You know what's more difficult than being a teacher? Being a YOUNG and GOOD LOOKING teacher, who gets mistaken for a student far more often than I'd like. Today, for example, as I was walking upstairs to one of my classes, a group of freshmen boys instantly started saying things like "Ooohhh daaaayuuummm... is that girl a student here?" "Yo man, I dunno, ask her." "No man, you ask her!" "'Scuse me!! Do you go to school here?" My response, while giving my badass "I mean business" teacher stare, was: "Yes, but I'm a TEACHER!" They then used few expletives, started giggling, and then ran off. I thought it was pretty funny. Yesterday one of my students was staring at me with a really weird look on his face, when I asked him why he was staring at me like that, he responded with "Cuz ya cute, Miss." Great. Thanks. I responded with, "Thanks, but that's pretty inappropriate and I'm too old for you. Moving on..."
So that brings me to my New Teacher Tip of the Day: Don't get flustered when kids say something that makes you uncomfortable. 9 times out of 10 they are only doing it to get a reaction out of you. DON'T, I repeat: DO NOT let them win that game because then they will become the one that is in control. Just brush it off and, if it was an inappropriate comment, let them know that. But don't get all giggly and stupid about it and turn bright red. I've seen it happen and trust me, it makes the situation 10 times more awkward.
On a separate note, during my resource room I have all of my students journal for the first 10 minutes of the class in complete silence. I do not allow them to speak to me or anyone else; they are not even allowed to ask a single question. They have to be silent and write for 10 minutes straight about whatever is on their mind. I then read their journals, and respond to their entries. We end up having great conversations through our writing and I've found that this is a great way to get to know my kids. My students last year loved it, and so far my students this year seem to be enjoying it as well. So anyways, I have a student who is, in my opinion, almost identical to the main character from the movie, The Blindside. He is close to 6'3" and is labeled as having a Speech and Language Impairment (SLI). Everything about him reminds me of the main character in that movie, so for the sake of keeping things anonymous here, we will refer to this particular student as Blindside from now. So today, after our resource room period came to an end, Blindside came up to me and said "Miss... I just wanted to let you know that I asked you a question in my blue book thing and it's alright if you say no to it. I just want you to know that it's okay if you don't want to. But I'll just let you go read it." I said, "Ok Blindside, I'm going to go read the journals now, and I'll write back to you with a response. Have a great weekend and stay out of trouble!" So as I'm walking back to my office, I'm trying to think of what the heck this kid could have written to me. When I got back to my desk, I flipped through the journals until I found his. Here is what he wrote:
"I think the days in high are getting better as they go by. I mean I'm getting mosely homework every day now I still feel like crap! OH! and before I keep talking my first few weeks at the high school, I can draw a picture for you if you whant me to."
I couldn't help but get that warm fuzzy feeling in my gut after reading his entry; and I thought to myself: "Yes! I am reaching this kid!" It's obvious that he has made some sort of connection with me, and these connections are vital when creating success stories among struggling students. It's these small little moments of recognition that I get from my students that make me love my job so much. I really wouldn't trade what I do for anything in the world.
Unless I win the lottery....
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