Always an opportunity to learn

As my students were peacefully working on a review assignment one picked up his head and got distracted (as they often do) by a student in the hall. This must have sparked something because immediately he had a story to tell.
"Miss J, James got hit by a car today."
"WHAT?!"
"Yeah I saw it..."
"Okay, well Dante you can tell me the story if and only if you can tell me if you are a primary source or secondary source in this situation."
"Primary source. Duh. Anyway, we all managed to cross the street before it came, but you know James, he's so slow, and he got out of the way of the car but the mirror smacked right into him!"
"Oh god."
"Then, we went to 7/11 and there was this white police officer and James told him what happened and he goes 'eh, you'll be fine.'"

Another student informed me today that our administrator told him today that small teachers (shorter than students) are allowed to hit kids because they are the same size. "Good," I said and picked up my pointer thing and started moving in his direction. "No way. You can't hit me. Not in those heels."

I have fostered a sense of community for myself at work. This has probably been true for a long time, but I finally came to the realization today. I work with my mother (honestly, when she said "cover those white legs" today I swear I was back in Buffalo...), my three fiercely loyal and unconditionally supportive older brothers and my goofy, playful best friend. I am considering staying in middle school one more year to continue the relationships I have with the fine men with whom I spend my days.