Something To Think About...

When I started this blog, my intentions were to share a funny moment from my teaching career.  Unfortunately, the events in Newtown, CT brought me to a place of fear and sadness.  This horrific tragedy made me think about the kids in my class, my own child, and children in other parts of the world.  We live in a very dangerous and sick society.  It's a shame these babies have to be brought up in such a world.  I cannot fathom dropping my child at school, assuming that I will be picking him/her up at 3:00 pm, and getting a phone call about a shooting at his/her school!  If there is anywhere that should be a safe haven for a child it should be a school.  Our children are already robbed of their innocence and youth, and now a place that should always be safe is being ripped out of their reach.

This brings me to a conversation one of the children in my class had with me.  In Science class, we have been observing the phases of the Moon.  The children are supposed to go outside and observe the nighttime sky.  I didn't realize how excited they were about watching the Moon go through its different phases and actually knowing some of the terminology.  This is one of those moments I adore in teaching.  It keeps me from throwing my hands up and finding a position in Corporate America.  While we were talking about the phases of the Moon, one of the kids in my class told me he was having difficulty completing the log.  I asked him why and he told me that his mother would not let him go outside.  He had to try to make his observations from inside the house.  I immediately knew why.  When he told me that his mother told him that it was too dangerous in their neighborhood for him to go outside and make his observations, it broke my heart.  This little boy has been on my mind all week and today's events just opened the flood gates.

This little boy has a thirst for knowledge.  He asks me questions that make me say, "I'll get back to you on that." or "Let's research that together."  He can't even go outside to grasp the entire concept of observing the night sky!  Our world has become so corrupt that we have completely robbed these children of their innocence.  We've taken the fun out of being a kid.  When are the adults going to wake up and realize that we have to give these kids a chance?  When will we finally give them a chance to enjoy life?  Those innocent babies had nothing to do with that mad man's issues!

I read something today..."Our children are the future.  Once you start taking them, we'll having nothing left."  I just wish we all could understand that.  Give them a chance and stop robbing them of a bright future.

A Real Pablo Picasso

When I come in from work, I like to take at least an hour to reflect on my day, past experiences, some of the kids I've worked with, etc.  Today my thoughts floated to a real Pablo Picasso I had the pleasure of working with.  I actually saw this child walking home from school the other day and I must admit that I had to pull over and laugh hysterically.  I'm laughing now, just thinking about him.  

It is well known among my friends and colleagues that I can speak French and Creole.  On many occasions, I have been asked to translate for a parent or teacher.  At times, co-workers have asked me to call a French or Creole-speaking parent and I am always willing to lend a helping hand.  Unfortunately, this was a time in which I wasn't so eager to help translate.

Pablo (that's what we'll call him) decided to explore his artistic side with one of the Resource teachers.  I guess he figured he should channel his inner Seth (from "Superbad") and draw some very detailed "male parts" (if you get my drift) in class.  His resource teacher intercepted the note like a solid running back and proceeded to call the parent.  My esteemed colleague knew she would have a hard time talking to the parent so she decided to ask me to call the parent and relay the message.  After getting the story from the Resource teacher, I practice what I'm going to say to the parent and then come to the realization that I do not know the "PC term" for that "male part" in Creole.  It's sad to say that I knew every derogatory term for that word, but could not even think about the right way to say it.  Of course, I found this to be hilarious.

Before calling Pablo's mother, I figured I should find out the "PC term" for "male private part" in Creole.  My dear mummy came to my rescue.  However, not before flipping out and asking me why I have to use such language with a parent.  I explained the situation to my mother and after calming her down, I am finally ready to call Pablo's mother and inform her of her son's artistic endeavors.  Or so I thought...

When Mrs. Picasso came to the phone, I immediately got very nervous and started whispering into the phone (I made the phone call in the school office. Did I mention that I was speaking Creole? No one, but the parent could understand me!).  I began to inform Pablo's mother of his activities and for some odd reason, she didn't seem to understand the "PC term" I was using. The best part was that Pablo's mother did not understand the "PC term" I was using.  I made an executive decision and used one of the many vulgar terms I knew for "male private part" (my older brother and cousins would be so proud).  Needless to say, Pablo's mother definitely understood the word "zo-zo" (my older brother and cousins would be so proud)! She immediately started wailing on the phone and telling me that she was going to beat the crap out of him and ship "bounda li Haiti" (Translation: ship his butt to Haiti).  

That was quite an unforgettable teaching moment for me.  I don't think I can ever look at Pablo and his mother with a straight face again.  My question is...Why in the world was I whispering?  No one knew what I was saying, except for Pablo's mother!