Student: How was your day?
Me: I have demons in my homeroom.
Student: Ooh, you can handle it. You had worse. I know you can control them. You're Miss J so there is nothing to worry about. They dont know that they got the best teacher i've ever had. i know those kids don't really care about school. honestly i wished i could go back in time and not do any of the mistakes i made cuz i feel like i messed up at the beginning.
Me: Its not too late to fix anything. I have a lot of faith in and hope for you. You could be a good role model for the next generation and inspire/motivate them.
Student: Thank you. that really motivates me. im going to study starting tonight bcuz i want to make you proud so you wont have to worry about me. :D Also, could you put [my girlfriend] at the front of the room and pick on her and have fun with her? Always keep her on her feet, make sure she doesn't fall behind cuz she's really smart n she says she hates science but your science is diff'rent.
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Girl to sister and her evil friend: You have Miss J for homeroom?! She's the BEST TEACHER EVER.
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Panerio: Miss J, I'm going to wear my old school uniform and hop the fence so I can make sure the new kids are good to you on the first day.
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Jacky, Anay and her family, Jerry (the a-salted one-- did I tell that story?), Vianey, Yesenia, Panerio, and a couple others all came to see me today during open house.
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Note:
I have to type and remember these things or the negative swirling doom that I'm feeling every second might overwhelm me. We are so quick to worry, and so quick to forget that we make a difference, and that the kids we care so much about care about us right back. I am worried that I might have inadvertently taken on too much this year. I am worried (like I worry every year) that my kids won't get me, that we won't click, and that I won't have any fun with them. I am worried that I'll try so hard to make my co-workers successful and my kids happy and knowledgeable that I'll lose myself in the process. This is why I need to remember the good-- like the snippets above. And the extra good-- like the snippet below. It takes a community to teach a kid, and it also takes one to pick up the tired teacher.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ms. R
Ms. R is turning into my favorite person at school.
She was a 1st year teacher last year, and I thought she did a really great job. She loved the little shits the most. She never gave up, always had a good attitude, and kept learning. She didn't spontaneously combust. Of course, she'll probably tell you that she was 2/3 an atomic bomb of a disaster, but I'm not validating that garbage.
This year, she is--as Sebastian might say-- one saucy mama.
Now that she is a well-seasoned veteran, she has come back with good advice and tons of attitude. She's this take-charge tornado who now KNOWS that teaching is sometimes a shit storm, and knows she can weather it. She just puts on a poncho (or, the most teachery dress you'll see on a 20-something year old) and bears it.
I don't normally write about teachers, but Ms. R kills me. As a mentor teacher, I should be the one stopping heart attacks. Here, it's the other way around. Every time I go into panic mode, she tells me about her great idea of wearing a fanny pack full of math manipulatives. Or tells a story about last year's "Mysterious Ball Puncher." (If your mind went to a dirty place... you were right). And she gives me realistic suggestions that calm me down.
She may feel like she's not my equal, but I wouldn't trade her for anything. Not even a new class list. And boy, could I use that.
P.s. By the way, Ms. R, if you're reading this.... you need to email me your blog address because I no longer have it.
She was a 1st year teacher last year, and I thought she did a really great job. She loved the little shits the most. She never gave up, always had a good attitude, and kept learning. She didn't spontaneously combust. Of course, she'll probably tell you that she was 2/3 an atomic bomb of a disaster, but I'm not validating that garbage.
This year, she is--as Sebastian might say-- one saucy mama.
Now that she is a well-seasoned veteran, she has come back with good advice and tons of attitude. She's this take-charge tornado who now KNOWS that teaching is sometimes a shit storm, and knows she can weather it. She just puts on a poncho (or, the most teachery dress you'll see on a 20-something year old) and bears it.
I don't normally write about teachers, but Ms. R kills me. As a mentor teacher, I should be the one stopping heart attacks. Here, it's the other way around. Every time I go into panic mode, she tells me about her great idea of wearing a fanny pack full of math manipulatives. Or tells a story about last year's "Mysterious Ball Puncher." (If your mind went to a dirty place... you were right). And she gives me realistic suggestions that calm me down.
She may feel like she's not my equal, but I wouldn't trade her for anything. Not even a new class list. And boy, could I use that.
P.s. By the way, Ms. R, if you're reading this.... you need to email me your blog address because I no longer have it.
Day 6
Day 6. Thursday. ABORT MISSION. ABORT! DEMONS ON CLASS LIST! ABORT MISSION! Teeth, Napoleon, Girl-Who-Called-A-Teacher-A-Cunt-And-Said-She-Should-Choke-On-A-Dick, her best friend, Pure Evil, and Cashew?! MAYDAY MAYDAY TEACHER GOING DOWN.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Dear School.
Day 1: Sunday. Heck yes, school, bring it on!
Day 2: Monday. Dear school. I did not mean for you to bring it on that much. Please bring it on slightly less. And then give me a snack. And nap time.
Day 3: Tuesday. School, my brain is still exploding. I am developing ADD, and I'm pretty sure that you're the cause, because I have not been eating foods with high levels of dyes. So, I need more stimulation, please. Or maybe a dance-party break. Or maybe for you to provide me an extra few hours of day.
Day 4: Wednesday. School. If you had a middle and a last name, I would use it in a scolding tone. You are not living up to your potential. You were supposed to teach me useful things every day so I could grow as a human, and you are not. The only thing I got from you was crabs from the bathroom.
Okay, so maybe that's a lie, but you did once give me lice, so its not that big a leap. I am, however, strangely happy that I am having a medical issue so that I do not have to sit and stab my eyeball out. That would be a much worse medical issue. Please do better tomorrow.
Day 2: Monday. Dear school. I did not mean for you to bring it on that much. Please bring it on slightly less. And then give me a snack. And nap time.
Day 3: Tuesday. School, my brain is still exploding. I am developing ADD, and I'm pretty sure that you're the cause, because I have not been eating foods with high levels of dyes. So, I need more stimulation, please. Or maybe a dance-party break. Or maybe for you to provide me an extra few hours of day.
Day 4: Wednesday. School. If you had a middle and a last name, I would use it in a scolding tone. You are not living up to your potential. You were supposed to teach me useful things every day so I could grow as a human, and you are not. The only thing I got from you was crabs from the bathroom.
Okay, so maybe that's a lie, but you did once give me lice, so its not that big a leap. I am, however, strangely happy that I am having a medical issue so that I do not have to sit and stab my eyeball out. That would be a much worse medical issue. Please do better tomorrow.
This is Why I Love this Child
Favorite: Miss J, are you still teaching science this year?
Me: Yes, but we have two new science teachers.
Favorite: Well, they can't take your place cuz no one can do a job better than you. Thats been proven by society.
That was exactly what I needed today.
Me: Yes, but we have two new science teachers.
Favorite: Well, they can't take your place cuz no one can do a job better than you. Thats been proven by society.
That was exactly what I needed today.
Denialism Ticks me Off
Today, I saw a bumper sticker that said this:
Global warming.
A dangerous, man-made phenomenon created by Marxist ideals and junk science.
I wanted to ninja kick his face. Right off.
I love it how people have decided that science is something that can be "believed" or "not believed." This isn't religion, people.
You can choose to not understand, you can be not ready to understand. But how do you decide to just deny it? Why does the idea that you have the potential to screw up the planet insult you? Or take the evolution debate. Why does it insult you that you came from a long line of ancestors that changed over time?
I wonder if this guy also denies gravity, the spherical nature of earth, and that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago. And I bet he thinks he's at the center of the universe.
Global warming.
A dangerous, man-made phenomenon created by Marxist ideals and junk science.
I wanted to ninja kick his face. Right off.
I love it how people have decided that science is something that can be "believed" or "not believed." This isn't religion, people.
You can choose to not understand, you can be not ready to understand. But how do you decide to just deny it? Why does the idea that you have the potential to screw up the planet insult you? Or take the evolution debate. Why does it insult you that you came from a long line of ancestors that changed over time?
I wonder if this guy also denies gravity, the spherical nature of earth, and that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago. And I bet he thinks he's at the center of the universe.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Whose Team are YOU on?
An old, old story I forgot to post:
The other day, one of my girls came up to me-- all Twilighted out on free dress day. She'd been having quite the heated argument with another one of the girls and needed me to settle something for them.
"Miss J, which team are you on?"
"Huh?"
"You know! Twilight. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Because honestly, if you say Team Jacob, I'm going to scream, I mean, like, Edward is Bella's SOUL MATE. So, Team Edward, right?"
I put on my biggest, cheesiest smile, my most enthusiastic voice.
"Team KNOWLEDGE, baby! OH yeah. Knowledge is sexy. Nobody has better abs than KNOWLEDGE."
She was not amused.
The other day, one of my girls came up to me-- all Twilighted out on free dress day. She'd been having quite the heated argument with another one of the girls and needed me to settle something for them.
"Miss J, which team are you on?"
"Huh?"
"You know! Twilight. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Because honestly, if you say Team Jacob, I'm going to scream, I mean, like, Edward is Bella's SOUL MATE. So, Team Edward, right?"
I put on my biggest, cheesiest smile, my most enthusiastic voice.
"Team KNOWLEDGE, baby! OH yeah. Knowledge is sexy. Nobody has better abs than KNOWLEDGE."
She was not amused.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Texts of Happiness
The universe wants me to keep teaching.
In the last 2 weeks, I have gotten text messages from all sorts of former students, all totally out of the blue.
Sergio told me about traveling with his soccer team across the country, and to keep my fingers crossed for him.
Monica just wanted to check in and make sure "my man" was treating me well.
Alex wanted legal counsel, and to meet up and talk when I got back to Phoenix.
Zariah wanted to tell me that I reminded her of Julia Styles.
Vianey wanted me to know that she hasn't moved to Mexico yet, and wanted to see me before she does...
Jesus had his usual supply of endless questions.
And Castro, my "son" told me that he was growing, has a new girlfriend, had moved, and had to text all of his friends to find someone who had my number so he could let me know not to worry about him.
And all of them signed off by saying:
"Bye best teacher ever!"
"Miss you, Miss J!"
"I would be honored to work for the best scientist/best mom in da world!"
These kids are my heart.
THIS is why I do what I do. When punk-ass teenagers (who are usually embarrassed by adults) don't forget you and trust you.... you know you've done something right.
In the last 2 weeks, I have gotten text messages from all sorts of former students, all totally out of the blue.
Sergio told me about traveling with his soccer team across the country, and to keep my fingers crossed for him.
Monica just wanted to check in and make sure "my man" was treating me well.
Alex wanted legal counsel, and to meet up and talk when I got back to Phoenix.
Zariah wanted to tell me that I reminded her of Julia Styles.
Vianey wanted me to know that she hasn't moved to Mexico yet, and wanted to see me before she does...
Jesus had his usual supply of endless questions.
And Castro, my "son" told me that he was growing, has a new girlfriend, had moved, and had to text all of his friends to find someone who had my number so he could let me know not to worry about him.
And all of them signed off by saying:
"Bye best teacher ever!"
"Miss you, Miss J!"
"I would be honored to work for the best scientist/best mom in da world!"
These kids are my heart.
THIS is why I do what I do. When punk-ass teenagers (who are usually embarrassed by adults) don't forget you and trust you.... you know you've done something right.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Shut it.
You know what I hate about teaching?
When people say things like:
A. "Oh, that must be so nice to have the summers off."
B. "You never have to work on weekends!"
C. "You still get spring break and every holiday off...that's why you must love teaching."
To all of those people, I would like to say: Shut it.
We don't work from 8-3, 5 days a week, and then call it a night. We don't just show up, give the kids a book, babysit all day, and then leave with no responsibilities. This is a job that is never finished. It can consume every moment of your day and night if you let it.
On average, I work at least a 70 hour work week. At school no later than 7am, and during my first three years never leaving before 5:30....and then I'd go home and work until 10:30 at night, eating some crappy microwave meal by my computer.
Endless meetings.
Professional development.
Tutoring. Grading papers. Calling parents.
Aligning and organizing curriculum for ENDLESS HOURS.
Creating a website.
Keeping up with the news to integrate current events into the curriculum.
Reading books and articles so I can keep current with science and technology.
Entering grades.
Coming up with positive classroom incentives.
Decorating the classroom and updating student work on bulletin boards.
Writing pages and pages of lesson plans that include every major question I plan on asking, and everything broken down into sub-objectives.
Creating quizzes & PowerPoints.
Re-writing articles so the kids can read them at their level, writing stories, poems and plays.
Going to the store to get materials for labs.
Scouring the internet for good videos, animations, articles, labs and activities.
Collaborating with other teachers.
Running clubs, food & school supply donations.
Supporting student events like basketball games.
Planning a school-wide science fair, and a district wide science day.
This profession has an astoundingly high rate of burn out and you think we just take it EASY? If we don't have those breaks, we would crash and burn. We would be useless.
I know a lot of teachers who not only teach, but also have a second job. I know teachers that teach during the year, and then get a summer job.
What will I be doing with my summer?
1. Working on a Master's degree in curriculum & instruction
2. Working on next year's science curriculum and learning new science
3. Working with teachers to form a new discipline plan for the middle school
4. Mentoring and welcoming new teachers
5. Working on online professional development through NSTA.
I am not sitting on my butt for three months, lounging in the sun and doing nothing.
And I deeply, deeply resent anyone who thinks what I do is easy.
You know what, there are perks. We have decent health care. If you stay long enough, you get a good pension. If you do it right, you get a lot of love, admiration and respect. And on the surface, yes, it looks like we have a lot of time off. But what it really amounts to is just enough time to repair our own sanity so we can continue going at breakneck speeds.
For what amounts to about $25,000 a year after taxes.
You think you can do what I do? While having no breaks? I would love to see you try.
When people say things like:
A. "Oh, that must be so nice to have the summers off."
B. "You never have to work on weekends!"
C. "You still get spring break and every holiday off...that's why you must love teaching."
To all of those people, I would like to say: Shut it.
We don't work from 8-3, 5 days a week, and then call it a night. We don't just show up, give the kids a book, babysit all day, and then leave with no responsibilities. This is a job that is never finished. It can consume every moment of your day and night if you let it.
On average, I work at least a 70 hour work week. At school no later than 7am, and during my first three years never leaving before 5:30....and then I'd go home and work until 10:30 at night, eating some crappy microwave meal by my computer.
Endless meetings.
Professional development.
Tutoring. Grading papers. Calling parents.
Aligning and organizing curriculum for ENDLESS HOURS.
Creating a website.
Keeping up with the news to integrate current events into the curriculum.
Reading books and articles so I can keep current with science and technology.
Entering grades.
Coming up with positive classroom incentives.
Decorating the classroom and updating student work on bulletin boards.
Writing pages and pages of lesson plans that include every major question I plan on asking, and everything broken down into sub-objectives.
Creating quizzes & PowerPoints.
Re-writing articles so the kids can read them at their level, writing stories, poems and plays.
Going to the store to get materials for labs.
Scouring the internet for good videos, animations, articles, labs and activities.
Collaborating with other teachers.
Running clubs, food & school supply donations.
Supporting student events like basketball games.
Planning a school-wide science fair, and a district wide science day.
This profession has an astoundingly high rate of burn out and you think we just take it EASY? If we don't have those breaks, we would crash and burn. We would be useless.
I know a lot of teachers who not only teach, but also have a second job. I know teachers that teach during the year, and then get a summer job.
What will I be doing with my summer?
1. Working on a Master's degree in curriculum & instruction
2. Working on next year's science curriculum and learning new science
3. Working with teachers to form a new discipline plan for the middle school
4. Mentoring and welcoming new teachers
5. Working on online professional development through NSTA.
I am not sitting on my butt for three months, lounging in the sun and doing nothing.
And I deeply, deeply resent anyone who thinks what I do is easy.
You know what, there are perks. We have decent health care. If you stay long enough, you get a good pension. If you do it right, you get a lot of love, admiration and respect. And on the surface, yes, it looks like we have a lot of time off. But what it really amounts to is just enough time to repair our own sanity so we can continue going at breakneck speeds.
For what amounts to about $25,000 a year after taxes.
You think you can do what I do? While having no breaks? I would love to see you try.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Young Republican Take III
An earlier entry I forgot to add:
Today, after the completely misunderstood and terror-inducing AZ law SBwhatever was passed, the Young Republican apparently ran around in the hallways demanding that everyone show him their papers.
"Where are your papers?! HAHA GO BACK TO MEXICO!"
I condemn violence as a method to solve problems....yet I wonder....
How has this kid not gotten his ass kicked?
Today, after the completely misunderstood and terror-inducing AZ law SBwhatever was passed, the Young Republican apparently ran around in the hallways demanding that everyone show him their papers.
"Where are your papers?! HAHA GO BACK TO MEXICO!"
I condemn violence as a method to solve problems....yet I wonder....
How has this kid not gotten his ass kicked?
Promotion
When the principal said my name, a roar emanated from the crowd. Jasmine whooped, a few kids pumped their fists. I grinned like a maniac. After all the hell I'd put them through....they cheered for me. I stood, waved, blew them all a kiss, and sat down content. They got it. No, not the science. I didn't care about that.
It wasn't the garbage-bag & goggle haute couture on Pepsi & Mentos day. It wasn't the dissections or cabbage juice experiments or rocketry. It wasn't the DNA precipitate lab or the Atom Army Chant. They knew that somebody loved them. And I got the feeling they loved me back.
In one of the promotion speeches, Josh (the one who called me the green M&M) said something like "And who could forget Miss J with her spunky yet strict attitude...." I grinned again.
They got me. Down to a T. I hope, hope, hope I got them.
P.s. Another reason my kids are the best? When the student in the wheelchair pushed himself across the stage....they all broke out in applause. My kids are the best.
It wasn't the garbage-bag & goggle haute couture on Pepsi & Mentos day. It wasn't the dissections or cabbage juice experiments or rocketry. It wasn't the DNA precipitate lab or the Atom Army Chant. They knew that somebody loved them. And I got the feeling they loved me back.
In one of the promotion speeches, Josh (the one who called me the green M&M) said something like "And who could forget Miss J with her spunky yet strict attitude...." I grinned again.
They got me. Down to a T. I hope, hope, hope I got them.
P.s. Another reason my kids are the best? When the student in the wheelchair pushed himself across the stage....they all broke out in applause. My kids are the best.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Yearbook Party
Today the PTA had an ice cream & yearbook signing party for the kids in the cafeteria. I had a notebook they could all leave me notes in, and had a long, ridiculous line of kids waiting for me to write them notes. Most of them were super sweet, telling me I had a really long line, and that I was popular (that's nice....first time in my life I've been popular with 8th graders....) But some of these kids....
Rojas: Mom. Sign my butt cheek.
Me: (calmly, not looking up, signing another student's yearbook) Well, didn't wipe your butt when you're a baby, and I'm not signing it now.
Rojas: Awwww.
Jorge: Miss J, sign my balls.
Me: WHAT?! (neck snaps up, I see him holding two basketballs.)
All of the boys die.
Me: You guys are all sick.
Rojas: You love us.
Jessica: I thought you raised them better, Miss J.
Me: Yeah, me too.
It's a good thing none of these kids ever hear me talking with Mr. B, or they'd all know I'm just as bad if not worse than they are....
Rojas: Mom. Sign my butt cheek.
Me: (calmly, not looking up, signing another student's yearbook) Well, didn't wipe your butt when you're a baby, and I'm not signing it now.
Rojas: Awwww.
Jorge: Miss J, sign my balls.
Me: WHAT?! (neck snaps up, I see him holding two basketballs.)
All of the boys die.
Me: You guys are all sick.
Rojas: You love us.
Jessica: I thought you raised them better, Miss J.
Me: Yeah, me too.
It's a good thing none of these kids ever hear me talking with Mr. B, or they'd all know I'm just as bad if not worse than they are....
The Truth About Mr. B's Toes
B's Electron: Why are you wearing those? (Points to his shoes with disdain)
Me: B got in a terrible accident and lost a couple of his toes a few years ago.
Electron: Eew! (totally believes me)
Me: You won't ever find him wearing sandals. What, three toes lost, B?
Mr. B: Yup. Not pretty.
Me: I heard it was a random camel accident.
Mr. B: Yeah, I hate those camel toe accidents.
Me: (dies)
It's a good thing the kids all lose interest in whatever we're blathering before it gets to this point....
Me: B got in a terrible accident and lost a couple of his toes a few years ago.
Electron: Eew! (totally believes me)
Me: You won't ever find him wearing sandals. What, three toes lost, B?
Mr. B: Yup. Not pretty.
Me: I heard it was a random camel accident.
Mr. B: Yeah, I hate those camel toe accidents.
Me: (dies)
It's a good thing the kids all lose interest in whatever we're blathering before it gets to this point....
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
This Year's Adoptees
I love my kids. They are the best. Some of them need a little more mothering than others, so I have this habit of pretend-adopting them, and calling some of them my children. Naturally, this allows me to pretend ground them, tell them I'm 'turning this car around,' say obnoxious things like "under my roof...." Of course, they also get to follow suit and say things like "Moooooom, she's LOOKING at me!"
What's interesting, is that they love it. They take this immense pride in being my "children." Which, I guess is the best compliment I could get.
Each day, my family-within-a-family grows a little bigger. And they get fiercely loyal about me, which is hilarious.
I've got the "twins"-- Senia and Castro (who are not at all related, but are both adorably small and equally feisty) who argue over who gets to hold the door open for me and who I fake ground on a daily basis for fighting with each other. ("Castro! Be nice to your sister!")
Then, I've got Rojas, who yesterday told me his mother wasn't going to promotion--something about how he wasn't worth her time-- and asked if I could be his mother too. I asked Castro, and he cleared it. Yes, he could handle another brother.
Rojas, my emo-child, has a perfectly sheepish laugh, which he's constantly emitting from behind his long, red-highlighted hair (which, I learned he flat irons every day.....). Today, he constantly apologized for accidentally making off with my sun-brella so he could make out with his girlfriend. (This got him stuck in ISS for the rest of the day with said 'brella)
After school, Rojas walks in, umbrella in hand, laughing his sheepish laugh....
Me: You are the reason I'm a lobster! Look at this! I'm burnt."
Rojas: Yeah you are (pokes my shoulder), but look at how much fun we can have poking you now.
Me: Stop touching me. You're grounded.
Rojas: But.... I brought it back your umbrella.....
Me: Fine! You are not grounded. But you are on thin ice, buddy!
Rojas: (sheepish) Thanks mom!
Me: (grumble, grumble) Damn right.....
And then there's Bryan, my little leprechaun who brought me a picture of him as a very young child, in his baptism outfit, crying his head off. Looks at me with huge doe eyes and bats his lashes.
Bryan: Will you adopt me too???? Pleeeeease?
How can I say no to a kid who taught me how to shake my hips like "Yeah"?
Besides, at least this one just shakes his butt...but doesn't ask me to sign it. More on that later....
What's interesting, is that they love it. They take this immense pride in being my "children." Which, I guess is the best compliment I could get.
Each day, my family-within-a-family grows a little bigger. And they get fiercely loyal about me, which is hilarious.
I've got the "twins"-- Senia and Castro (who are not at all related, but are both adorably small and equally feisty) who argue over who gets to hold the door open for me and who I fake ground on a daily basis for fighting with each other. ("Castro! Be nice to your sister!")
Then, I've got Rojas, who yesterday told me his mother wasn't going to promotion--something about how he wasn't worth her time-- and asked if I could be his mother too. I asked Castro, and he cleared it. Yes, he could handle another brother.
Rojas, my emo-child, has a perfectly sheepish laugh, which he's constantly emitting from behind his long, red-highlighted hair (which, I learned he flat irons every day.....). Today, he constantly apologized for accidentally making off with my sun-brella so he could make out with his girlfriend. (This got him stuck in ISS for the rest of the day with said 'brella)
After school, Rojas walks in, umbrella in hand, laughing his sheepish laugh....
Me: You are the reason I'm a lobster! Look at this! I'm burnt."
Rojas: Yeah you are (pokes my shoulder), but look at how much fun we can have poking you now.
Me: Stop touching me. You're grounded.
Rojas: But.... I brought it back your umbrella.....
Me: Fine! You are not grounded. But you are on thin ice, buddy!
Rojas: (sheepish) Thanks mom!
Me: (grumble, grumble) Damn right.....
And then there's Bryan, my little leprechaun who brought me a picture of him as a very young child, in his baptism outfit, crying his head off. Looks at me with huge doe eyes and bats his lashes.
Bryan: Will you adopt me too???? Pleeeeease?
How can I say no to a kid who taught me how to shake my hips like "Yeah"?
Besides, at least this one just shakes his butt...but doesn't ask me to sign it. More on that later....
Air Gerome
We finished shooting off our rockets today, and the kids decided they needed to do acrobatics.
The kids: Miss J. Gerome can jump over people.
Me: What? Like leap frog?
Kids: Yeah, but when you're standing. We're gonna do it.
Me: Um.... that sounds like a terrible idea....
Gerome: I can do it, Miss J! Don't worry!
I wasn't happy....but when Gerome tells me he can do something I know three things.
1. He can.
2. I won't get sued because
3. Gerome's family loves me
So, what did I learn?
I learned that Gerome can, in fact, jump over not just ME..... but 4 people standing, all squished into each other in a line. With no trampoline. EASILY. For those of you who don't know Air Gerome.... he can't be taller than 5." Wearing shoes, I'm about 5'6". The kid's good at EVERYTHING. Ladies love him, smart, confident but not cocky.....always emerges with the basketball like its a baby out of an inferno....
This kid is amazing. My class's explanation:
"Well, he's Filipino. That's why he can jump like that."
"What?! No. That is not it. Gerome's just a super star who stays in shape."
"No, Miss J. It's cuz he's Filipino."
"Okay, so by that logic, the reason you guys don't do your work is 'cuz all Mexicans are lazy?"
"Yeah!!"
"ERRONEOUS!"
They just laugh at me. Gerome doesn't though. Maybe 'cuz he's Filipino. :)
The kids: Miss J. Gerome can jump over people.
Me: What? Like leap frog?
Kids: Yeah, but when you're standing. We're gonna do it.
Me: Um.... that sounds like a terrible idea....
Gerome: I can do it, Miss J! Don't worry!
I wasn't happy....but when Gerome tells me he can do something I know three things.
1. He can.
2. I won't get sued because
3. Gerome's family loves me
So, what did I learn?
I learned that Gerome can, in fact, jump over not just ME..... but 4 people standing, all squished into each other in a line. With no trampoline. EASILY. For those of you who don't know Air Gerome.... he can't be taller than 5." Wearing shoes, I'm about 5'6". The kid's good at EVERYTHING. Ladies love him, smart, confident but not cocky.....always emerges with the basketball like its a baby out of an inferno....
This kid is amazing. My class's explanation:
"Well, he's Filipino. That's why he can jump like that."
"What?! No. That is not it. Gerome's just a super star who stays in shape."
"No, Miss J. It's cuz he's Filipino."
"Okay, so by that logic, the reason you guys don't do your work is 'cuz all Mexicans are lazy?"
"Yeah!!"
"ERRONEOUS!"
They just laugh at me. Gerome doesn't though. Maybe 'cuz he's Filipino. :)
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