Cute story to start your day

[rocknrollgirl]

So I am in my 7th period class the other day. They are in 9th grade. For those of you far removed from high school, that makes you 14 years old. The time came for me to tell them that I was going to be absent for a few days while I am in Tahoe. My supervisor encouraged me to tell them where I was going. Positive role model and all that.

So I tell them I am going to do a triathlon, and explain what Nationals are. I am greeted with dead silence. 28 students just looking me up and down. Finally a girl raised her hand and says...

Well, do you have to run in this race?
Yes I reply.
Well, then you must be a really fast runner.
Er, eh, not exactly I reply. Why?
Well, I thought maybe you could take over for me at the cross country meet today.

A second girl raised her hand and says....
I am on the swim team. Do you have to swim in this race?
Yes, I reply.
How far, she asked.
1500 meters...just short of a mile, I tell her.
Hmmm, she says..What stroke you planning on using?
I was thinking freestyle, I tell her.
She looks at me for a second and says. Good Choice.

This all then turned in to what teams they are all on, and will I come watch them play. It was really cute.
You can see they are thinking...hmmmm, she looks old enough to be my Mom, but she runs, and bikes, and swims....

[Kimmyt]

gasp!

Teachers don't have REAL LIVES!!!

[margo49]

You mean you *don't* sleep under your desk?

Yeah, I know this one. I run the little kiosk at our local high school and leave my helmet and a book by HH The Dalai Lama on prominent display. I also take a mid morning break to read the Psalms of the Day. All of which provoke comment and discussion; not least since I am about the age of their Mums

Rocknroll girl - it makes a point, I'm sure of it.

Best of luck!

[Tri Girl]

Too cute!! Kids always make me laugh.

Sounds like the conversation I had with my class of 5th graders yesterday. I explained that I was going to be gone today to get ready for my HIM. They had a million questions and wanted to know what I'd get if I won. I told them that I wasn't going to win. They looked at me like "never say never- you can do it." I then shared that the winner will finish about 2-3 hours before me, but that it wasn't about winning. It was about doing something I love.

Made my day, and your story made it again.

[KSH]

Well both of you ladies working as teachers should tell your kids about your training and experiences! You are both amazing role models and you show them what they can do if they want to.

Nice stories! Thanks for sharing!

[roadie gal]

Great story. I'm excited that so many of those girls are on sports teams. It seems that all you hear about are the kids that are couch potatoes.

[Trekhawk]

That is a great story!!
What a great role model you are for the class.

One of my sons (age 8) plays Soccer on a mixed team and the girls are fantastic. My son has a little crush on one of the girls and when I asked him why he said its because she can do a great header.

[Crankin]

I found that having my bike in the classroom always earned me brownie points with the boys, but most of the girls were more interested in what I wore to ride to school (i.e, "you didn't ride in your high heels?"). These were 6th or 7th graders. I think it sets a serious good role model example, since I am almost old enough to be their grandmother!
I am probably going to be doing a long term subbing gig for one of my former colleagues while she is on maternity leave, starting the last week in February. The first thing I thought of is that i will be able to rack up the commuting miles again!

[Kimmyt]

My son has a little crush on one of the girls and when I asked him why he said its because she can do a great header.

so. cute.

[northstar]

I had this same discussion with my students (7th grade) this morning. The never say never thing came out of their mouths, too, when I told them about my duathlon (and that I would not be winning).

Kids are funny! Which is, probably, one of the big reasons we keep coming back to this job.