Ok. I am the first to admit that I am a bit of a “ham”. I enjoy a good laugh, even when it is at my expense. However, my recent endeavors have caused me to look back at myself and my colleagues and the things we do to get our students’ attention or to make a point.
One teacher I know proudly dons her tiara and blue feathered boa. Wearing this royal attire, she parades through the school with her head held high and her scepter in hand. Why? Well, for the grand voting for the Texas Bluebonnet Award-winning book. The kids love it, and so does everyone else. One year I made a deal with my kids (following her shining example) that if they all read the books required I would dress up like a bluebonnet. You should have seen me and my husband putting that costume together! Better yet, the looks on the faces of my students when I fulfilled my end of the bargain because they fulfilled theirs! Did I look foolish? Well. Undoubtedly! Did I have fun! You bet – how many others have a career where the bosses don’t object to their employees playing dress up? Did the kids learn they could trust me? Absolutely. And that made it all worthwhile.
Over the years I have seen, heard, and done many things you would not imagine a teacher doing in the interest of teaching children. One math teacher I know literally would stand on her head in class. Another teacher I know wears silly hats when it is a day that the students are to enter and sit without talking at all. Teachers have climbed up onto their desks, worn interesting head gear, and dressed in strange outfits.
This week, in my effort to encourage my students for the upcoming TAKS tests, I brought in “Babs”. Is Babs really me? Well, yes. I don’t think there is any doubt about that. However, Babs is a bit of a country bumpkin. On top of that she is loud, obnoxious, and supremely confident in her abilities to “wrassle ‘gaters” or be a model for Tractor Supply. One lady I work with had the opportunity to meet Babs for the first time this year. I will never forget her words to me, “So. Got much pride left?” I had to laugh.
However, I believe my point was made. Did we have fun in the process? Sure. Did the kids enjoy it? I believe so – I heard today as the kids came in, “Wow, Miss…Babs was fun!” It is important to remind them every now and then that I do believe in them and their abilities. However, sometimes I don’t think they believe me. So….I became “Babs” for them. As tiring as it was, it was worth it. Babs was a hit, the kids understood, and we got a little comic relief from the stress of our last-chance preparations for the math and reading TAKS tests.
I’m thinking I need a new character….maybe an old granny lady telling tall tales…..what do you think?
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and is actively working toward a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Married with four children, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 14 years. Her husband, Jeremy, owns a local company that specializes in web design, custom computer builds, and on-
