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Helping Young Minds Soar

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By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

WEST MEADOWS - Clark Elementary students' jaws dropped when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement helicopter approached to make a landing on the school's baseball field last week.

"It's going to land right now," shouted kindergartner Danny Meyering. "I can hear it."

"Whoa," exclaimed Cotton Billett, another kindergartner.

The copter's arrival was part of the Great American Teach-In held Nov. 14 at schools across the nation. Doctors, lawyers, bakers, military personnel and law enforcement officers were among those who stopped by to talk to students at Clark. There were 125 speakers; most were parents.

Children oohed and aahed from a safe distance as the helicopter doors opened and men emerged to greet the crowd. Senior Special Agent Carroll Grant waved to his 5-year-old son, Steven.

"My kids have always been interested in what I do every day," he said. "I thought it would be fun for them to see."

Grant began the presentation by introducing his pilot, Agent Stephen Hill. Hill waved, too, but left the rest to his co-worker.

"My kids are grown," he said. "I've done this. Now, it's Grant's turn."

Grant explained his often-intense and gritty job in a child-friendly way.

"I work for the Department of Homeland Security," he said. "I put the bad guys in jail."

"Do you have guns?" a student asked.

"Yes, but we only use them if it's absolutely necessary," Grant replied. "It's not like in the movies."

Another Teach-In speaker, Bayflite medic Kevin Smith, also spends his days in the air. He spoke to his daughter's fourth-grade class about how helicopters help save lives in record time. It was his third year to attend the event.

"It's kind of becoming a tradition," he said. "The Teach-In gives kids a lot of different choices for the direction they want to go in life."

Smith didn't bring his copter this year but came out to see Grant's presentation.

"I heard it coming and was drawn to it," he said.

The children were equally excited to see the inside of the aircraft. As Grant talked, they peered inside the cockpit. They asked unique and surprising questions.

"What's in your backpack?" a student asked, referring to a black bag inside the helicopter that contained nothing of importance.

Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, first-grade classes gathered to meet a professional horse trainer. Nicole Lane, who trains horses and dogs in Valrico, brought two dogs and two horses with her to the school. The children eagerly awaited her arrival.

"I like watching the horses jump," said first-grader Tyler McCormick.

Lane began her presentation by introducing Brinks, a black Labrador retriever she rescued a month ago. She asked him to sit, but the dog refused. The children laughed.

"You're embarrassing me, Brinks," Lane said, shaking her head.

It was all part of the act.

"Each of the animals I brought is at a different stage in the learning process," Lane said. "I try to teach the children why it's important to always be learning."

The children were all smiles as Starbucks, a 1-year-old horse, demonstrated her abilities. Lane showed how Starbucks jumps when startled. Then, Drama, a 4-year-old horse, showed off his advanced knowledge; he remained calm.

The children sat up on their knees to get a better look.

"Wow," Brandon Jaen said.

Before saying goodbye, Lane gave the students some food for thought.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a trainer like me or a doctor or a lawyer," she said. "It's not that important what you are; it's who you are."

Preparing to climb back into their helicopter and fly away, Grant and Hill encouraged the children they spoke with to follow their dreams.

"I wish we could do this every day," Hill said. "Maybe we could change the world."

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at srothwell@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-4845.

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