SCENE 1, EXTERIOR. MORNING, 5th GRADE DOOR. MONDAY. The teacher has returned from his trip to New York, and it is his first day back to school. Earlier he’d put a poll on the class website asking the kids if they survived the days he wasn’t there. He noticed that though it started off with every vote saying that they never wanted him to leave again, several other students seemed to have wanted him to stay gone. As the teacher moves outside to pick up the class, he sees his students already lined up and ready to in for the day. As the kids see the teacher by the door, they get excited.
[One boy, Josh, pushes to the front of the group—obviously he cannot wait to share the trove of information that he is privy to].
JOSH: Mr. Z…that poll you had online before? Everyone was marking down that they missed you because we all wanted you to come back…everybody but Joey.
[Several members of the class give nods of agreement and utter statements like, ‘Yeah, it was at 100% until Joey messed with it’ along with other similar declarations].
TEACHER: Really?
JOSH: Yeah, he told us that every time he went somewhere and saw a computer that hadn’t voted yet, he picked something different than 'we never wanted you to leave us again.’
TEACHER: Guys, it’s okay...I’m just glad to be back and it’s no big deal. Now, let’s head in and start the day, okay?
[The kids murmur their agreement as they file past the teacher. The teacher notices that Joey is lagging behind the rest of the class. When everyone else has gone in, the boy stops and looks up].
JOEY: I want you to know that I really did pick those other things, Mr. Z.
TEACHER: Really?
JOEY: Yeah. [Pause] See, when I saw how everybody was picking that they never wanted you to leave us again, I didn’t want you to get all full of yourself thinking you’re too awesome. [Pause] Because then maybe you’d leave us, so I had to click on other things so you wouldn’t.
TEACHER: Ah, so you were just helping to keep me humble?
[The boy nods and grins at the teacher].
JOEY: Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered, Mr. Z.
[The teacher gives the boy a hug].
TEACHER: Thanks, Joey…that means a lot to me.
JOEY: But just so you know, you really are that awesome, but don’t let it go to your head, okay?
Fade to black.
14 comments:
It this a true story?
That boy has a future in politics.
Yeah, don't let it go to your head ;o)
Yeah, don't let it go to your head ;o)
Dude, he's got your number for sure! :-)
Mind - Yes, it is...
http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/p/joey-faqs.html
Mindee - Yeah, he probably does.
Bonnie - I won't. It's funny thought because when I first saw the poll take a nosedive I was wondering what students didn't particularly want me around...he wasn't the kid I thought it would have been which was a surprise.
K - One of the other teachers made a comment to me about him saying that she couldn't handle having him in her class...that he would drive her crazy. You can probably understand what she was talking about but this kid can make ma laugh on a daily basis. I wouldn't trade him...
I agree, the class would never be the same!. :-)
It's important to have someone watching your back in the humility department. Oh yeah, one more thing, CRAP! I didn't get in on the Christmas Card picture! I need to spend more time on the computer!
Love this. I would have got the other votes without the humble motive. lol. Way to be AWESOME my friend. Way to be awesome.
This is a Joey to top all Joey's. What are you gonna do at the end of the school year? Glad to know he's got your back and all.
ahhh... Joey.... What a kid! (And what a teacher...) :-)
I agree with Joey.
Everytime I read a Joey story it makes me happy to know that there is another child out there just like my daughter. Joey's mom and I are kindred spirits...
Glad Joey is keeping you in check. Someone has to. ;•)
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