More teaching moments:

Andrew, Part Deux (ensuing a few short days after Part I):

Me: So, Andrew...
A: Uh-huh?
Me: About the word "me"...


And, after teaching a Jurassic 5 song to my writing class, walking out with a few of my students:

Me: Yeah, I still don't really get the "verbal Herman Munster" part. I'm just not sure why that would be a flattering comparison.
Student: His son's a werewolf.
Me: Hmm...and his father-in-law's a vampire...
Student: I think the real question is, "Who wouldn't want to be Herman Munster?"

It's hard to want to teach students different methods of critical thinking when their current worldviews are already particularly en point.

That's me, molding young minds...

So the other day my mom calls and asks if I can have a talk with my little brother. Apparently he has been having some problems in school-- refusing to capitalize the word "I" when it does not appear as the first word in a sentence and all. It was getting bad; the administration was beginning to wonder if he was a lost cause. But sometimes young people these days just need to be pointed in the right direction and given a little encouragement, that's all.

Me: okay, put him on.
Mom: (muffled, in the background) Andrew, there's someone on the phone who would like to talk to you.
Andrew: (after a slight pause.) Hello?
Me: Andrew.
A: Oh, hello Katherine.
Me: We have to talk.
A: Oh...
Me: It's about the word "I."
A: Uh-huh?
Me: Always capitalized.
A: (awe-struck) Really?
Me: No matter where it is in the sentence.
A: (baffled) You've got to be kidding me!
Me: No, that's just how it is.
A: Oh my gosh...
Me: Yep. So keep that in mind next time you work on your sentences, and you'll be okay.
A: Yeah?
Me: Yeah. You'll be okay...


...sometimes, when you reach out, they take your hand and pull themselves right up. It's a beautiful thing.