Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Kids. They never really get the credit they deserve. Adults fail to recognize their unbiased wisdom and often their rather surprising humor as well. We were discussing the Ten Plagues in class and why the Egyptians kept hitting the frogs even though they continued to multiply with each blow. A rather quiet student responded completely seriously, "They must have had anger management problems." The humor and wisdom in that one statement were so profound, especially in light of the fact that she nailed one of the explanations for the illogical behavior of the Egyptians- that anger causes irrational thought processes. Insightful and yet, one of the wittier lines I've collected over the years, along with the one about a pre-school teacher explaining that squirrels live in a burrow and the student asking if it was Brooklyn or Queens.

I fell into education somewhat accidentally and it is for moments like those that I remain in the profession. While working with eighth grade students on various projects, they have enhanced my proficiency in computer technology, my knowledge of teeny bopper pop culture that I wasn't interested in (ok, maybe a little), and sought my advice and opinions on their own precarious positions perched on the cloudy precipice between childhood and growing up. I often don't have answers to their questions. I admit that some of those same doubts and decisions plague me to this day but to keep seeking answers and continue thinking. When this epiphany that my actions, my opinions are contributing to shaping their futures dawns on me, I stand up a little straighter, carefully consider my words and responses, and continue my own quest for answers. When kids tells you that you are "such a good artist" , "the best storyteller", "like a walking encyclopedia" and "such a good teacher", the compliments shouldn't really have so much power to influence the way you feel about yourself, but they do, because kids are powerful people and they never really get the credit they deserve.

Secret Life of the American Teacher

As I sit before the computer that has been deemed "mine" since it is the only one in the school which responds to my username and password, I am surrounded by the unusual sights and sounds which have become part of the white noise of my life. A crowded room in Manhattan, with views of the surrounding concrete jungle and blinding sunlight filtering through the windows, filled with educators espousing wisdom and searching for answers to life's unknowns. "What exactly is for lunch today?", "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, it goes faster when you get to the end.", "How do they expect me to teach three classes at the same time?" "I'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball." All the while a guitar is being passed around the room while everyone shows off their various levels of musical skill and we discuss how men are like dolphins and why then end of June seems so far away...and the Xerox machine explodes a confetti of paper punches to celebrate the beginning of the next period.