When I was teaching Spanish in Nebraska, I loved sharing stories with my classes about the embarrassing things I got myself into. Sometimes I would use my story to get their attention at the beginning of class and sometimes I would tell a story at the end of class if there was time. When I could I would tell my stories in Spanish using as many gestures and cognates as possible. Many times I would give the kids opportunities to share something funny that had happened to them.
On this particular occasion no one had any stories for me. “Come on,” I pleaded, “surely things like this happen to you guys too!”
Finally, one quiet girl from the second row raised her hand. She answered only after I had called on her. “Mrs. Irish, things like that do happen to us. We just don’t tell any body!”
I wished I had kept a journal of the funny things my students would say sometimes, but out of the ones I remember this is probably my favorite! How true! But what is the fun in that? That’s what I want to know!
Haha….you have to grow up and be crazy like you before you would tell about it LOL! I bet you helped a lot a kids deal with their “secret stories” by telling yours.
Ha ha, I love sharing my funny moments. They are like a badge of honor to me, but I am 34. I think at 16 I would rather crawl under a desk than share my humiliating stories.
I think we all love to hear embarrassing stories, but no one wants to say their own stories – until you get “old” like me, that is.
How clearly I remember those school days of taking myself too seriously and worrying what other people would think about me. I’m so glad that we develop a better sense of humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves as we get older!
I used to teach as well…and man kids say some funny things sometimes! 🙂
Funny! So true. For the first 7.75 years of my marriage my husband would hint to me about the stories that were for “inside” our home and those that were for “public” but I couldn’t seem to get those two right. I’m such an open book so I’d just share it all. I’ve now been married 7.95 years so I figure I’ve been doing much better lately :). I still share alot more than he ever would, but then again, I’m a girl :).
Indeed. I often used to share my stories with my students when I was teaching in Madagascar. They loved them and I came across as a more approachable, fun teacher… And it helped me to keep things light on serious days too!
I used to work in a elementary school office…I wish I would have journaled all of it! What fun!
Haha! That’s an embarrassing moment whilst sharing an embarrassing moment. Yes, there is great fun in laughing at ourselves 😀
You have to grow up a bit to take yourself less seriously. I love telling embarrassing stories about myself – it keeps me humble!
ANd look waht we would all miss if we couldn’t hear your stories and laugh with you.
That is so cute. I wish I had kept a log of all the funny things my SS kids have said!