More Adventures in the Classroom

I knew I was walking into a dangerous situation-a Grade6/7 classroom. A substitute teacher's nightmare was about to begin. I asked for the class' attention. No response as they continue to chat, chat, chat. I asked for candy to go away(these kids were hyper). I asked for IPods to go away. No response. They did not care about a single thing I said. I asked them to go around and say their name as well as a hobby, which seemed to take an hour because they were constantly interrupting each other with rude comments. What to do? What to do? After that I asked if they had any questions for me. Of course they asked me my first name, my age, and then a question I was not, not, not prepared for. This seemingly sweet, little 11 year old girl with pigtails asked me with a smirk on her face the question: "Are you a virgin?" Whaaaaattttt?!?!?! How do I respond? As a teacher, as a human?? I didn't answer. I finally called the principal in as I recognized nothing I was attempting was bringing them into control. It was amazing how they calmed down with her there.

I knew I had another day, and as I thought about that girl's question, I knew I had to respond. This was an opportunity. So I bundled my courage together, faced the class a second time now with a strategy in place with the principal, I descended upon the class. Right before the math class began, I switched off the overhead, knowing this was the moment- now or never. "Well, boys and girls," I began, "yesterday one of you asked me a question I wasn't prepared for, but today I'm ready." I told them to talk to their parents about sex and then told them why I am a virgin. I couldn't believe how quiet they all were. I had their attention. The only question they had for me was whether I was going to be the 40 year-old virgin. I hope I answered appropriately, "Hopefully not cos when I get married I'm gonna have great sex!"

What started as a really scary situation, turned into actually a lot of fun and a new opportunity to speak about an issue I am very passionate about.