Lucy
Lucy is an eager and competitive 4th grader. She's on the smaller side for her age and her blonde hair and slight build don't scream star athlete at first glance. From the start of the new calendar year, she joined the soccer players at recess, battling to defend one of two goals marked by a mismatched set of four, slowly disintegrating cones. Preferring to play goalie, Lucy mostly uses her hands and arms but will occasionally make a run forward and get some soccer touches on her feet. As the coach and referee, I was soon confident she could safely play with our group and have an outlet at recess. Around the same time, I was joined on the field by another adult. Several teachers and aids are always present outside with me at school, but rarely do they make their way onto the soccer field where ridicule and blame could quickly follow being in the wrong place. I inquired to this new teacher/coach, "What do you help the school with?" "Oh, I'm Lucy's aid!...