Why not?” I asked. “If you like that. I’m fine with it, even if you put it on your big toe.” He laughed.

Dancing

Today André is at the disco. That feels like a win. But he doesn’t join the other kids. I walk to the boys’ bathroom, where I find him washing his hands neatly. “Come on, let’s go dancing, André”, I say. “No, miss,” he replies. “I don’t want to dance. But I’ve stayed so far. That’s good isn’t it?” I don’t have that back. Then he asks: “Teacher, can I also give my talk about my little toe?” We burst out laughing together. What a nice boy he is, I think. He’ll get there whether he dances or not.

This article appears in Kek Mama 14-2021.

More stories from The Teacher? Every Wednesday there is a new episode on KekMama.nl. Read the previous episodes here.