First message
Colin hops on the charter bus, his clipboard in hand... checking off the students he recognizes, reading off the names he's not familiar with. He smiles, running his fingers through his thick hair. He makes eye contact with each student who gets on the bus. Maybe memorizing faces... maybe letting them know silently that he's watching and paying attention. Several of the boys hit him with fist bumps as they all joke around. Everyone loves Mr. Givens
Once everyone is aboard and attendance is taken, he read the bus rules, declares himself the bus captain and you're under way to DC. It's 8 hrs today, overnight in a hotel, 8 hrs tomorrow. Three days and 4 nights in DC, 8 hrs, hotel, 8 hrs home, he explains.
Hey look, I'm not here to kill your buzz or your vibe or whatever yall call it. Follow the rules and we're good. If you need something call or text my mobile, you all have the number. If you need a sympathetic ear, I'm available. Enjoy the ride!
He sits in a seat four rows in front of you for the first hour. Then works his way back to sit across the aisle from you. He looks over smiling kindly... Doing ok so far? He asks innocently.