If You Can’t Beat ‘em…Join ‘em

Week after week – Karah had waited for her class to be in charge of the “Rise and Shine” presentation. Her moment of glory finally arrived.

Her teacher had done mission work in Africa and had a few skirts and head wraps from her trip. Karah was chosen to wear one of them. She practiced her part every night until she had it memorized. She took it all very seriously.

The morning of her performance she was practicing her lines. In an effort to teach her better stage presence, I acted out her part…with much fervor (aka obnoxiousness).

“We share our food with one another!”, I began quoting as I enthusiastically acted out handing someone a plate and eating.

“Um…mom…they don’t eat food with that hand in Africa”, she said in “omg” African frustration.

“Why not?”, I asked in Western innocence.

“They use that hand for something else”, she said in embarrassment.

“Like what?”, I pressed.

“Like… wiping” she replied…staring at her feet (which was awkward and ironic since she was sitting on the toilet while we were having this conversation).

Public school is WAY beyond what it was back in the day. When I was in school, all I learned about Africa was that Rhinos are from the horse family and that Cheetah’s maul their prey if it’s a small catch…but if they catch something big – they go straight for the throat and block the windpipe until the animal stops breathing. 

That was then. Now…the kids know so much more! Even which hand people wipe with. Tax dollars working for us!!

During the performance, Karah was focused and listened intently…waiting for her turn. She was oblivious to the impatience which was growing around her…

 

…for awhile…until she could overlook it no longer. She was visibly ticked off that her classmates weren’t reverently waiting “in character”.

 

Her turn finally arrived. She had her part memorized – but still opted for the cheat sheet…just in case. She did a great job with her intonation! 

  

She then finished out the rest of the performance and decided…

If you can’t beat em….join em.

And yet another thing that has changed since I went to school…

Since when do teacher’s butt’s look good in jeans?? 

My teachers looked like this in their jeans…

I suppose that’s the purpose in wearing the Tigger and Pooh sweatshirt. It sends a clear message to the janitor and tray collector in the lunchroom.

“I am not a woman  during school hours…I am a teacher. Back off.”

Tigger has scared off many a man…even in Africa.