That's CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow.

Today was "Talk Like a Pirate" day at school.  Our school does it as a dress up day, so quite a few students and most teachers dressed up.  Now, I have a pirate history, having played Captain Jack Sparrow at youth camps a couple years in a row about 6 years ago.  The kids then loved it, as it was in the height of the movie popularity.  So, I figured I'd give it a go.  But, I was nervous.  You know that fear you had as a kid that if you dressed up for Halloween and no one else did?  Well, last year we did dress up at church and I was the only one in costume- so I was gun-shy, despite the assurances of fellow teachers.

I still suspect that there may be some hazing coming to the only new man on faculty- but that's just my paranoia.  Or is it?

Anyway, I did dress up after all:

Now, the funny thing was that I was called "Captain Hook" and "Blackbeard" just as much as Captain Jack despite my lack of hook or long, curly beard.  Sadly, it seems a new generation will not know the greatness of Captain Jack Sparrow...unless it becomes my mission to educate them.

And for every mis-identification that made me shake my head at the lack of culture in these kids- there was a  few faces here and there of sheer star-struck "THAT IS SO COOL!"  And some of them were even the kids.

If I have not made it clear yet, I love this new job.  I love that dressing up as a pirate is acceptable and encouraged.  I love that I can teach a kid math while batting beaded dreadlocks out of my face.  I love that I have to remind myself it is not appropriate to sword fight a kid- even if he did challenge me first.  I love that being goofy like today can be the key to getting into a kid's world that needs help and hope.

I am also glad that today is over- synthetic hair is so stinking hot.

Today, Chuck Norris Laughed at Me

Today was a harried day- school, followed by a quick trip to the doctor for Kenna (nothing major, no worries) followed by gymnastics.  Leslie started at 4:30, so there was some kid juggling to get her there on time.  When I got there with Kenna, Leslie had started and then there was much back and forth to car to get things we forgot to get in the first place.  Focus is not our strong suit.

On one return trip, I glanced over Kristin's shoulder and saw a red haired gentleman watching the practice- and instantly knew it was Walker, Texas Ranger.  THE Chuck Norris.  

We had heard his kids went to our gym and others had seen him, but there he was.  I played it cool and didn't tell Kristin until he left.  Couldn't have my wife embarrass me and Chuck Norris by quickly staring at him, now could I?

A little later, he returned and stood right near us in earshot.  Since Kristin and I had not seen each other much that day and we are at practice for 3 hours, we were chatting about the day.  In the conversation, we were talking about the response Kristin got about the lamps I made, seen here:

One of Kristin's fellow teachers had commented on how "Handy" I was- and Kristin explained how she had laughed about it.  It was at this point that Chuck Norris- the man who doesn't push himself up in a push up so much as he pushes the world down- turns and laughs at me.

Not a passing chuckle.  Not a belly laugh, but an extended full out laugh nonetheless.

It is at this point that I too am laughing- nervously, and the color of the above lampshade.  Kristin and I both manage a "hi" and I try to sheepishly defend my skills and deflect all at the same time.

But who are we kidding, Chuck Norris laughed at me.

A little while later, he was leaving with his kids, he turned and smiled and said, "Have a nice day!"  We returned the salutation and, when he was out of earshot, I thanked Kristin for mocking me in front of Chuck Norris.

On a side note- he seems to be a really cool and nice guy.

The Look of Success

Today was the day I got to be with students for the first time.

Now, I've been doing lunch duty, which is a bit like an obstacle course of kid's jokes and practical jokes and  "tag you're it" kind of games.  This is all well and good, but I don't really get to teach much.  Except to educate one young man on the finer points of getting people to fall for the "Look!  Behind you!"  Seriously, people won't by it if you have an ear-to-ear grin.

Despite my lesser education at lunch duty, I am still getting to teach kids math.  Today was simply assessment stuff.  I'd ask questions and they'd answer.  Simple back and forth.  But I found myself often on the edge of my seat, in anticipation of a right answer.  I'd actually get excited to see if they got it right- I WANTED them to get it right for the simple sight of seeing their joy at getting praise.  And when they got it wrong, I'd still try to encourage them, but I think my disappointment was bigger than theirs.  Because I wanted them to succeed.  After one day, I want more than anything to see these students succeed.

I'm hoping that is the stuff that makes good teachers, this hope and passion to see success in the unsuccessful.  I'm hoping my excitement at a kid counting the right number of dots never fades as long as this is my job.

Last week, I began the process of getting certified to teach.  It most likely will not be in math, but I want to bring the same feeling, the same motivation to whatever I get certified in.  Because for the first time in my life, in a job outside of the ministry, I know what I want out of it.

And it has very little to do with me, and everything to do with the look on the face of a student who got it right.