Stereotypes, and how I don't seem to fit them

[judifilksign]

At school, one of the students in one of my afternoon classes said something funny, and I giggled.

Another student just stared at me, drop-jawed.  "No way, man, that's just wrong," he said when I looked at him quizzically.

"What's just wrong?"  I asked.

"Bitches don't giggle, and you're an English teacher, and you just, like, giggled and that's wrong."  he said.  "Oops.  Shit.  Um, sorry?"

It made me giggle more, and I didn't send the bewildered student to time out, as my moral authority to do so was out the window, giggling away.

"Dude," another kid helpfully put in, "She was not only smiling, but dressed as a pirate and singing earlier this year.  If teachers aren't supposed to smile before Christmas, and she's giggling before Thanksgiving, what do you think the New Year will bring?"

"Dude.  I don't even know.  I don't even know.  She's just not right.  Giggling.  Happy.  It's just too weird."

Comments

[braider.livejournal.com]

You're 2 for 2 in amusing me so far this evening.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

*giggle* Keep 'em guessing. What fun!

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Yr subversive! People cn get jobs they enjoy?

Yr students might get ambitious, think they cn have a good life. Oh noes!

[netpositive.livejournal.com]

My dad (80 and going strong) was known as *the* goofy teacher in my high school. (Not a bad thing, that -- it made me look normal.)

He nominally taught social studies, but since he tended to get a lot of what I thought of as "disciplinary problems"¹, he threw in as many interesting "life lessons" as he could -- everything from discussing the concept of reincarnation to showing our family's vacation slides.

It would not surprise me to find out he once dressed up as a pirate. :) And he most definitely would giggle if a student said something funny. Go you!

[pondside.livejournal.com]

I wish every child had a teacher like you, frequently...

Teachers that haven't been burned out, just in it for the money (they pay more in Canada), it's a job... etc

You are good gal.

but it gets better.. you're not just a great teacher, you're a wonderful friend, family of choice and all around nice person. You are doing it right -- keep it up!