INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING
We just finished discussing an excerpt about a young woman who nearly got raped. My students are packing up to mosey along to their next class.
STUDENT 1
He tried to have sex with her.
STUDENT 2
(shoots Student 1 a glare)
It's intercourse.
STUDENT 1
Sex.
STUDENT 2
Don't say that. Say intercourse.
STUDENT 1
No. Because it's S-E-X.
STUDENT 2
Intercourse. INTERCOURSE.
STUDENT 1
(incredulously)
C'mon. Just call it sex.
STUDENT 2
(turns towards me)
Ms. Wong, shouldn't we say intercourse?
HELEN
(trying not to show that I'm slightly amused by shuffling a stack o' papers)
You can say it either way. There is no need to argue about it.
STUDENT 1
(triumphantly)
See! Sex!
STUDENT 2
(dismissively)
It's intercourse, thank you very much.
STUDENT 1
(defiantly)
I can say sex if I want.
HELEN
I said there's no need to argue about it here. I don't want to hear you guys debating about this again. (pause) Do I make myself clear?
STUDENT 1 & 2
Yes.
He tried to have sex with her.
STUDENT 2
(shoots Student 1 a glare)
It's intercourse.
STUDENT 1
Sex.
STUDENT 2
Don't say that. Say intercourse.
STUDENT 1
No. Because it's S-E-X.
STUDENT 2
Intercourse. INTERCOURSE.
STUDENT 1
(incredulously)
C'mon. Just call it sex.
STUDENT 2
(turns towards me)
Ms. Wong, shouldn't we say intercourse?
HELEN
(trying not to show that I'm slightly amused by shuffling a stack o' papers)
You can say it either way. There is no need to argue about it.
STUDENT 1
(triumphantly)
See! Sex!
STUDENT 2
(dismissively)
It's intercourse, thank you very much.
STUDENT 1
(defiantly)
I can say sex if I want.
HELEN
I said there's no need to argue about it here. I don't want to hear you guys debating about this again. (pause) Do I make myself clear?
STUDENT 1 & 2
Yes.
Nonetheless, they are endearing - all the time.
INT. CLASSROOM - MIDMORNING
STUDENT 1
Ms. Wong, do you know why I hate summer school?
HELEN
Why?
STUDENT 1
Because you get addicted!
HELEN
What??
STUDENT 1
(dramatically)
You get addicted to the teachers, and after 4 weeks, they leave you. And they're gone. Forever.
STUDENT 2
(nodding fervently)
Yeah!
STUDENT 1
(imploringly)
Can you come teach at our school this fall, please?
One more week in the merry midst of my blatantly brilliant and awe-inspiring Ninja Star Scholars.
One more week to muster up my very best to push 'em, by God's grace, closer to achievement, 'cause they deserve the very best. One. More. Week. Of. Institute. Left!!! Thank you all so very much, guys and dolls, for your interminable support, uplifting encouragement, and fervent prayer throughout this entire training in the trenches. God is so good to bestow upon me such amazing people en mi vida. I am ever grateful for y'all.
Ms. Wong, do you know why I hate summer school?
HELEN
Why?
STUDENT 1
Because you get addicted!
HELEN
What??
STUDENT 1
(dramatically)
You get addicted to the teachers, and after 4 weeks, they leave you. And they're gone. Forever.
STUDENT 2
(nodding fervently)
Yeah!
STUDENT 1
(imploringly)
Can you come teach at our school this fall, please?
One more week in the merry midst of my blatantly brilliant and awe-inspiring Ninja Star Scholars.
One more week to muster up my very best to push 'em, by God's grace, closer to achievement, 'cause they deserve the very best. One. More. Week. Of. Institute. Left!!! Thank you all so very much, guys and dolls, for your interminable support, uplifting encouragement, and fervent prayer throughout this entire training in the trenches. God is so good to bestow upon me such amazing people en mi vida. I am ever grateful for y'all.
8 comments:
yayayayy good luck! seems like you have been doing an amazing jorb! :]
oh my gosh, why are you so awesome? i wish i had you as a teacher!
Congrats on your last week! What a joy to serve students made in the very image of God himself!
It's so interesting as to what these kids say. Glad I got to meet you Helen! (through Richelle at the fair) :)
Same goes to you and thanks for some of the advice! We never stop learning and growing...life is great
hahaah i love this! i love you!
aww so cute. praise God helen. really, for softened hearts and favor and growth. you've made a mark in their lives more than just academically :) so proud to be able to call you my frienddd!
awwwww loved reading about how your summer is going!! seems like they LOVE you! :)
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