Lead

I'll admit, November was a terrible month for blogging. Whoops. I can't promise things will get too much better in these next few weeks as I am finishing up the semester at U of M and at the middle and high schools.

There is certainly much to tell so I'll try and extend it over a few posts so I don't look like a complete slacker. Look for posts about "Midnight Madness," my delayed teacher wardrobe post, and my super delayed science majors in college post. There is also some exciting news about the periodic table, so look for that as well!

In the mean time, warm and fuzzy news from the school front. Because my middle school mentor teacher is on medical leave, I get the chance to go back to the high school next week and rock some teaching. I made a surprise visit yesterday and I am pretty sure I am still on Cloud 9 from getting to see my kids again.

When I first walked in, I tried to be unassuming, as to cause the least amount of distraction but of course I got stopped at the metal detector where the security guards asked me all about being at the middle school. I got laughed at for trying to get a visitor's pass as the secretary looked at me and goes, "We've missed you." Word of the wise - make friends with these people because they will tell you ALL about what goes on and will always help you out :)

On walking in to the 9th grade wing, my heart started to pump and my fingers were quaking - it was so weird, but I think I was just so excited to see some of my kids. I walked past the English class where I got a little wave, a bigger wave, and then a giant wave from one of my students. I chuckled when kids were asking what this student was doing and he said "I saw Ms. Labbate!" The best part was one of the kids saying back to him "You couldn't have - she's not here anymore." Yup, that's me, a mirage. Two more classrooms and smaller waves and twinkling eyes from kids not paying attention.

When I hit the science door I stayed outside because there were 15 minutes left of class and I didn't want to interrupt my mentor teacher if she was in the middle of a lesson. Have it my luck that no less than 2 minutes standing outside the door, but one of the students pops out and squeals in delight. She tries to drag me into the classroom, but I explain that I'm not going to go in as Ms. Stine-King was teaching. Her reply? "It's not that important, pleaaaaaaaaaaase come in." She eventually goes back in and Ms. Stine-King walks out 2 seconds later, smiles, and says "Let's see what happens when you come in."

CHAOS. Studious faces to looks like Christmas came 23 days early. Screams of delight. "Ms. Labbate's BACK!!" Hugs. "Ms. Labbate, now that you're here, come help me." (still in my coat and carrying my backpack at that point...never really got to put my stuff down) "Ms. Labbate, I failed my quiz because you left." (yeah...okay)

After the class ended, the "Ms. Labbate's back!" rumor mill was flying down the hall and kids were traveling by the science room to see if it was true. More hugs. More smiles. More love. Man it feels good to be back at the high school.


Fun Fact: Lead's symbol on the periodic table is Pb, which comes from its Latin name plum bum. Because lead was originally used for water pipes, the name plumber is also derived from plum bum.