‘What’s gotten into you today?’
‘Why are you behaving that way?’
‘That’s just plain silly, that is.’
These phrases have passed my lips many times. Normally I’m talking to a kid-my own or one of the many intelligent students that I have met when teaching.
Today, though, these words were aimed at myself.
Have you had a day where there’s just a touch of silly about you? Conformity just not cutting the mustard?
Today was my day.
I taught a class of Year 3’s today at a school that has over 1000 students. After finishing my paid duties for the day I walked with one of the students out of the classroom. Her mum and I have been friends for many years. She’s also a teacher and we hadn’t seen each other for a couple of months.
Her daughter told me that her mum picked her up from the kiss and drop. For those who are unfamiliar with this term- stop car, kiss child, they get out and you drive off. In the afternoons-join cue of cars, drive like a nonagenarian, reach front of cue, child jumps in and then you drive off. No stopping for more than a few seconds. You can’t get out unless you want to be berated by seething parents desperate to un/load their cargo. This procession is overseen by a teacher who directs the flow. Some are very serious about their role and are tyrants. Others are a little more lax and more likened to a traffic cop whose stuck on duty past shift change.
Being as I am a responsible adult I herded my friend’s daughter across the cul-de-sac between cars when they had stopped for the next child to begin their journey homeward bound. Her mum’s car was about 12th in the cue to leave so I had the chance to fit in a 2 minute conversation with her as she rolled around to the pick-up point.
We disposed of pleasantries quickly and did a quick catch up while I was on foot next to her car. Promising to see each other soon, she departed the mayhem.
As I walked past the teacher on duty I was given a stern look and I believe she said something about safety.
‘My apologies,’ I replied without missing a beat.
As I walked with a bit of a swagger to my car, I could not help but smirk. My brain was registering the ‘rebel’ label and it felt good.
I drove past that teacher as I left the teacher’s car park and turned my head so she couldn’t see and poked my tongue out.
Apparently the dutiful, responsible and role-model aspects of my personality had clocked off when the bell went at the end of the day today.
Rebel without a cause, you betcha! I fit that bill today.
The rule maker was the rule breaker today.
I’d love it if you don’t tell my kids though.
Image from: here.
Free Little Words 