March 2025 SOLC–Day 18
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Spirit Week used to be less frequent and I liked it more. Somehow it’s become a regular feature in our school calendar and like Ebeneezer, I sometimes want to say “Bah Humbug!” The kids, of course, love it and these days, it’s actually the Middle School Student Council who comes up with each plan.
Monday was easy as it was Green Day in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Today, Tuesday was Dress up like a Teacher Day.
On Monday afternoon, R. was eyeing me oddly as we headed out to wait for the buses.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I’m going to be you tomorrow,” she announced.
“You are?” I asked.
“Yup,” she said, “I’m gonna straighten my hair and wear glasses. Oh, and I’m going to keep these dangly earrings in.”
“Well, I do love dangly earrings,” I replied, touching my finger to the ones I’d worn that day.
“Or maybe I’ll wear hoops instead.”
“You know,” I said, “I don’t think I ever wear hoops. I might not even own a pair. The ones you have in now are pretty fun and dangly though.”
“Yup,” she continued, ignoring my contribution, “I’ll probably wear hoops.”
We continued our walk down the hallway.
“Oh, and Mrs. Hogan?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you wear bras?”
(That sound you just heard was the echo of my jaw hitting the ground…from yesterday.)
“What?!” I asked, then continued, “R., that is not an appropriate question to ask someone.”
She giggled.
Another student piped up, “You know that inappropriate word that R. just used?”
I hastened to clarify, “It’s not an inappropriate word, it’s just not an appropriate question.”
“Well,” she said, blithely continuing, “I just call them spaghetti straps.”
Thankfully, by this time we’d reached the doors and I shooed both of them out toward the buses, my head still spinning.
Today R skipped into class. Her hair was straightened. She was wearing big hoops (no big surprise!) and she had on a pair of lens-less glasses. She wore leggings and a turtleneck, which, let me assure you, is not my look.
“I’m a mini you!” she announced.
“Wow! You sure are,” I responded.
Let me note for the record that I did not ask if she was wearing a bra!
Nix the comfort zone 
I enjoyed reading this slice. The questions they ask! I think it’s funny that she chose to dress like you, but not at all like you… Thank you for sharing.
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You can’t make this stuff up! What a question 😅😅😩😩
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Hilarious! Out of the mouths of babes. I have a student with autism that needs to be taught what questions are inappropriate. They are often embarrassing to me and to her classmates.
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This is hilarious!!!
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fantastic! you can’t make this stuff up!! these laughs are our bonuses!!
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Well, my jaw fell with a gulp sound and my husband asked what’s wrong? LOL What a fun story you will remember for quite some time. 🙂
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You have such a talent for writing a slice with perfect student dialogue! And who really wants a dress like a teacher spirit day? I’d hate see how my students might come dressed as if they were dressing like me!
Kim
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Love your stories from the classroom. I’d have you as a guest speaker for my Exploring Teaching class, which I last taught in 2011 at UNE. I sent this on to Hannah and teacher friends. That seven year old has spunk!
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What a funny slice!! Love that she wanted to dress up as you! Lol to the bra question.
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[…] about my student, R, who dressed like me on Dress like a Teacher Day. You can click to read that post, or here’s the summary: She was planning how to look like me and after talking about hair, […]
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