First Day of Student Teaching? Was not bad. Unfortunately my cooperating teacher was recovering from surgery so today I observed a 7th Grade Social Studies class taught by a man that used to be an attorney. Class was unique. I’ll come back to that later…
As I walked into the school, entering from the side, the students I observed in August recognized me. Several times I heard students whisper: “That’s Mr. Caruthers.” I stepped into the office and the principal greeted me, she is a brilliant lady. Still impressed as I type this. While in the attendance office several girls gathered around the door. It was obvious they were looking at me. I call these girls the dangerous “Bonnies”. This term comes from scenario from one of my textbooks. It is a very terrifying scenario for any male teacher. This scenario struck FEAR in my heart when I read it for my Human Relations class. Here it is (try not to die of fright!) (“Bonnie has been in your English class for six months. She obviously is quite fond of you. She regularly defends you to her classmates and quite often hangs around to speak with you after class. Since she is in your last period class, you find it difficult to avoid talking with her. Bonnie says to you, “Gee, Mr. Clark, I can’t tell you how much I’ve been enjoying your class this year. You’ve really helped me a lot with my writings skills. (As she thrusts her chest out and smoothes out her skirt, she looks you up and down with a seductive smile on her face.) I’d do anything to show you my appreciation”
Now my initial response to this scenario was to run and call the police. Then I realized I couldn’t do that. This exercise strove to teach us how to respond with immediacy. I get shivers down my spine every time I think about that happening…so if I call a girl a Bonnie her back-story is right in this blog!
Walking down the halls several students said: “Hey Mr. Caruthers” or “I like your tie Mr. Caruthers!” or “You have a cool shirt Mr. Caruthers”. Is student teaching similar to being a celeb? Felt that way here.
The principal took me to the gym. Every morning the entire school congregates for some announcements and each teacher prepares a character virtue each day. Today’s word was “initiative” Before that presentation I watched 6th, 7th and 8th graders joke, play, and kid with another. I tried not to stare but these kids were seriously on the wild side. Insert [Bebe’s Kids Reference”]. I watched two black boys chase a black girl around the gym calling her nappy head (I mention their race only because you all would think they had the same skin complexion as Howard Stern that doesn’t make it okay but whatever it was mean). The kids were a lively bunch. It was 8:30 and all the students sat down and the teachers began making announcements the school became a “peanut gallery” when one teacher made the following announcement: “Students remember NO PEANUTS some students are allergic”. The teacher, bless her heart failed to annunciate and pronounce her words clearly so instead these lovely middle schoolers heard something else. So I stood there listening to a furry of whispers from the students. What they whispered? You wanna know don’t you? Well it was inappropriate, but for their age and development it was what I believe “comically appropriate” (they just had to go there it would be a sin not to) So I heard several students fail at whispering the following: “I thought she said NO PENIS,” They giggled. I shifted uncomfortably where I stood. Middle School Meet Mr. Caruthers. I made the following mental note, “Speak Clearly”.
In the 7th grade social studies class the used to be attorney that I mentioned earlier talked to his class about the stock market. He’s got humor, which is always needed by many teachers. In his class I got myself embarrassed. In the midst of observing his second hour I dozed off. That’s right. I closed my eyes. I pray he didn’t notice but his very observant students sitting in the back noticed. Much to my chagrin a boy turned and whispered, “Mr. Caruthers are you BORED!?” I woke up and shook my head no. They weren’t convinced. Alas, my journey has begun. I am in a middle school for the next six weeks. Will I prosper? Will I fail? Will I become a modern Rip Van Winkle? Heck No! Time to teach History! Lleeggooo! (Let’s go).
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