My mamacita called me over the weekend, and we had a good laugh over my last post. You know, the one detailing my totally rocking fourth grade year? She informed me that the musical chairs thing was not, in fact, an isolated phenomenon; it actually occurred every year from kindergarten right on up. Huh. Imagine that. I totally do not remember. Or maybe I've repressed it? I'm very good at repressing. I should have majored in repressing, that how good I am at it. Ask anyone! Especially a member of my family! They will totally tell you.
I mean, that time I angrily carved a nasty message to my sister in her brand new solid wood captain bed? Repressed. Or the time I pulled a Jan Brady and told my entire family I wished I were an only child so I could get good STUFF like my friends who were only children? No recollection. Oh! Or how about all the times I bossed my two older sisters around? And they totally did my bidding? Until my mother told them to freaking cut it out and stop encouraging me? Doesn't ring a bell. Thank goodness for sibs who take a fiendish pleasure in reminding me of these teensy little lapses in etiquette every freaking time we get together. C'mon, guys! I was a child! Let it GO!
Something I have NOT repressed, however, is the memory I have of my overwhelming desire-- nay, obsessive NEED--to earn candy at school. Mmm! CANDY! Seriously. Whatever it took. 100% on a spelling test? Check! Memorize my multiplication tables? Check! Stealing candy from Gabriel's desk after losing a round of Spelling Bingo because I was totally robbed and he probably cheated anyway?! CHECK! Hmmm... I think this is what you call "selective memory." But I digress.
Wait. Where was I? Oh yes, the phone call. Seems the reason my momma called was to share with me a conversation she remembers having with my "Best Teacher Ever!" back in the day (has a mind like a steel trap, my momma, I kid you not). Apparently, after informing my mother of my antics in the classroom, Miss M who is now Mrs. H revealed, "You know, sometimes? when she takes over the class? I just sit back and watch her go! After a while I realize, 'Hey. Wait. I'M the teacher here!' and I wrestle back control. But it is fun to watch her."
Um, "takes over the class"? "Wrestle back control"? I categorically deny all of this. I have no idea what the crazy woman was talking about. LIES! All LIES! My mother-- who was not unjustifiably horrified-- tried to apologize for me. But Miss M who is now Mrs. H simply silenced her with a laugh.
"Oh, no!" she said to my momma. "Cathy's a joy to have in class! I would never crush that spirit in her. That girl's going to be a leader some day."
Gosh. I almost busted a tear, y'all. What a lady, that Miss M who is now Mrs. H! What an educator. I must say, I suppose an adult's perspective, an educator's perspective, ain't such a bad thing after all, yo? And guys? GUYS? I hope to someday live up to her expectations.
7 Comments:
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Nessa commented:
Mrs. H obviously rocked and saw what we all get to see now!
- » 9/19/2005 9:38 AM
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LadyBug commented:
*sniff*
Seriously. I got a little choked up there.- » 9/19/2005 10:20 AM
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Not-So-Normal-Mom commented:
Personally, I think you already are living up to Mrs. H's expectations.
- » 9/19/2005 10:31 AM
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Ern commented:
What a great teacher! BTW, I shared your last post with my mom, who is a professor of education, and she LOVED it. Maybe she'll share it with her teachers-to-be.
- » 9/19/2005 11:33 AM
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Cat commented:
Aaaw, shucks, you guys! I was NOT fishing, promise! I just realized that my favorite teacher was in actuality completely deserving of the title, is all...
Ern: Using my story as a cautionary tale? Great idea!
Hee.
;)
mrtl: CANDY! Hey. You know who I should send candy? Gabriel, that's who! The little cheater. I still feel bad, though.- » 9/19/2005 11:46 AM
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WILLIAM commented:
They gave you candy for doing well in school? I feel cheated.
This is totally off topic here.(sorry)...But whats up with the chick from Veronica Mars singing "Fame" last night on the Emmy's?- » 9/19/2005 2:52 PM
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Cat commented:
OMAHGAWSH! William, was she not the cutest thing EVAH?! Honestly! Almost gets dropped on her ass and STILL maintains that huge smile, not to mention the fact that she has a fantastic singing voice! Love her! I should definitely catch her in Reefer Madness one of these days...
I heart Kristen Bell. And the Fame theme song? Classic! Baby, remember MY name.- » 9/19/2005 4:19 PM