September 14, 2025
More about the learning process, this time with teens.
When I taught high school, a young girl came to me saying that she would not be in my class the next day for a test we were having. She wanted to be responsible and let me know ahead of time. So far, so good.
“Why not?” I asked. “Well,” she explained, “I have an appointment to get my tattoo freshened.” (I suppressed a laugh.)
“Why not some other day or time?”
“Well, you see, if I get it freshened before the one year anniversary of getting it, which is the day after tomorrow, then the freshening is free. The only appointment they have left is tomorrow during my class time with you!” She smiled, happy with this explanation.
I stood there, stunned, marveling at her logic, her poor planning, and her questionable priorities. But sincerity she had in abundance.
Another girl came to me at the beginning of class one day, and said: “I cannot do my presentation today because I had my tongue pierced yesterday.” Her words came out rather painfully muffled.
“But you knew about your presentation today. Why did you have this done yesterday?”
She smiled, like a chastened puppy, her eyes searching mine for sympathy. Her words came out garbled.
“Because I did not think my tongue would swell and hurt so much!”
Learning can be painful!
