I'm a privilege to teach!

Today's title comes from a quote from one of my students. He said this yesterday. I'm a day late getting it posted on my facebook page, too! Actually, I really enjoy my students and think that sharing our senses of humor makes the class a lot more fun. Over the years I've developed a very serious persona and students can do and say things that crack each other up, but never get a glimpse of a smile out of me. Once in awhile, though, a student will say something that takes me completely off guard and I let loose with a hearty laugh.

This fall, October 22, 2009, to be precise, one of my students was advocating for his incorrect homework answer. Because I teach Spanish, there is always the possibility that more than one expression will work as an answer to a question. Students are encouraged to offer alternatives and to challenge me on any assignment if they feel their answer is deserving of credit. On this particular workbook page, there was a picture of a floor lamp and a teenager standing next to it. The boy was taller than the lamp, prompting the students to write "El es alto." (He is tall). One student wrote, "El es inteligente." (He is intelligent). So, my student (TC) was explaining why his answer was equally valid. He pointed out the boy was wearing glasses (a definite plus for this, four-eyed, Spanish teacher). Rather than let that stand alone in making his case, however he had to offer more evidence. The boy in the picture was slouching with his hands in his pockets. TC offered, "Smart people put their hands in their pants!" Well, that did it! The whole class started to laugh. I actually had to wipe the tears from my eyes! I knew I wouldn't want to forget this story so I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote it down.

Since then, I've taken to pulling out my pocket calendar to write student quotes/anecdotes. That way they are on the same date I hear them. Students get excited when they've said/done something "quotable". I always post them anonymously and friends get a kick out of stories that remind them of their own school days, either as students or teachers.

That same hour, another student tried repeating TC's famous line. It didn't work, the mask was back on and I sternly informed them that the comment was no longer funny. Of course, I was still laughing on the inside, where it counts!