Tales of a fifth grade nothing

So I have this student. His name is Wakinyan (wah-kee-ya). He is wonderful, pretty much as wonderful as they come in fifth grade. He is petite with this mop of unruly black hair and huge eyes that fill up his half saucer of a face and make him look a little like a big sad puppy. Obviously with looks like these he isn't the ladies man he may want to be or the sports star or even the funny guy. Nope Wakinyan is the brain and everybody knows it. He is the answer guy, the "let's make him do that job because we know he will" guy. Basically me in elementary school (minus the guy part). I'll share some funny stories about him and then I'll tell you why I think he is crucial to understanding American society.

Story #1

Wakinyan: everybody get in line
Everybody: shut up Wakinyan
Me: apologize, we don't say shut up guys
evebody: sorrreeeee (snickering, "not", etc.)
Me: Wakinyan you may be line leadeer today since you are the only one who seems to know what a line is
Wakinyan: They didn't mean it Ms. Scali, please don't put them in the choky!
Me (in my head): IM THE TRUNCH BULL! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!

Story #2

ME: now everyone remember, put your great ideas in your magic bag,mix them up and pull a few out. This will help our stories be less like memories and more creative, which is what we are working on today.

5 minutes later

Me: Wakinyan why are you shaking your head like that? (he violently slams his head back and forth)

Wakinyan: You told us to mix up our ideas, I'm trying to be EXTRA creative! But my ideas just keep getting dizzy!

Me: brain damage isn't creativity...

Obviously a special little guy.

So, why Wakinyan? I have many other funny students. Why share him with the blogoshpere? I think Wakinyan, and his role in my classroom is a perfect microcosm for the problem we seem to be facing in today's political arena. Every congressperson, president, judge and official were once fifth graders. How many do you think were the brains? I'm guessing very few. Most were probably the sports stars, the class clowns, the ones teachers smile and shake their head at. The ones who beat up the Wakinyan's after school and made them do their homework. There is always a Wakinyan, even in today;s government, a grunt who does the work because he is "weaker" then the rest. You learn it the minute you go to school on day one. 'I don't have to do this work, someone will do it for me!" The government is full of people who have learned in the school system that there will always be someone else to answer the questions. Someone "smart" will feel bad for the teacher while she stands up there waiting and that student will be the only one practicing one of the most important skills one leaves school with: problem solving.

American parents and teachers PLEASE-don't let the next batch of governors beat up the next batch of aides behind the school. Everyone has the ability to problem solve, leave the social politicking for later in life and answer some questions before it's too late.