Expect the Unexpected

Today, I was going to town. I was teaching; kids were listening; learning was happening. It was great! Then, the mouse popped out of its house. One student saw him first and, of course, announced it to the entire class. What ensued next was nothing like teaching, learning and listening. Instead, screaming, shrieking and leaping (onto desks) occurred. The mouse, sensing the chaos, decided to sprint across the floor directly into a group of giggly girls. The shrieks got louder. Boys began chasing the mouse and by some incredible stab of luck, one boy managed to throw a box over it. It was caught.

From atop my stool, I managed to issue orders: Go get the custodian! Notify the nurse! Call animal control. Don't touch it! Stop poking at its tail!

The phone rang. The sweet teacher from next door had heard the screaming and decided to check on our safety. I somehow leapt from the stool to the desktop to answer it. I convinced her to get the coach from next door to come remove the dangerous beast. He did. Still on my desk I said to the kids, "Okay! It's over! Everyone calm down!"

"Uh, Mrs. Cloer, you're the one on the desktop." A few giggles. Well, I was. I hate critters. I gave everyone antibacterial gel, and we continued the class.

All day, I heard the story from kids and teachers who weren't even there. Kids I don't even teacher grinned and made "eek, eek" sound at me in the hall. It was actually funny.

Sometimes things happen, and we don't know how to react. This was one of those times,and it worked out just fine. Don't sweat the unexpected. Enjoy the chance for your kids to discover that you are a real human being!