16 Of The Most Interesting Work Stories Shared By This Person Who Worked As A Teacher/Counselor For 20 Years

Killing time before a field trip for middle schoolers, and 2 kids who I never saw interact before created a memorable event. Boy with autism, usually on computer asks to play a game of charades with cheerleader. Cheerleader complies, and says 'give me a minute to think of something.' Boy says 'oooh, oooh, I know what you are! You're a pretty girl!' Girl blushes, and after composing herself continues the game.

Incident that most eroded my faith in educational institutions happened as a result of an administrator. Guy was one of 3 superintendents of elementary school district. Got caught molesting his daughter on school grounds. Found out about it from his son in the most heartbreaking conversation of my life. School had done it's best to make sure parents were unaware of the event. This cover-up was attempted by the school principal, as well as the NPO I was working for. Parents found out eventually, and enough parents transferred students so a teacher had to be downsized the following year. Messed up situation, but in all aspects admin was primarily focused on securing funding, not on the safety of their students.

Twins, especially boy/girl fraternal twins were almost always the best behaved in terms of interacting with other students. Their situation leads them to understand the challenges and concerns their gender does not. As such, they are generally more socially aware and are excellent at conflict resolution and overall empathy.
One year I had to re-evaluate my prejudices when I learned my favorite family of kids was undocumented. 3 kids who grew up in fairly hostile environment, but made it through the worst to get a better life here. These students also demonstrate better social awareness and compassion for those in difficult situations. Can't say the same for all kids born and raised here.

On rainy days we have to improvise a game that is both educational, engaging, and withing budget. Not an easy task. We played 'country ball,' a game where students would throw a blow-up globe with all the countries listed on it. Students needed to 1) catch the ball, and 2)name a country not named earlier before 3)throwing it to another student. Students kept getting out as they either missed a catch, or named a country someone else had. This particular game was very intense, and students were desperately finding countries no-one had named before to stay in. This 3rd grade girl was one of 3 still in. She caught the ball, and found a country name she hadn't heard anyone say yet. With the most enthusiastic and innocent voice of a student who knew she was steps away from winning, she yelled out 'Niger!'

Except she didn't say 'Niger.' The class fell silent, some students gasped, and my co-worker excused himself. Poor kid became so nervous. Only thing I thought to say was 'that's... not.. how it's pronounced,' before telling her she was out. Had a private talk with her about what that word meant, and let parents know situation. Otherwise student wasn't disciplined. Found co-worker few minutes after in the next room recomposing himself from laughing. Talked about this incident for years.

One of my first posts here was explaining an incident in which middle-school students debated the 'trolley problem.' I would shift from a serious to trivial topic each week. Most memorable debates were the trolley one, best junk food, and a button pressing one.
Students successfully argued that pizza was the best junk food, out of a fairly large group including burgers, ice cream, candy, soda, donuts and chicken tenders. Pizza was settled upon as it could 1) be a full meal and 2) make good leftovers.
The button pressing one was quite intense. The choice was a single button, you push it and you can read everyone's mind. The downside is that everyone can read your mind. Got into really good debate regarding privacy, individual rights, and if pressing the button would turn humanity into a hive-mind (like the Zerg!)

I started a DnD group for middle-schoolers, primarily based off Imgur community getting me involved. Students rolled their characters, I spent a week creating a map of a world for students to explore, along with political intrigue and various paths the could take going forward. One kid's parent was Catholic. Group was not allowed to meet during after-school hour before we even started the campaign. Unforgivable.
I have had to write my share of CPS reports over the years. Rather not go into too much detail, but the worst actions I perpetrated against children I know of come from parents.

This event happened early in my career, and I have come to regret how I handled it. This kid would cry at the slightest contact of the ball. I don't think it was the ball hitting that got to her, but rather the idea someone would willingly hurt her. My response was to take her aside, and with the ball held place it on her shoulder. I asked if it hurt. 'No.' Next I lifted it and told her I would drop it on her shoulder. Di so, and she seemed to have no reaction. Lastly, I picked the ball back up and told her I would throw it underhand to her, and she should try to catch it. Did o, and it just kinda rolled down her body. She went back to play, and didn't cry anymore. She did seem fairly violent in the eyes when she threw the ball from then on. At the time I convinced myself I was 'toughening her up' for a world that crushes the weak. Come to think now that I robbed the world of a person who would have helped create a more merciful and less cruel world.

For future reference, this reaction is a sign of abuse at home and should be reported to CPS. CPS reports aren't judge jury, executioner deal. Writing one means, if you're lucky an agent will stop by the kid's house and take note of the situation. Even then, rarely is action taken, but can sometimes spook abusers into treating their kids better.

All of these are groups of anecdotal evidence, but this particular one is just one guy. Had a student get killed in a drive-by shooting a block from the middle-school. Cops were frantically trying to contact the school cop, who was the closest to the scene. Cop never answered calls, he was having an affair down the road.
This info came to light due to school gossip, and was later confirmed by local sheriffs who would train us for school-shooting protocols. They mentioned that often the police send their most problematic to the schools, as they feel they can't cause as much trouble there. Haven't looked at any school cops same since.