Sometimes we laugh, too

Part of what makes this job so hard for me is the unrelenting feeling that I have to be someone I'm not...I have to "play the part" of the teacher. There's a process, of course, of finding your "teacher voice", a persona that functions as an authority figure but also allows you to be you. It's a tricky balance to strike.

Despite the balancing act, however, there are moments in this job where you have to drop the act and just laugh. Because let's face it, kids are pretty funny. Here are a few of the moments/quotes I can remember off the top of my head that made me just sort of drop everything and laugh out loud...

After school one day, sitting on the bench at dismissal:
R: "Ms. Bagdonas, can I get your number?"
Ms. B: Um, your mom has my number, R. Why do you need it?
R: So I can call you, on the weekend, you know, just to check up on you. See how you're doin'...

Heading at the top of a student's paper, only noticed after it was turned in:
Name: P.
Date: I love Danae.

Same student as above, talking to my sister about his crush:
Naomi: "P. why are you so distracted?"
P: "It's Danae. I just can't stop thinking about her. I think about her all the time. I think about her when I'm reading, I think about her when I'm doing my math...I even think about her when I'm brushing my teeth."

In the morning, before school:
R: "Ms. Bagdonas, I'm gonna get you somethin' nice."
Ms. B: "Oh, yeah, R.?"
R: "Yeah...whatchoolike? (one word) Caaandy? Flooowers? Anything you want."

Some of my favorite nonsensical insults:
"Big-headed"
"Bald-headed" (heads are apparently an area of sensitivity)
"You moded!" (as in, "demoted")

Brainstorming "put-ups" (positive words) we can use with each other:
"We can do it" (ok)
"Good job" (typical)
"I like your afro" (awesome)
"C'mon girl, get over here and give me a hug" (haha)

At the end of a long week, with one of my more challenging students:
I: "Ms. B. can I tell you a secret?"
Ms. B: "Sure, I."
I: "I think about you when it's no school."

At the end of a math lesson:
Ms. B: "Ok guys, that's the last problem we'll do for today."
T, talking to herself: "Yes, DONE! And the crowd goes wild..."

Because I told them when you learn something new you get another wrinkle in your brain:
A: "Ms. B! I can feel the new wrinkle! It's over here! (Points to an area above his right ear)

Introducing a book to a small guided reading group:

♫ Ms. B: "Today we're going to read a book about some children who start a club together. Have you ever been part of a club?"
I: "No...but I have been on a party bus...? At night..."

Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry, such is life, eh? Feels nice to think about a few laughter moments too...