Career Life
We’ve all been there. A little kid reaches into her pocket and hands you some lint-covered M&Ms. “Teacher, I have a present for you.” Or the high school student you just saw licking his fingers clean fishes a handful of Takis out of the bag, “Here Miss, want some?” What is a poor, mildly germophobic teacher to do? For me, the answer is always to accept any food my students offer to share with me.
Unfortunately, my commitment to accepting food from my students is at odds with my desire not to eat gross things, so sometimes I must be a tad misleading in my response. I say things like “Wow! What a treat!… This will be great [in the trashcan] when I have a cup of coffee during my break.” Or “Wow! What a treat!… I’m just going to save it for later [until I can toss it out discretely.]” Why don’t I just politely decline my students’ disgusting little gestures of kindness?
I can give you five reasons why I always accept food from students, and you should too.
1. No doesn’t always just mean no.
Some grownups might have forgotten what a big deal it is to have candy or a bag of chips. Not only are these things a treat for a lot of kids, but in some cases, they are a status symbol or social currency. Whatever the reason, all kids love food–especially junk food. So when students offer to share their candy or snacks and their teacher declines, it might feel like she isn’t just saying no to their food, she is saying no to their generosity.
2. That homemade muffin represents home.
Maybe even more difficult than accepting a sweaty fistful of Skittles is accepting a homemade baked good. After all, you don’t know what’s in it or under what conditions it was prepared. But whether it was baked by a Martha Stewart Mom or a Walter White Dad, whether it was undercooked or burned to a crisp, your student is offering you something made with love–you just might not want to know what else it was made with.
3. It’s polite.
My mother taught me that unless there is a very good reason, it’s impolite to refuse a gesture of friendship, celebration, or hospitality. So for the sake of manners, I always say yes to a glass of sweet tea, a slice of birthday cake, or jelly beans from the bottom of someone’s backpack.
4. It sets a good example.
Almost every kid at my school brings cupcakes or donuts on their birthday, and it’s not uncommon for students to kindly bring extras to pass out to the teachers next door or specials teachers. That can add up to a lot of cupcakes. Now, I’m no health nut, but I can only tolerate so much powdered sugar and Crisco. I’ll admit that in the past, I’ve been guilty of saying things like, “No thank you, I’m trying to cut back.” Or “I’ve already had too much sugar today, but thanks.”
But now I realize this could send the wrong message to kids about moderation or body image. For the sensitive middle schooler or body-conscious high school student, that kind of response could be perceived as a condemnation or criticism. It’s okay for teachers to model healthy eating. But someone’s birthday is not the time.
5. It strengthens your immune system?
With every other reason for accepting food from a student, the “I’ll just save this for later” tactic can be employed. However, according to my first-grade teacher, actually eating everything her students ever offered her is the reason for her strong constitution. Of course, I didn’t know this back then, but I am lucky enough to still be acquainted with her 40+ years after being in her class. And while I don’t know if science supports her theory, I can say that after 30+ years in the classroom, my first-grade teacher is healthy and active, so I guess all that pocket lint and secondhand Cheeto dust didn’t hurt her.
Being a teacher is gross–for lots of reasons. But it’s also fun and sweet and occasionally (when we are feeling brave) quite a treat. So what about you? What are some weird, awkward, or unappetizing things you’ve done for the sake of your kids?
