Anderson

"Literal language," I explained, "is when you say exactly what you mean. For instance, if you want to tell me that Meg has blue eyes, you would say 'Meg has blue eyes.' Figurative language is the opposite. When you use figurative language people have to figure out what you mean. Get it? So if you want to say the same thing with fig--"

Before I had a chance to complete that thought I heard in the purest falsetto, from the back of the room, "She's got eyes of the bluest skies." Anderson's Guns N' Roses tribute momentarily silenced the class.

And then I had to admit... it really wasn't a bad example.

Chelle

It tooks months of cajoling, but my students finally got me to tell them that I voted for Barack Obama. Seriously, I'm a teacher. Voting Democrat is in my contract.

I was pretty reticent to share because in the diverse group of students I teach, there were avid supporters of both candidates. But I gave in because, well, I am a sucker.

Anyway, I was feeling pretty crappy about it, but as Chelle left my classroom, she looked at me and said, "Hey thanks."

I asked what for, and she said, "For helping to make history."

Brayan

Brayan has the face of a Cabbage Patch doll... and the stature of one. And a whole bunch of fluffy hair. He's a really sweet kid though. Let me tell you what I mean.

Brayan raised his hand in class yesterday and let me know in no uncertain terms that there was a cockroach on my bookshelf. "Can I kill it?" he asked, and I could hear the hope and anticipation in his voice.

Never one to disappoint a child, I knocked it off the shelf so he could smash it with his shoe. As he wiped its remains up with a tissue and deposited them in the trash can, he smiled at me (this doubled the width of his face.) "I'm a good boy."

You really can't make this stuff up.