All teachers have experienced hilarious or poignant moments in their teaching careers that live on in their memories long after other details of the day have faded. What about you? What is your most memorable moment?
So What Are We Gonna Do This Year?
Twenty-three years old. My first job—teaching Grade 8 social studies (I was an English major). I
stood at the front of the class. Slouched in a desk, second from the front on the left side, arms folded
and scowling, sat Vince.
Vince snarled, “So what are we gonna do this year?”
Deep breath. “Well,” I responded, “we are going to learn about Japan.”
Unimpressed, Vince harrumphed. His eyes and scowl said, “And . . .?”
I added, “And we are going to study Canadian government.”
Vince remained immobile. “Is that all?”
“No, we will also be learning about Canadian geography.”
Vince rolled his eyes.
“As well,” I added in a moment of revelation, “we will be studying Current Events.”
Vince sat up. I thought he was going to stand up. The mall glaze was gone from his eyes. Had I found
something that had piqued his interest? Was that enthusiasm in his eyes? No . . . it was an accusatory
glare. He blurted, “We took that last year!”
Submitted by Jock Mackenzie
jockmac@xplornet.com
www.jockmackenzie.net
This article is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s January 2009 issue.