Me: “I heard you’ve been tutoring some people for this test.”
Student [dejectedly]: “Yeah. I’ve been helping [lists several students’ names]. I even know why they need my help.”
Me: “You do?”
Student: “Yeah. It’s because they don’t pay attention in class. I even told them that they wouldn’t need any help if they just did their work in class like everyone else.” (12/15/21)
With just two students left in the classroom after school, I finally had time to eat my lunch. I chose to eat just outside the doorway so if students needed to ask their questions they could do so while maintaining a safe distance.
Student 1: "Mister! Is that a brownie? That looks so good."
Student 2: "No, that's just a sandwich."
Student 1: "Then why is it brown?"
Student 2: "Because it's wheat bread!"
Student 1: "Oh, I thought it was a brownie. It doesn't look that good any more." (12/14/21)
Student [after helping his friend with a difficult question]: "Mister, you know this is my hardest class, right?"
Me [nodding]: "Yup."
Student: "Are you proud of that?!" (12/13/21)
Student [entering the classroom and throwing her bag down by her desk]: "I'm so upset."
Me: "What's wrong?"
Student: "I spent the whole class [last period] memorizing stuff and studying for my test only to have someone tell me it's an open-note test." (12/10/21)
Student 1: “Happy birthday Student 2!”
Student 3: “Yeah, happy birthday! How do you feel to be sixteen?”
Student 2: “Old.” (12/9/21)
"YES! I love this kind of math." - Exclamation from a high school student after he pushed through one of the harder problems of the year, a mathematical proof. (12/8/21)
Me [to Student 1]: “Why do you have a potato?”
Student 1: “Oh, it’s actually a present from Student 2.”
Me: “That’s an odd thing to give as a present.”
Student 1 [clutching the potato]: “It’s actually the best present he’s ever given me.”
Me: “What!? That’s not a very high bar.”
Student 1: “One time he gave me a pregnancy test for my birthday. So, yeah, I’my happy to get a potato.” (12/7/21)
Student 1 [upon entering the classroom]: “Mister, why does it smell like Home Depot in here?”
Me: “???”
Student 2: “What are you talking about?”
Student 1: “It smells like Home Depot in here…Why is it spelled dee-pot?”
Student 2: “What!?”
Student 1: “Hey. Leave me alone. I like the smell of Home Depot.” (12/6/21)
Student 1: “Mister, I’m so disappointed that you didn’t bring your dog today.”
Student 2: “Mister, you have a dog?”
Me: “Yes.”
Student 2: “How long have you had him…or her.”
Student 3 [interjects]: “Did you know that if you believe in reincarnation there’s a chance that your dog could be Hitler?” (12/2/21)
Me [to Student 1]: “What are you drawing?”
Student 1: “Oh, it’s one of my cats.”
Student 2: “I used to hate cats, but now I think they’re OK.”
Student 1 [showing us a picture]: “These are my three cats. Their names are [I forgot what he said]. Do you have any pets?”
Student 2: “No. I wish I did.”
Me: “I have a dog.”
Student 2: “YOU HAVE A DOG!? Can I see a picture.”
Me: “This is my dog, Hina.”
Student 2: “She’s so cute. You should bring her to school so I can meet her.”
Me: “I can’t. I don’t want to get into trouble.”
As class started, we all quickly refocused on our work for the full ninety minute period.
Student 2 [as she was leaving class]: “Bye Mister. Don’t forget to bring your dog tomorrow.” (12/1/21)
