Wednesday
May132009
May 13, 2009 I Have Arrived
A day or two ago, I was administering a test when I heard some girls making noise in the hallway, laughing and talking loudly -- probably having been sent out there for similar behavior. I stepped outside and asked them to be quiet, as my students were taking a test. They dropped their eyes and apologized. I returned to my classroom and continued grading papers.
That's all. But a little later that day, I got to thinking about the experience. I didn't hesitate or deliberate for a moment; it was second nature to invoke my Teacher Power for the benefit of my students. I wasn't mad, and I wasn't mean, but the girls in the hall obviously felt chastised. How many times during my grade school years was I similarly called out? I'm sure there were many that even Kirsten doesn't remember. I was smart and a smart-aleck -- oh, how often those two go hand in hand! -- and I loved to show off in subtle, underhanded ways. I did my share of Hall Time, but I probably deserved more. Even with this common ground, though, I don't feel bad for those kids. I remember what it was like, the sweet thrill of "getting away with" goofing off (no one really gets away with it; teachers just don't choose to discipline in every single case.) They've had their fun; now I'll have mine. And I won't lie -- it is fun being able to elicit that kind of reaction with just a few words and one click of your shoe on the tiled floor of the English hallway.
Somewhere in these last few years, I have actually become a Teacher.
That's all. But a little later that day, I got to thinking about the experience. I didn't hesitate or deliberate for a moment; it was second nature to invoke my Teacher Power for the benefit of my students. I wasn't mad, and I wasn't mean, but the girls in the hall obviously felt chastised. How many times during my grade school years was I similarly called out? I'm sure there were many that even Kirsten doesn't remember. I was smart and a smart-aleck -- oh, how often those two go hand in hand! -- and I loved to show off in subtle, underhanded ways. I did my share of Hall Time, but I probably deserved more. Even with this common ground, though, I don't feel bad for those kids. I remember what it was like, the sweet thrill of "getting away with" goofing off (no one really gets away with it; teachers just don't choose to discipline in every single case.) They've had their fun; now I'll have mine. And I won't lie -- it is fun being able to elicit that kind of reaction with just a few words and one click of your shoe on the tiled floor of the English hallway.
Somewhere in these last few years, I have actually become a Teacher.
Categories: Methods | Teacher Education | Vices
Methods | Teacher Education | Vices
Reader Comments (2)
teacher power is awesome. it's funny, too, because kids already KNOW when they're being bad. so, even though they don't understand a lick of english, they know exactly what i'm saying when i drag them out of the coat closet or off the windowsill.
What is it with kids and windows? One of my students famously climbed out the window during my first year of school. They were the worst class I've had to date. To get an idea: she climbed out the window to retrieve some of the things they had been throwing out the window.
Last week, while I was gone, another student climbed out the window behind the substitute's back, walked around the school and re-entered the classroom through the doorway. The poor sub was so confused, the students told me. I was just impressed they had done it to him instead of me -- I guess I'm developing street cred :)