A Teachable Moment

This past week, one of our 6th grade teacher teams (all female) asked me to speak to one of their boys. (our guidance counselor, Mike, was out sick today and they needed a male teacher, fast)

It seems this young feller has been, how do I say this, 'er, "enjoying himself a bit too much" in class, even after repeated appeals to stop. Ah, it seems mother nature is a powerful force! Well, I told my colleagues I would be happy to help. I have to say it was a teaching situation I hadn't encountered in 12 years on the job, and being an expert, 'er I mean, "somewhat knowledgeable" in the area, felt I might be able to offer the boy some advice.

To say the least it was an interesting conversation. With no time to prepare I just decided we'd put the cards right on the table as they say. (It should be noted that, while being introduced to the young man, I chose NOT to shake his hand) After some general talk about the normalcy of bodily changes and some chatting about how some things are best in a certain "time and place" I asked him if he had any more to say. He told me he understood why this might be a problem in school but proceeded to tell me that there are times when he's the only person left on the bus and he's "sure" the bus driver can't seem him. "Mr. S, is that like being alone? What about that place?" The Kids are Alright, I thought.

I liked playing the role of counselor for a change. I figure it's good practice for me considering my own son will be a pre-teen one of these days.

Later that afternoon, my principal informed me that our counselor Mike, had just spoken to this boy a few days earlier and, yet, the young fellow was back to it today which is why they came to me. Having been a middle school teacher and counselor herself for many years, my principal Debbie, was resigned to the fact that this behavior might be a tough thing to correct, jokingly adding "we might just have to get the boy a beach towel."