I Try, I Really Try…

to be a good role model for the children at school. The whole teacher thing. Being responsible. But sometimes, it’s just hard.

In one of my elementary classes, I teach 3 boys and one girl. The girl might as well be my assistant teacher. She’s very rule-conscious. She’s constantly pointing out to the boys that they’re on the wrong page. She reprimands them when they don’t do their homework. And today, she tried to lock them out of the classroom when they weren’t there when the bell rang. I laughed, unlocked the door, and sweetly said, Honey, don’t do that. I’m sure they’ll be here right away. “But, teach-a, they on roof. Throwing things.” Really? “Yes. Punishment! Punishment!” and with that she dropped to her knees and held her arms over her head, a typical punishment in Korean elementary schools.

The boys came running in only seconds later. As they took their seats, I asked them if they had been on the roof. They looked at me and with wide eyes said, “Yes.” Were you throwing things? They glanced at each other, then said, “Yes.”

First of all, I can’t believe they fessed up. Second of all, I knew I should be really adult and tell them how unsafe it is to throw things, but I felt Maggie’s curiosity ( 3.6.02 MOM MATERIAL ). Trying so hard not to smile, I said, Don’t throw things. You could hurt someone. If you do it again, well, well, you’ll be in trouble. (the most lame reprimand ever) “Yes, teach-a. We sorry.”