Who Am I?
There are many hats that I wear -- mother, wife, daughter, friend, teacher, team manager/coach, softball player (I'd say athlete, but you'd all know I was lying!!), and on and on. There seems to be one that stands out above all others to many people though, and that is......TEACHER. One of my former students, who I may have again this year, told her mother this morning, "I didn't know Mrs. McComb was such a party animal." Actually after that comment I probably won't have her this year!! He he! : ) Anyway, it all started Friday night when she came over to my house. We had invited several couples from our team to come over (as happens after every game -- it just ended up being our house this time), as well as her parents who are actually "the opposition"!! [Side note: Their team beat us, and as that was the only team we hadn't played yet, we are now officially in last place.....but that's a whole different post!!] We left the game and got here about 10:00, so it was a late night. Everyone left about 1:00, and I guess she later told her mom she couldn't believe I was still up. I hate to tell her that if she and her parents hadn't been here, maybe I wouldn't have been up, but...details!!! Anyway, the next day was her dad's birthday so we went to their house for his birthday party. We had lots of fun. It was even a Mexican theme, so Bret fit right in!! There was swimming, pinatas (one for the kids and one for the adults), food, drinks, and my favorite.....volleyball. I actually have bruises on my forearms today from playing so much last night. Fun, fun. Anyway, we left about 12:30, and I'm guessing that was probably past my "teacher curfew" as well. I'm not sure how I rated as the only party animal out of all the people who were there, but that kind of things seems to regularly happen. I know it always amazes kids when they see their teacher at the grocery store or somewhere out in public, but many parents seem to have the same reaction. I don't get it. They go to their jobs and take care of their daily responsibilities just like I do. Just because I spend my work day in a classroom, does that somehow make me different?? I don't see myself any differently. I'm working to make money for my family and I to live the life we'd like to live just like all families do. I go to work and try to do my best job. Are there times I could do better - heck yeah, but I'm human. Hopefully other people will recognize that too.
Posted in: on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at at 6:13 PM
I think this reaction is related to the reaction celebrities get from the public. Teachers are a "public figure" that everyone knows. So, uh, you're kind of famous.
On top of that, teachers are role models for children, which makes it impossible for them to live up to the ethical standard to which they are held, especially with each parent having their own unique standard of ethics.
The other day, we ran into the principal of Alison's school at the Pub. Can you believe it? The Principal? Drinking? Of, course we were the ones' at the pub with our nine year old!
I'm famous, huh -- well that's pretty cool!! : ) Ha! You never know when or where you'll run into someone -- like the principal at the bar. I bet s/he has some questions for you guys now!!! : ) Being as we live in such a small community, my students run into me everywhere (not that I've run into any at the bar yet!). They are getting a well-rounded view of my life for sure!