One of best (and sometimes worst) thing about elementary school kids is that they have almost zero inhibitions. They ask you everything about everything, no matter how personal.
Marriage
I was preparing to demonstrate the cup game to my 5th graders. Before I started, I removed two rings from my RIGHT hand, and I hear whispers...Girl 1: (whispering...but not really) GASP! She's married?
Girl 2: I don't know....
Me: Wrong hand girls....sorry to disappoint you. I hear EVERYTHING...
Job Satisfaction
Perhaps the most random question ever came from a third grader, who just really likes to ask me questions.The Question kid: Ms. S, do you like music?
Me: Is this a joke?
The Question kid: I mean you are a music teacher, but do you really like it that much?
Another kid: WELL DUH!
And of course...AGE
By far the most interesting moments happen when my little Age Patrol comes to class. She is very musical and she (like many 1st graders) has trouble staying in her own space sometimes. But she also likes to do tailspins on my shiny floor, and sometimes kicks the kid behind her. So, this particular class, I corrected her and kindly (but firmly) asked her to sit criss-cross so that she wouldn't disturb the people behind her.Me: Please sit correctly, and stay in your own space. When you spin around like that you are not respecting others, and that's one of our rules...
Age Patrol: (frowns at me, and whispers under her breath, but not really...) You're just a teenager anyway!I was so shocked, that I impulsively responded with, "I AM NOT!", which, I'm sure just affirmed my teenage qualities in her mind!
For career day, I gave a Zumba presentation for a fifth grade class, and they had a great time! So naturally, they were full of questions...
Girl: How old did you say you were?
Me: Older.
Girl: Well, you look 19...I gave an encore presentation on Friday for the other fifth graders, and as they are leaving, and talking about how much fun they had, one of them says,
Biggest fan: Did you hear me cheering you on! I'm your biggest fan! WHOOOOOOO!
The absolute BEST part about being a teacher is that no matter how much stuff "the powers that be" try to bog us down with...no matter how many times people say that we aren't doing our job...To our kids, we are celebrities, we are heroes, and they love us even when no one else does.
And that's good enough for me.
