Fish Lips

If I could pick my favorite age group/grade to teach, it would definitely be 8th grade. I absolutely love and appreciate their honesty. They don't hold anything back. Anything.
I have a few good quotes from my class Friday. Well, I have lots of good quotes daily being an ESL teacher, but...here were Friday's brutally honest quotes.

In the middle of a lesson at the chalkboard, Karla (13) raises her hand. Of course, I think it is a question about the format of a friendly letter. Instead: "Thank goodness you are wearing your glasses today. No offense Mrs. but you ONLY look good with them on." To which I smile, scold myself for recently spending $100.00 on contact lenses and try to carry on with my lesson.

20 minutes later.... Karla and Brenda (12) while stroking my hair like a monkey grooming session at my desk "We are so sorry you have so much missing [hair]. It is shame that you are bolled. [bald]"
(I think they realize that my wispy thinning fine blond hair is nothing in comparison to their gorgeous long THICK black hair)

2 minutes late in a serious tone, with knitted eyebrows, and a most serious facial expression (in her cute accent)- lovely Karla: "At least you have nice lips, Mrs. They are so cute and small. I like the stuff you put on them [gloss]. They look like tiny baby fish lips."

I feel like I could be teaching about anything and they would still find something to ask me or comment on about my personal life or appearance for the day, which- depending on how many times I hit the snooze button, could be less than par. I am stared at and analyzed like a Barbie Doll all day. They also asked me if they could be the "bride maid in my wedding IF it ever happens, because we think it will never happen." If I don't have thick skin yet, I feel as though I will develop it in about 2.5 weeks. But, as I said before, I really appreciate their honesty, their raw emotions, crazy hormones, and interesting perspective. It is- by far- my favorite grade to teach.