Alfred Williams, of St. Joseph, Missouri is not like most 1st graders. At the age of 70, Alfred had never learned to read so he decided to enter 1st grade and proves you are never too old to go back to school. His teacher, Mrs. Hamilton said that he knew how to write only three words when he first entered her class. Before he asked Mrs. Hamilton to teach him how to read Williams would listen to her class from the door when he dropped his grandchildren off at school. It only took Williams a couple weeks to learn the basic rules of reading and writing. Common tasks that come easily to most people used to be very difficult for Williams. For example, something as simple as grocery shopping was a struggle because he could not read any of the labels. I think it is very courageous for Williams to put himself into a classroom filled with 6 and 7 year olds. He is trying to better himself and has become a role model for his fellow classmates.
I also think that Williams is very brave to put himself in a classroom of small children who probably make fun of him a little. Why did he decide to go back to school though, why did he never learn to read?? I find it amazing that someone can go through the majority of life without knowing how to read. I would think that it would be too much of a struggle and that he would have put himself in school long before the age of 70.