There are two sides to every story. Heads or tails. Split personalities. Yin and yang. Toe-may-toe. Toe-mah-toe.
Around the office I suspect I am thought of as a clown, always ready with a joke or a wisecrack. Yet you, my loyal readers, probably think I am Mr. Serious. Literacy, data-driven assessment, new classroom technologies, and the teaching opportunities afforded by the 150th anniversary of the US Civil War are but a few of the more heavyweight topics I’ve touched upon in the few months I’ve been writing here.
Ah, but you have also seen flashes of the other side. My Dr. Strangelove post, for example, might have given you an inkling that, although I play for keeps, I am still just playing. And my field trip story might also have given you a chuckle.
I think all teachers have it in them. There’s the deadly serious Super Teacher who, when the time is right, switches into mild-mannered Clark Kent to show students a different side, perhaps to drive home a point.
So tell me, do you let your students see just The Teacher? Or do you also let your hair down once in a while, roll up your sleeves, and let loose in the fun?
Strong opinions are welcome, much like strong coffee at an insomniacs’ convention.