You might say the LOOP was started in this beautiful building, a Escola Amarela (Yellow School), also known as the Escola das Raparigas (Girls School) in Leiria, Portugal. My elementary school, the place of hop-scotch, jumping fences, multiplication tables memorized with the “help” of a paddle, faulty fountain pens, weekly compositions and… no boys! All very nice and proper, with Mrs. Maria Amelia running a very tight ship. Of course we also had the occasional surprise visit of the “book police” to ensure our elementary school was being managed in the best interest of the Nation.
What I remember best about April 25, 1974 (the day when Portugal became a democracy after 48 years of fascist dictatorship) is Mrs. Maria Amelia smiling and crying at the same time, telling us that “everything will be better” and that there would be no school the rest of the week! Smiling and crying, clearly relieved, even if her 4th graders could hardly understand the impact of the military parade taking place outside our windows!
I did graduate elementary school, earlier than previously expected, probably because unstable political times make for unstable schools… I also managed to muddle through junior-high and high-school in an ever-changing political landscape. I realized I was on my way through the LOOP when I was finally assigned to my first student-teaching placement at the elementary level, and was placed in Mrs. Maria Amelia’s 2nd grade classroom. When she looked at me with something akin to glee in her eyes I knew that if I could make it through a semester in her classroom I was well on my way through the LOOP!!
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