Chapters 11 and 12

"When I was severed from the school, I knew I had lost a relationship of infinite and timeless value, and one that I would never know again." (Conroy, 2006, p.318)

            I could imagine the surprise that Conroy encountered with he found out that he would not return to the island for the next school year. It is sad that a teacher who had worked so hard to help the academic growth of the children of the Yamacraw Island was dismissed from his position. Mrs. Brown wanted to see Conroy gone from the school. Conroy, despite the challenges he had on commuting to the island still never took his frustration out on the children. Mrs. Brown was constantly beating the children and dominating over their every word. The parents and the people on the island knew that Conroy was needed and wanted on the island. They formed a petition telling about why Mr. Conroy was late and how he was wanted by the children. Conroy's teaching impacted not only the children but the whole island. "When I was severed from the school, I knew I had lost a relationship of infinite and timeless value, and on that I would never know again. (Conroy, 2006, p.318) Conroy knew that he had a bond with the children that was irreplaceable. At the ending of the book, Conroy seems to look at the situation that Mr. Bennington and Piedmont did not understand what and how the people on Yamacraw island felt. These two men had pleasant homes and lived in comfort, not realizing the uncomfortable situation that the people of Yamacraw lived. He seen Mr. Bennington and Piedmont as nothing but racist people. Conroy viewed Mrs. Brown as a tragedy being a woman victimized by her own insecurity. Conroy felt that Mrs. Brown wanted to fit in to and to be accepted by whites. Even though Conroy felt that within the year he did not impact the quality of the lives of the children, I feel that he made a great difference. I am sure that the children hurt losing Conroy as much as Conroy hurt losing them. 

Conroy, P. (2006). The Water Is Wide. New York, NY. Bantam Dell.

Chapter 9 and 10

"Somehow my days on the island seemed numbered and I grew restless and impatient with the sluggish pace of learning in the classroom."

                It seems that teachers are forever wondering what else can be done or changed to excel the academics for children. It is not that teachers rush the children along with the learning process, they feel that they can do more to reach every child and for every child to move forward. Conroy was the same as any other teacher with expectations for his children. He wanted the children to know more not even just in the academic rim. However, Conroy was growing tired and he knew that he needed more resources and help. "Somehow my days on the island seemed numbered and I grew restless and impatient with the sluggish pace of learning in the classroom." (Conroy, 2006, p.262) He had taken the boys to see the Globetrotters and his wife had hosted a Valentine party, but he was searching for something more. He even loaded the children up and went to Washington. The lines that divided the streets only brought to his attention how much more these children were needing and how isolated they have been. Conroy searched for so many ways to reach the children. He even taped his friend's voice, Dick Caristi, from Boston to do a lesson. Boston was identified on the map and the children were explained how their language sounded different as well. Conroy's sister visited the island and did magic tricks. It was funny when the children claimed she was a witch. So many things that the children had not been exposed to and so many things that Conroy knew lacked at the school. Saul when visiting the Globetrotters used the bathroom in public. He didn't think anything about if it was inappropriate or would it offend anyone. He did it because that was what the boys on the island did when they felt the urge to go. Conroy was battling with the thoughts of  what more could he do to help the children.

Conroy, P. (2006). The Water Is Wide. New York, NY: Bantam Dell.