Jim is the perfect candidate for a student field trip. He loves kids and he loves airplanes. The school van arrived around 11 a.m. Ms. McAlister and company slowly disembarked from the van and made their way to the terminal building under the guidance of McAlister and Henkel. Jim had the kids sit around a circular table where they introduced themselves one at a time.

Each student was allowed to select a summer name (SN) for the summer class. There was Jeff, SN Jeff Gordon; Desiree, SN Lizzie McGuire; Adam, SN Dale Jr.; Amber, SN Hannah Montana; Jared, SN Captain; and Ansley, SN Gabriella.

Jim asked if anyone had ever flown in an airplane. Most had flown on commercial planes but none had ever “seen” a small aircraft. That was his cue to march out to the tarmac to “view” two aircraft tied down near the self serve fuel farm.

The kids were very inquisitive and full of questions about, “What is this for and what is that for.” Jim patiently explained about the function of the propeller, main wing, horizontal stabilizer and tail. Each student was able to “see” the aircraft using their hands and fingers. They meticulously touched each surface of the airplanes while all the time asking, “What does this do? What are these bumps for? How can the wing make the airplane fly?”

Craig was impressed with the level of curiosity and intelligence that each student exhibited. “They are all very interested in the technical aspects of how an airplane flies. They seem intent on learning all there is to know about airplanes,” said Craig.

One student, Dale Jr, wanted to touch every part of the aircraft including the wheel fairings and struts. One could tell he was soaking up every part of the plane like a sponge. Long after most of the other kids had headed back to the cool of the terminal building. Dale Jr. and Ms. McAlister remained so that he could touch every inch of the Cessna 152. Jim looked over and saw that his hands were covered in oily dirt after running his hands along the belly of the engine cowling. Jim quickly retrieved paper towels and hand cleaner for this inquisitive student.

Back in the terminal building and out of the summer heat, Jim served juice boxes to everyone while answering more questions from the students. It was hard to tell who was enjoying the tour more, the students or Jim Craig.

Finally, it was time to depart the airport and head back to school. Each student thanked Jim for his time as they walked single file holding on to the teacher’s arm to the school van. Jim asked them to come back anytime they wanted to “see” more aircraft. A splendid time was had by all!

“I am very grateful to Jim for allowing our students to “look” at the airplanes at his airport,” Lynne McAlister said. “As I told him, one could fly in a plane a million times and not have the concept of what a plane is, unless one can see it with their eyes, or rather, with their hands.”

Ms. McAlister moved to Austin from New York the day after she graduated from high school and lived with her sister. She wandered into the Texas School for the Blind and was hired as a cook. After a few years, she became a houseparent, and began college classes to obtain her teaching degree. She moved to the newly formed Weekends Home program (1992), and worked part time as an escort on the bus (her favorite job title of all time - escort at the Blind School) She received her Elementary/Special Ed/ VI degree in 1998, and was hired as a teacher. Five years later, Ms. McAlister won an award as “Teacher of the year of multi-handicapped children” and also received 1st runner up in the nation. A few years later, she was selected as Lead Teacher, and moved toward administration. Currently, McAlister is enrolled at Texas State University to obtain her masters in Educational Administration. Lynne McAlister says, “I have 24+ years so far at TSB, and I‘ll probably never leave.”