Educationally Speaking -- Gay Geiser-Sandoval
- Share via
As I was rummaging around for my sandals, I came across a special pair
of shoes. They look a lot like other shoes in my closet, made out of
leather. But, they have special meaning. They came to me as a Mother’s
Day gift when my kids were little tykes.
The deal was that sons or daughters had to say, in word or song, what
was so good about their mom. First prize was a free pair of shoes for
your mom. So, here were my daughters, then about 6 and 3, with their
pseudo-rap music video, entertaining all in the shoe department, with
self-produced sounds, words and moves about their mother.
Although they haven’t won me any other shoes, they have been
entertaining me ever since. In the course of two weeks, my daughter in
high school will be singing six times, as well as acting as a mistress of
ceremonies for the Mr. Mesa contest.
My special Mother’s Day gift is a chance to see my older daughter, who
is at Stanford, perform in her spring show with her a cappella group,
Mixed Company. They use their voices to produce all of the musical
instrument sounds, just like she did to win the free shoes. You just
never know what special skills you will need in college.
I wanted to share my thoughts about Mother’s Day with you but
originally thought I shouldn’t because I write an education column. “What
do mothers have to do with education?” I thought. Upon reflection, the
answer is: “everything.”
Who is a child’s first and primary educator? A teacher may instruct on
dangling participles, but who teaches you the nuances of wiping your
bottom? A teacher may pontificate on the theory of relativity, but who
teaches you to want to stand on your own two feet? A teacher may show you
the intrigues of Shakespeare, but who teaches you the delight of blowing
apart a dandelion puff?
As kids get to school age, mothers become the teacher’s partner. Moms
listen to the story being read aloud, sign the permission slips, make the
lunches and procure the stuff for the project that was forgotten until
bedtime the night before it is due. They comfort the hurts obtained on
the playground, both physical and emotional. They encourage the child
scared to give a book report, or transport the pet for Show and Tell.
They learn spelling words, multiplication tables, state capitals, and
foreign languages as they assist in drilling their children for tests.
Obviously, there is nothing gender-specific about these tasks and,
sometimes, in some families, dads do all of these things. But, as a
general rule, moms are the ones who perform all of these tasks, as well
as providing the impetus for many kids to succeed in their education. How
many times have you heard someone getting their college or postgraduate
degree say they couldn’t have done it without their mom’s encouragement?
For aren’t moms the ones we want to be proud of us? She is the one who
always believes in her son or daughter, even when others don’t.
Almost all religions believe that all humans started with one mother.
Even science suggests that, genetically, we all have the same original
mother at our ancestral roots. It is exhilarating for me to think that I
belong to this long line of mothers who will educate their children about
how to care for themselves, the Earth and the next generation.
So, thank you, Mom, for providing me with the tools to pass along this
process to my own daughters. Thank you, daughters, for making me believe
in the future.
Thank you to all of the volunteers being recognized by our Harbor
Council PTA as Honorary Service Award winners this week. Most of them are
moms.
* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column runs
Tuesdays. She may be reached by e-mail at [email protected].
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.