As a teacher I was fortunate enough to have some students who always wanted to be helpful. They always wanted to do something. These kids were a treat because they had such a positive attitude and they were of great help.
A class room teacher always has an amazing number of things to get done during a day. It was always nice to have the kid who wanted to do little jobs. Take something to the office(attendance forms), get something from the office, get the video, get the duplicated stuff, haul some books around: These kids saved a teacher many steps. It was interesting that there were two types of helpful kids. One kind of helpful kid was just plane helpful. The other kind of helpful kid was a little devious and wanted to get out of work or go for a stroll. These kids realized that they were helpful. They knew this message could go home and that would be a big plus for them.
Then some kids were very helpful and they didn't intend to be helpful and didn't know they were being helpful. Sometimes there were shenanigans going on that I couldn't catch. If I watched carefully, there was always some kid who knew where the nonsense was taking place and was watching and enjoying the action. If you could catch that kids eye and follow it you could find out exactly where the monkey business was going on. Usually the culprit was caught completely off guard and wondered how he had been caught.
One time I had someone in class who was either lighting matches or scratching caps for cap guns. Both were smelly and other kids would complain. They didn't know who was the culprit either. I really wanted to put a stop to this activity as it was dangerous. I had one sharp eyed observer who always knew where the action was. He was and extremely nice and well behaved boy. I watched him carefully. He was so interested in the goings on that he concentrated intently and I could see exactly who the bad guy was. I pounced on the culprit and that was the end of lighting matches until the next time.
So students were helpful in several ways and I appreciated all of them.
Well said. I enjoy all of mine as well. All children are a gift from God & on really trying days, it serves me well to remember that! Thanks for the reminders & encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head. There are trying days. With retirement those trying days fade.
ReplyDeleteYou have great stories from your teaching days! I remember playing with cap guns as a kid, right down to that SMELL!
ReplyDeleteSo your were one of those kids who brought your caps to school! Aha! LOL
DeleteI'll bet those kids thought you had eyes in the back of your head! We would say that about my mother, and now I know how she did it. Good post, Red, I enjoyed my own trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteI had another trick where I really did see stuff with my back turned to the kids. I would pretend to be staring out the window. What I was really looking at was the reflection of the room given by the glass . It was very sobering when someone got caught.
ReplyDeleteKids think they are so smart sometimes. Great recollections! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's an innocent smart as they are truly amazed sometimes when they get busted.
DeleteNice memories of your teaching days, Red. Reminding me of how pleased I was to be chosen to help the teacher, it was always such a treat...Being helpful and getting out of the classroom ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou were a double winner as you got to help and also got out of the classroom. I taught middle school so by that time it wasn't cool to help- teachers but there were always kids who did.
DeleteI remember sitting in class laughing so hard over something trivial. My friend and I could not stop laughing - if our eyes met we'd start all over again. Trying not to make noise or make the teacher notice us, I swear we did damage to our insides, trying to laugh silently.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the teacher saw us and just ignored it?
I would rather ignore stuff unless it was interfering with others. Gigglers were only having fun.
DeleteI think some of these tricksters grew up to be in the House of Commons! :-)
ReplyDeleteHad a really good laugh from your comment after I got it. Good shot!
ReplyDeleteHi Red, thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteRed if only I knew this 30 years ago, it would have saved me some steps myself, steps to the principles office for doing something I really shouldn't have done to begin with! lol I really wasn't a bad kid, I did however get mixed up with the wrong crowd and I would be the eyes to watch and my friends would be busted.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that you don't teach anymore, I know retirement is much more appealing, but the world is in need of more teachers like you in my opinion. I can feel your passion through the stories you share.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
I liked kids who were energetic and a little on the mischievous side. I had little time for those who were mean about things.
DeleteI got to the [point where I couldn't do things how I wanted to and that was time to retire,
Hey, I know those kids! Our study skills class this year has 12 boys and 0 girls. YOU know what it looks like, don't you.
ReplyDeleteThese were my kind of kids. Give me 12-15 of them. I would have them for math and Eng. I didn't teach for the almighty test. I just wanted to hang onto them so that they stayed in school and didn't hurt themselves or anybody else.
DeleteI enjoyed this post. I used to read comics at class, after finishing my work of course but that was still no excuse!
ReplyDelete