I worked at an low-income urban public school in Nashville. I didn't realize it at the time, but I absolutely loved it. I miss working in MNPS (words I NEVER thought I'd say) the longer we are away. Working in this VERY high income, for-profit, private international schools has been a little bit of a shock to my system.
I sound like I don't enjoy my international students, but I do. They have their own unique charms, just like my kids back home did. But I think the most shocking part of working with such affluence is the crap these kids bring to school!
The other day I confiscated a laser pointer. Classic goods in a middle school. But this is like an industrial strength, retina damaging kind of laser pointer. It hurts looking at the little dot as we giggle at our Kitty frantically running around the house chasing her newest green foe.
WHAT DOES A MIDDLE SCHOOLER NEED WITH A LASER POINTER THIS STRONG?!
What does ANYBODY need with a laser pointer this strong outside of military service!? This laser could seriously cause some damage. To see how strong it was, the Mister shined the laser through our window and across the highway AND WE COULD STILL SEE THE LASER DOT! The kid I took it from was flabbergasted when I told him he wasn't getting it back till the end of the school year. But I'm sure I'll probably see him with another one later next week. Because that's been the common theme among our students here in Kuwait: if they want it, they'll get it.
One of the more shocking desires that many of the kids at my current school have had indulged is the yearning for an exotic pet. Students have lions, cheetahs, and rare breeds that are smuggled in from who knows where. It's disgusting, and most of my kids are really confused as to why their crazy American teachers are so upset by their pet choices.
What baby wants, baby gets.
Very different from my kids at home. But it certainly makes for some very entertaining times. Especially for the Kitty.
Vicariously yours,
I sound like I don't enjoy my international students, but I do. They have their own unique charms, just like my kids back home did. But I think the most shocking part of working with such affluence is the crap these kids bring to school!
The other day I confiscated a laser pointer. Classic goods in a middle school. But this is like an industrial strength, retina damaging kind of laser pointer. It hurts looking at the little dot as we giggle at our Kitty frantically running around the house chasing her newest green foe.
.JPG) |
| If you look closely, you can actually SEE the laser beam! |
What does ANYBODY need with a laser pointer this strong outside of military service!? This laser could seriously cause some damage. To see how strong it was, the Mister shined the laser through our window and across the highway AND WE COULD STILL SEE THE LASER DOT! The kid I took it from was flabbergasted when I told him he wasn't getting it back till the end of the school year. But I'm sure I'll probably see him with another one later next week. Because that's been the common theme among our students here in Kuwait: if they want it, they'll get it.
One of the more shocking desires that many of the kids at my current school have had indulged is the yearning for an exotic pet. Students have lions, cheetahs, and rare breeds that are smuggled in from who knows where. It's disgusting, and most of my kids are really confused as to why their crazy American teachers are so upset by their pet choices.
 |
| I shamelessly stole this from a colleague's facebook feed. It's a cheetah that has been left in someone's car while they go in to a mall for an evening stroll, I'm sure. |
What baby wants, baby gets.
Very different from my kids at home. But it certainly makes for some very entertaining times. Especially for the Kitty.
Vicariously yours,
so i take it you are bringing me back a monkey. CONFISCATE A MONKEY FROM ONE OF YOUR STUDENTS!!!
ReplyDeletedon't leave that thing pointing at anything too long- it may burn a hole in something!!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, Amber-- I can certainly relate! And our girl kitty makes the same noises when she's on a hunt for a fly or other moving object. Too bad you didn't get a chance to try the laser with that cheetah. Now that would've been some real blog entertainment.
ReplyDelete