One week ago was the first day I permitted myself to peruse a letter handed me on the last day of a two-week Safer Routes to School Bike Safety Education program at Rigler Elementary.  The name alone was enough to tickle my "awww" instinct– "To: Jonathan's Crew."  The day I received it I was busy–hastily throwing together a second community ride for my two classes of Rigler Elementary Students after another weather-person's false alarm had forced us to bump up our ride to before I thought they were ready.

Maybe they weren't before, but our two final days were unforgettable.

All those days I was unsure they were getting it…all those quixotic attempts to communicate with 35 students past rain and an overcrowded playground of children possessed of the urgent lunacy that only recess brings.  Other days, when I was forced inside to teach right-of-way and other rules of the road–despite brief sunshine because every other day of "rain" had proved at least a half-lie.  It being my first time flying alone, I stumbled–maybe fell a few times.  I was not sure they were (or I was) ready for them to dance with cars–but Oregon weather forces flexibility on us.

Thursday, Mayday, was gorgeous.  Our ride was gorgeous.  A couple kids jostled. Another couple raced ahead or dragged.  But out of sixty kids, at least 59 3/4 proved to me they knew what they were doing–including several who were shakey or non- riders at the start.  They proved me flat out wrong.

Friday would be rainy.  That meant indoor activities on our last day–a bit of anti-climax but do-able.  Friday arrived–and…no rain.  One of several heroic co-instructors (without whom I could never have made it through our ten days of mayhem and glory)recommended that we ride again… And we did.  A second day of glory.  A second day my–our..The kids could prove how much they had learned.

But what they really learned–the greater part–perhaps us instructors could never have taught them {and neighter could their teachers, parents, administrators, or even friends}.  They had matured, grown more independent, and clearly far more excited with school, the outdoors, learning, and their own abilities.  For my part, in my first Bike Safety class, I learned at least as much as the kids.  Having taught before, but not recently and not bike safety, alone I struggled and fought.  With practice, I gained confidence, & with help, reflection, and critique, I am now prepared.  Rereading the signatures on our thankyou note, I am touched-but also amazed:
–with every child who has grown as a cyclist, learner, and individual
–with my fellow instructors and I, who have had the chance to inspire another generation, just as I and many of us were inspired by equally imperfect learning role models
–and with the tremendous progress I am seeing in Portland and education since my elementary school experience [when we ate less healthy food, never biked or gardened, and spent all day inside] or High school, where I was one of two or three that biked with any consistency.  I applaud our instructors, our school teachers, staff of the BTA and other organizations with like missions, and all those who are working to recraft how our kids learn, play, see and transport themselves (especially supportive parents and volunteers).  Without all these people–and of course kids like my wonderful, awing kids at Rigler Elementary (and all the rest at other schools)–I would have much less faith and hope in people and far less cause for pride in my home–the Rose City, stumptown, Portland.

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