Educationally Speaking -- Gay Geiser-Sandoval

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 GGSesq1@aol.com.