What? Seriously?

Friday, May 5, 2023

I was invited to come for snacks to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by the principal this morning. I was delighted.

I have been subbing for my favorite math teacher as she recovers from surgery. I subbed for her a few days earlier in the month, then started a week ago doing nine days. I didn’t know any of the kids. As always, I quickly learned the names of the kids I kept telling to sit down or to talk less. Learning the names of the quiet kids always takes more time.

Picture seating charts are an enormous help – both in learning names and in keeping kids from switching seats. The routine in this class is usually that I do the lesson, then sit down at the table in front to wait while they are starting the assignment. It usually only takes a minute or two for the first kid(s) to show up to say, “I have no idea how to do this.” (Of course, I continually ask during the lesson if there are questions. There are NEVER questions.) But in that minute or two, I look at the kids and then at the picture seating chart, trying to learn names. I think it means a lot when someone knows or doesn’t know your name, so I really try to learn them as quickly as possible. It also realllllllly helps when you are say, “James, why are you wondering around the room?” instead of “Hey, you. Sit down.”

Anyway, I noticed there was a girl named Henry. I immediately thought, “Why? Why did you do that, parents?” I am judgy about names. I do not like names I am uncomfortable saying – totally my deal, I know – but Princess and Sweetheart feel like nicknames that only close friends should use. Anyway, Henry. She was quiet – no reason to say her name – no reason not to – but c’mon, parents. Then I realized maybe she was they or he and had changed to Henry, and I thought STOP being so judgy.

A day went by. I noticed Henry while I was taking attendance and Mazy and Brynn were absent next to her.

Then the next day, Henry said, “Good morning, Mrs. Thompson,” as he came in. Yes, he. When Henry is standing up, he is very obviously a boy. He is fine featured and has long, blond hair, and is definitely a boy.

I MISTOOK AN EIGHTH GRADE BOY WITH LONG HAIR FOR A GIRL.

It’s not like I have never met an eighth-grade boy with long, blond hair, is it? It is not.