Cyclops

It is a good thing that I have taught Grades 7 and 8 for the majority of my career – for the kids’ sake AND mine! I do NOT like hugs or little kids in my personal space.

I taught primary core French for a while and sitting on “the carpet” talking to them was a nightmare!! I spent almost as much time asking them not to rub my legs as I did teaching a lesson!

I am made for older kids who at least have a developing sense of humour and who are able to appreciate the “art” of sarcasm! It is always a disappointment when I think I am saying something really funny and it SOARS over their heads.

In one particular school, my principal was devoid of a sense of humour. Actually, in several schools now that I think about it. Hmmmmmm.

I was in a classroom with my Grade 7 class. We were up and about (pre-Covid, obviously) because we were sharing geography projects.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the boys leap back from a table. I turned around and asked him what he was doing just as Chuckles the Principal walked in.

He looked at me, wide-eyed, and said, “Nothing. I was just moving out of the way so that “Johnny” could see the display.”

Possible? Yes. Probable? Likely not. Trouble could find this particular kid in his sleep – but I really liked him a lot and we had a good relationship.

Instead of making a big deal, I pointed at him and said, “I’ve got my eye on you.”

He looked back at me and calmly smiled, then said, “Bring it, Cyclops!”

My principal and I reacted at the same time but with polar opposite reactions.

I smiled and nodded. Personally, I was proud that he could come up with a funny response so quickly. Maybe I was rubbing off on him!

The principal, on the other hand, COMPLETELY over-reacted and said that he had to go to the office for being disrespectful to a teacher. (I went down as soon as class was over and said that he did not deserve to be there.)

Lessons learned?

1) That humour, even between student and teacher, can be a sign of respect… especially when you have a rapport.

2) That often (not always – sorry to my principal friends), as soon as principals leave the profession of teaching, they completely forget how to deal with kids.