Thursday, May 22, 2003

A student’s mother came knocking on the door of the classroom where I was proctoring a test. Less than five minutes later another mother showed up at the door. Amazed to have seen two parents show up to class in the same morning, a student said “Oh my God, I bet my mother is coming, too!”

Later that morning, I screamed to a student “Go around!” after he tried to take a shortcut through a hall he’s not supposed to go through. He must have heard only the last part (“around”) because all he did was turn around 360 degrees. I smiled and shook my head. I gave it a second shot: “Go around!” Again, he did a 360 degrees turn. I couldn’t believe this kid was doing this, knowing how intolerant I can be. But then I saw him grin… I just chuckled and let things be… he caught me in a good mood. 🙂

In the afternoon, a student was holding the bag used to collect the balls after lunch-recess is over. Since there were some minutes left for the bell to ring, he wanted to be creative with it. The usual, first he used it as a cape and wrapped it around his neck and walked like a super-hero, flexing his muscles. I looked away for one bit, and the next time I saw him, the net was wrapped around his head… he was an Arab. Crazy kid.

A bit later, I was lining up some students in a space between two buildings. It’s not a wide space, maybe six students can fit side by side. I had three lines side by side. A teacher decided to go through, walking between two lines. As she made her way through, I wanted to help so I said in a raised voice: “All right, kids, make way! Make way!” She turned around, smiled and said, “I’m not that fat, Mr. Quiterio!” It didn’t occur to me she’d take it personally. Women… 🙂

After school, a first grade student was walking with her older brother, who graduated from Jefferson a year ago. She asked if I still remembered him. I jokingly said, “Of course I remember him! I used to call his name all the time: ‘Omar, stop running! Omar, don’t kick that ball! Omar, stop beating up that kid!'” Without missing a beat she looked at me and said, “Yeah, that’s what he does at his new school.” Heh, lil girl… 🙂

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