The first kind is the OCD, color-coding, file-foldering, stay on top of everything kind of English teacher. Never is a paper out of place, an assignment missing. They send things to the copy center months in advance and never have to think "hmm...what am I going to do today with my kids?" They're too anal for that.
The second kind of English teacher is the crazy pilly sweater, cat loving English teacher. Never can you find a paper you need. Their desk resembles a war zone, and forget about having stuff done ahead of time. They are eccentric to the max and usually live alone, near the library, with seven furry, meowing friends.
In the EHS English department there is a healthy mix of both of these teacher-types. Gah, can you imagine having a bunch of cat ladies running the department? Or anal Type-As? It would be a nightmare!
One such lady I work with is totally the crazy eccentric English teacher; however, she has taken it a step further. She has taken on the persona of a stuffed monkey puppet that she carries around and takes video of and posts it on YouTube.
He's actually really kind of cute, and has a really sweet British accent. He's passed out Halloween candy (he was a shark), met Neil Gaiman, started Internet Fun Days, and this summer he's going on a cross-country road trip to see all of his facebook fans.
But here's the catch. This crazy teacher likes to talk to me because we have a few things in common. I always bring up how cute the puppet is, and frankly, it's awkward to talk to her about the monkey. Because, really, she's a 30 something woman with a monkey puppet that she films and posts on the internet. I never know what pronoun to use when talking to her about her friend -- do I refer to the monkey, or do I refer to her, who is ultimately the character and voice of the puppet. Do I pretend that I don't know it's really her?
It kind of reminds me of when my friend S worked as a Disney character the summer after our senior year of high school. She was doing a private breakfast at one of the Disney hotels and was dressing in a near-by conference room. She had her particular character's costume laid out on the floor, getting ready to step into it. Some unsuspecting person accidentally opened the door and she dove to cover the costume, out of respect for the character. So, do I do the same with the monkey?
If only Jim Hensen were still around -- then I could ask him. He'd probably know.
[And please, don't tell me which type of English Teacher I am -- don't even think about which English Teacher I am. It will be far too depressing for the both of us.]
1 comment:
I haven't even shadowed you yet but I already know which type I'd be. I am ashamed.
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