My friend Rebecca Ross, a middle-school science teacher in New York City, where there are currently seven school days left in the year, writes:
While standing in the office sorting papers this afternoon, one of my boys—I'll call him Tyrone—came wandering in. We were chatting quietly while I counted papers. I suddenly felt that "I just need to be and hang with a big person for a while" vibe from him.
Out of nowhere he says, "You're tough for a teacher, Ms. Ross."
I smiled to myself, 'Is that a good thing or a bad thing, Tyrone?"
"A good thing. Well, it can be both depending on how you use it. But you don't hit kids. So, for you, it's a good thing."
Yes, I suppose it is ...
... and hey, he realized that something can be good or bad depending on its use. Critical thinking, yeah!
