Elementary Education

Many of you know that my little brother Clay is working for Teach for America. We were both home this past weekend for Easter and he told us a hilarious story about a kid in one of his friend's 2nd grade classes. I cannot remember the exact names of the people involved, but we'll call the teacher Mr. Smith and the student Jamal. This teacher is married with a wife and a cat, which he apparently speaks more about in his class than he realizes. That will make more sense as you continue reading. Reading the conversation that took place below cannot really do this story justice. Clay added the hilarious, yet true, accent to the kids voice that does not translate well in the written form. I will do my best to repeat. I trust that those reading this blog can use their own accent.

Jamal: Hey Mr. Smith, I got a picture to show you.

Mr. Smith: Sure, let me see it.

Jamal: (describing the picture) That's me in my Escalade. You lying in the ditch with X's on your eyes cause I kilt you. Then I stole yo wife and yo cat.

Mr. Smith: (thinking this picture is hilarious) Jamal, can I keep this picture?

Jamal: Why, you gonna turn me in?

Mr. Smith: No, I'm going to hang it on my fridge.

Jamal: Yeah, it's good, ain't it.

The whole family laughed for several minutes when Clay told this story. It really is pretty priceless. I'm not sure which I think is funnier, the part about the wife and the cat, or the part about Jamal knowing the picture is "good." After years of hearing stories from my mother about elementary school students, I have decided that elementary education is where all the funny stories are! We have told Mom for years that she should be writing these stories down and someday write a book. Between Mom and Clay, both could probably write several volumes!