An interview with a Muppet

Education notes


Pam Cartwright

Pam Cartwright

This school year has been my first year as the Elementary and Middle School counselor for Port Aransas ISD. This year has really been a blessing, filled with lots of new experiences and wonderful new friends who have welcomed me into the school district and the community with smiling faces and open arms. One of the most amazing parts of my transition to PAISD has been the acceptance and adoption into the community of my loyal sidekick and friend, Marlee Marlin.

For those readers of the Jetty who do not know, Marlee Marlin is a pale blue Muppet with large eyes, long eyelashes and a trout mouth. She is famous around H.G. Olsen Elementary School for her blueberry bites and silly antics.

I asked Marlee what I should write about for this article and she immediately responded, “Interview me, of course.”

So, unable to think of a better topic, here we are.

Marlee arrived to the interview 30 seconds early, her hair in her signature pigtails and sporting her infamous custom OES T-shirt. She “sat” down on my desk (since she doesn’t have legs) and in a huff asked if we could hurry this up because she had an urgent appointment with some first graders to read a very important story.

I complied.

First, I asked Marlee what has been her favorite part of our new school.

“Well, Ms. Cartwright, I was hoping you would ask that. I believe my favorite part of our new school has been the fact that everyone loves me even though I’m blue. People don’t always accept people (or Muppets) who are a little different. However, the staff, teachers, administration and students have been so welcoming and helpful to the new blue girl, ya know? And everyone really does their part to make the school district the best it can be. The teachers, administration and staff are always working and striving to provide the best possible education for the students. Also, the students work earnestly to learn their lessons and consequently, are some of the smartest children I’ve ever met – with the brightest of futures!”

“Thank you, Marlee. What is your favorite part of the school day?” I asked.

“Lunch,” she said. “I like visiting with all the nice smiling students and stealing bites of their lunches when they aren’t looking.”

(It should be noted that I chastised Marlee severely for thieving the students’ lunches while they weren’t looking and she has since promised to not steal any more bites.)

The interview continued when I asked Marlee what she thought was the best thing about moving to Port Aransas. She replied:

“I think it is amazing how involved the community is in supporting their schools. The overwhelming support from various community organizations into the welfare of their school system is really revolutionary and I think makes Port Aransas ISD the best school district not just in this area, but everywhere!”

Marlee reminded me that she had a very urgent appointment with some first graders so I asked my final question: “What is your favorite day of the week?”

“Definitely Friday! I get to go out and greet all my favorite Marlins on Friday when they’re being dropped off at school. I get such a chuckle seeing all the parents that still have bed head!”

I realized then that it was best to end the interview before Marlee embarrassed me further with her colorful responses. However, I must admit to agreeing with much of what she said (minus stealing bites of students’ lunches and parental bed head). In my short time here, I’ve really appreciated how Port Aransas makes education its top priority. Marlee and I both look forward to continuing to help our students grow and learn.

Pam Cartwright is the guidance couselor at H.G. Olsen Elementary School and Brundrett Middle School.


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