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 continued to chat, chat, chat. I asked for the candy to go away (these kids were hyper). I asked for the 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 and giggling. 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 (I go by Miss Schmidt), my age and then a question came that I was not, not not prepared for. This seemingly sweet 11 year old girl with pigtails, but a wide smirk on her face, asked me the question: "Are you a virgin?" Whaaaaattt? How do I respond? As a teacher? in the a public school? As a Christian? As a human being? 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 to face the class again with a strategy in place with the principal. Right before the math lesson began, I switched off the overhead, knowing this was the moment of no return. It was now or never. "Well, boys and girls," I began, "yesterday one of you asked question I wasn't prepared for, but today I'm ready." I told them to talk to their parents or other adults they trust, told them I couldn't make the choice for them, but these are the reasons I'm a virgin. I couldn't believe how quiet they were. I had their attention. The only question they asked me was whether I was going to be the40-year old virgin. I hope I answered appropriately, "No, cos when I get married, I'm gonna have great sex!"

What started as my most horrible teaching experience turned into a radical opportunity to speak about something I am passionate about and an issue which students desperately need to hear the other side of.