Exceptional People

This week I have car duty. For a teacher this means I have to make sure parents pick up their children in an orderly fashion and that no one gets squished like grape.

I don’t mind the duty, but I do mind the doodie. I have found that our society is filled with “Exceptional People.” And by “exceptional people” I mean people that think they are the exception.  They seem to agree the rules are a good thing for other people, but that they should get special consideration … well simply because they are exceptional.  And everyone else is … well, not them.

Traffic isn’t rocket science. And while we all hate being inconvenienced from time to time, most of us suck it up, take our place in line and wait our turn.

Most of us. As became apparent the first time I did car duty 10 years ago, there are quite a few that think they are the exception to whatever rule is currently being enforced.

To the parent today that stopped 100 feet short of where I was directing her, I want to just say “I didn’t make up the system, and I don’t get sadistic joy out of making you drive up to some arbitrary line. I’m directing you up to this spot so more cars can pull up, more children can get in their respective car and the line can move quicker so we can all be at that better place. I know you’re child is special but when you blatantly ignore the teacher that is smiling and gesturing you to move forward you are communicating something very powerful to your child. And when I try to kindly remind you of the proper place to pull up and you roll your eyes and drive off, I just want you to remember the words of Jesus, ‘treat others like trash.’”

And to the other parent who violated a number of traffic and safety laws so that you could take your high priced car to the front of the line. I just want to say thank you. “Thank you for setting such a fine example for your child. For communicating to your child the level of respect others deserve and for your support of the school that educates your child. I’m sure such powerful actions can’t possibly come back to haunt you when your child is a teenager. I feel safe in saying that children learn more by what we tell them, then by our actions. So go ahead and talk the talk while you drive over people in the cross walk.”

While I know life can be frustrating and getting caught in school traffic so inconvenient, it is such a relief to know that we have those brave men and women willing to buck the trend and be “exceptional.”

Now in my brief moment of sanility before I hit the publish button, I do want to thank the majority of the parents at my school and at schools across the nation who do show teachers, crossing guards, and police officers respect and follow the rules.  Sometimes in my sarcasm I assume everyone can infer my true intent, but sometimes spelling CAT is a must.

More is caught then is taught.  The reason that being a parent is so hard is because it forces us adults to grow up and watch our behavior.  The “do as I say, not as I do” did not, will not and indeed has never worked.  So thank you to all the wonderful parents of my students who have led by example, made tough decisions, volunteered, supported and encouraged other teachers and myself over the years.  Your behavior is reflected in the wonderful young men and women blessed enough to call you mom and dad.

For those who believe they are the exception, now is the time to wake up and become exceptional in an authentic way.  Otherwise as the prophet Hosea stated some 3,000 years ago, you who sow the wind, shall inherit the whirlwind.  In simpler parlance, “you reap what you sow.”

In the end, if the majority of us do follow the rules, lead by example, respect appropriate authority, and give up our right to be the exception, then I believe our country will do alright.  What worries me is that if the “exceptional” people become the rule then we all will get squished like grape, and who knows what will happen to the children we are raisin.