This post was originally published on February 27, 2009.
Kendra walks into the staff meeting holding a pink, quilted bag. After several attempts to keep my eyes open, the meeting wraps up and we all scatter to partake in our gossip ring for each grade group (that's where we get together and discuss the kiddos for a while). I walk up as Kendra explains her ploy for the day to Ronny, who is our conservative gangster of a government teacher.
She didn't lie. Yesterday, she told me she was frustrated with the students' tacky style sheets--the "vomit on a page." Her plan for today was to wear all the accessories in her closet to mimic the students' magazine designs.
"Oh, so just because I have a lot of pretty stuff in my closet, I should decorate myself with it?" When Kendra has an idea, she will stop at nothing. I've seen her dead tired from staying up until 2 am, planning a lesson.
She wore bright blue, red and green necklaces, big purple earrings, four scarves, a gold belt, and every ring she owns. Hats off--no pun intended...she had a good analogy. The students learn some really cool things in InDesign and Photoshop, so when it comes time to design their pages, they go crazy. Lines, borders, drop caps, shadows, text wraps, and let's not forget, the plain title in Comic Sans with a bright stroke. Ugh!
Yes, I am a design snob, but I have to be...I teach it. But back to the main story. I am not sure which part of her charade was my favorite.
When she visited my class, she sported an aqua scarf wrapped around her head to, again, make her point. A student of mine complemented her on her enthusiasm as he looked at me and said, "It's nice to see that some teachers are enthusiastic about what they're teaching."
Just another day with kids who walk into your class expecting you to prove yourself. I don't mind--it is quite motivating. :)
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