A story that sticks

We all have stories that live in our hearts.  Stories we come back to over and over again for inspiration, comfort, and assurance that we do make a difference.  One of my favorite stories is from early in my teaching career--year three or four, I think.  At the time, I was working for a charter school.  The school was populated largely by students who had not alternatives left; students who had been expelled from other schools or were escaping negative peer situations.  None of that is really relevant, though.  This is the story about the first time a student mistook me for his mother.

This particular young man was incredibly sweet, but lacked the common sense God gave a rock.  For the purposes of this story, his pseudonym will be Derrick.  Derrick, as you can imagine, was constantly getting himself into trouble--mostly because of his aforementioned lack of sense.  After a particularly disruptive episode, Derrick was assigned to our In School Suspension room.  The program was run by a red-faced ex marine with a penchant for yelling.  While he was extremely effective at maintaining order and was able to establish positive relationships with many students, Derrick and he had a contentious history.  I, on the other hand, had developed an extremely positive relationship with Derrick.

I asked Mr. B (another pseudonym, of course) to call my classroom if Derrick caused him any trouble.  I wasn't sure he would actually call me--what teacher ever wants to admit another adult might have better luck?  In this case, I was wrong.  Mr. B called me in the middle of the day during one of my classes.  I answered the phone to hear him blustering on about Derrick's poor behavior.  Initially, I asked him to put Derrick on the phone.  Rather than doing so, Mr. B continued talking. And talking. And talking.  I asked him again more forcefully to put Derrick on the phone.  Again he refused.  My tone must have become quite strident because a hush fell over the students in front of me as I demanded "Put him on the phone!"

Finally, Derrick came to the phone.  By this point I was irate, so as soon as Derrick answered, I snarled "What is wrong with you today?!?"  Derrick, caught completely off guard by my tone, responded with "Huh?"  Now, those who have worked in urban settings may be aware that "huh" is the height of disrespect when responding to an authority figure.  As angry as I was, I lit into that child with a passion I am almost ashamed to acknowledge.  I tore him a new one.  I berated him for embarrassing me and himself with such vehemence that the 30 odd students in my classroom sat completely silent and awed as I spat into the phone.  After a few minutes I wound down and took a deep breath.

At that moment, Derrick interjected with "Ms. Hirsch, I'm sorry I said 'huh' before.  For a little minute, I thought you was my mamma."

I still smile just thinking about that moment.  As soon as the words were out, my anger dissipated completely.  It took every ounce of will power I possessed not to laugh out loud  as I realized what poor Derrick had just experienced.  You see, to him, I represented a complete enigma.  His mother frequently asked him what was wrong with him--a fact I knew well once I thought about it.  Mr. B had told Derrick he was calling me, but when I asked him what was wrong with him, he became completely confused.  He recognized my voice, but the phone and the question combined to convince him that his mother was on the phone berating him.  His unintended response to his confusion was "huh."  As I yelled at him, he became aware of who was on the phone and realized his error.  His apology was sincere...and hilarious.

My class must have sensed that the danger had passed, because movement, sound, and work (I hope) reignited.  Derrick went on to have a trouble free day in ISS, and life continued.  But for me, this moment is priceless.  It represents the depth of feeling I have for my students, and the depth of the relationship we often form.  How precious is the thought that a student might know me and I him and his family so well that such a confusion could surface.  How deep the trust must have been for him to openly admit what had happened to him and then apologize!

It seems silly and perhaps far fetched, but it is moments like these I return to when I need a reminder that most of what teenagers do that seems so cunningly designed to aggravate us is rarely malicious, or even intentional.  I often have to pause when confronted with a situation that irks my nerves and re-consider what motivates the behavior that has pushed me over the edge.  It doesn't always work, and let's be honest, sometimes I see red and can't regain perspective in the moment.  But I strive to keep this story in mind.  And almost every time I do, I am able to turn a moment of frustration into one more good thing.