My Secrets

I recently watched a Youtube video where someone stops random strangers on the street and asks them what their secret is. They usually respond by saying something like, "What? Why would I tell you my secret?" after which they reveal their secret. The secrets often revealed an insecurity, something embarrassing, or were funny. I was trying to plan a lesson just now, but I got distracted and made a list of my own secrets instead. I tried to follow the theme of insecurity, embarrassing, and funny. Here they are in no particular order.

I’ve never driven 100 MPH because I don’t like breaking rules.

The worst part of my day is planning lessons because I feel like many of my students won't care (much like a flight attendant giving safety instructions).

I dance in my kitchen – a lot (mostly while putting away dishes).

I think The Golden Girls is hilarious.

I hate when my students lie to me. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world.

I once saw someone I knew at the airport unexpectedly, but I hid behind a pillar because I didn’t want to talk to him.

I never, ever, ever want to live alone again.

I don't use dryer sheets.

Teaching middle school has made me afraid to have kids.

I eat way too much junk food.

I don’t care for the game Apples to Apples.

I’ve eaten cow udder twice and liked it both times.

One of my favorite parts of the day is reading my scriptures, but I still procrastinate doing it every day because I forget how much I love it.

I feel smarter than people who drink energy drinks.

And now two quick teaching stories:
I have a student who is really quite funny (although I'd never want him to know that I think that). He often tries to get my attention by gently tugging on my shirt. Yesterday, however, instead of tugging on my shirt or raising his hand like a normal student would do, he reached over and squeezed my bicep. It was surprising and slightly odd, but it got my attention.

I've struggled all year with getting my classes to quiet down. Yesterday every single student in one of my classes was actively working on an assignment and no one was talking. It was so peaceful. I broke the silence by saying, "Do you hear that, class? That's the sound of learning." A kid then blurted out, "But it's silent!" and I said, "Exactly."