While teaching my eighth graders last night, I overheard a side conversation amongst the students. They were jokingly discussing how the chess team at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has been undefeated for fifteen years. Being that I am a Jefferson graduate, I felt the need to step in and defend my school from this merciless teasing. Most of the students were relatively impressed that I had graduated from a “smart person” school, as I apparently appear to be an idiot, but one girl had a different opinion.
“My father said that I couldn’t go to Jefferson because it would totally ruin my social life,” she stated smugly. “He said it would be social suicide.”
Uncertain as to how to respond, I smiled wanly, commended her father for his excellent priorities, and resumed teaching.