A Memorable Picture Day

Picture day at a primary school! Walking through the hallways while children are making their way to class in the morning is a visual treat. It's like watching a fashion parade of adorable duds for kids, and most students are as clean as a whistle and well-groomed to boot. And this is what makes this story so hilarious. As I usually do, I walked down the first grade hallway to check on and encourage a freckle-faced, cow-licked boy. When he saw me at the door, he stood with a straight face and walked across the room to join me in the hall. As he did so, my eyeballs popped, and I'm sure my hand went to my mouth in consternation. For walking in my direction, seemingly unaware of his appearance, came a well-dressed child with a huge, jet black circle drawn around his face all the way from the bridge of his nose to his chin. I had greeted this little boy when he walked past my classroom about 15 minutes previously, and his face had been shiny and clean. Now THIS is one school picture that will bring back memorable moments for this child and his family!

Kindergarten Butterflies

16 kindergarten classes.  That's how many we have at our huge primary school, and walking in to

teach one during the very first week of school can be a daunting experience!  Actually, I taught 2 classes on their very first DAY of school, at 8:30 and 9:15, no less!  For one thing, I'm not sure whether they know how to pay attention for 45 minutes.  Can they sit still?  Will they be terrified and cry for their "real" teacher?  As I entered classroom after classroom after classroom, I would always see little children sitting criss-cross applesauce on the carpet, waiting expectantly for Miss Mimi, whom they didn't know from Adam.  Big eyes and solemn faces would watch me come in and unpack my teaching supplies.  On morning, I walked in, stopped in my tracks, widened my own eyes, and said to the teacher in a serious voice, "Are they nice?"  "Yes," she said, playing along, "they're VERY nice."  "They're not mean?  I don't need to be scared?" I continued.  "No, they're not monSTERS, they're monSTARS," she said.  "Do they bite?"  I asked.  By this time kids were starting to understand that we were just kidding around, and I heard giggles.  One petite girl with long dark hair and big chocolate colored eyes stood and walked slowly and solemnly toward me.  Close to her face she held a tiny velvet rabbit.  Stroking the bunny tenderly, she said in a genuine tone, "We'll be very nice.  Don't be scared." Of course I laughed with glee, gave her a hug, and let the children know how happy I was to meet them.  It's comforting to know that the kids understand the anxiety of new situations and will always have my back!