Yeah, So I Sucked Up To The Teacher. So What?
Every day, I sit in the carpool line to pick Jack up from school.
Yes, I sit. I sit because I am ALWAYS early. That wasn't always the case.
It was his second day of school. I took Max and Lincoln to the beautiful land of red and white (aka Target) while Jack was at school, and we shopped and ate nachos covered in orange processed cheese sauce. It was raining, and I wasn't quite sure how long it would take me to get back to his school.
In fact, I wasn't sure HOW to get back to his school - except to take the loooooong way. Through construction. In the rain.
Needless to say, I was late. Six whole minutes late. Apparently, in preschool time, six minutes is like an eternity. Because when I pulled up to the carpool line, there were no cars there, and there were no children standing outside.
So, I sat for a few minutes, then decided that I would have to go inside carrying Lincoln's baby seat and with Max in tow - IN THE STINKIN' RAIN - and be reprimanded by his teacher for being late. I pulled into a parking spot, turned off the car, and got out. As life usually happens, Mrs. B and Jack came walking out of the building - looking for my car. Got back in, turned on the car, and headed to the carpool line.
As I made some lame attempt at explaining that I was new to this side of town, got lost, got stuck in construction, and was slowed down by the rain, Mrs. B. gave me her best teacher eyebrow and said, "School is over at 2:35."
OUCH.
The insecure third grader in me cringed, and I felt like I'd just been sent to the principal's office. To get paddled.
So, I came home, and wrote her a note:
Dear Mrs. B.,
I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for being late on Friday. I feel terrible about it. Jack is loving school and we are so thankful for the investment you are making into his life."
Sincerely,
The late one who is attempting to suck up to you.
Ok, so I didn't really sign it like that, but I can assure you that I have never been late since that day.
Mrs. B. always smiles at me as she brings Jack to the car. I know why.
I'm proof that her eyebrow thingy still works like a charm.
Oh no - the dreaded eyebrow! Glad she hasn't had to use it again!
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious! There is nothing wrong with being a suck up. I was voted the biggest brown noser when I graduated from high school. A little flattery can get you a long way in life, especially with a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI think I shrunk in my seat just reading about "the reprimand".
ReplyDeleteAmazing how they can still do that to an adult!
LOL!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny that you can do right for so long and one mess-up marks you for life? Ok, so maybe not for life, but I bet Mrs B would enjoy some of those black bat cookies in a really cool painted pot filled to the brim with candy corn. Take it from a former teacher, letters are nice, but candy is better! :-D
OOooooh, or maybe some Utz chips! ;-)
Oh man, I would have totally been shaking in my seat too. :-)
ReplyDeleteSar-- You are a hoot, girl. You make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteSar-- You are a hoot, girl. You make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteyou make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteTotally had the eyebrow thing down when I taught school. It doesn't work on my OWN children, but it did reduce others to complete obedience!
ReplyDeleteIt's even more effective when you suck in your cheeks at the same time.
You didn't tell me about the note! Was it accompanied with baked goods? :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Isn't it funny the emotions that come back to the surface with teachers and principles? It cracks me up that they can be younger than me and I am still uncomfortable around them. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
I can so feel your pain. Did you take her some pine bark? You'll have a friend for life.
ReplyDeletelol...I loved that story! So funny!
ReplyDeletei think teachers have to come off as stern and unbending. too many parents take advantage of the schools in this area. i bet she practices her crooked eyebrow look =)
ReplyDelete