There is always that teacher in the hallway that insists on rules and protocol. No matter how fun that person is, the only thing a kid sees is that teacher’s insistence on the rules. That old hag in the hallway was I!
Yep! Belts needed to be above the butt cheeks. The hoochie mama outfit needed to be, pulled up, pulled down, and buttoned up. AND – PDA nearly made me barf. So at one point, when my words fell on 9th grade deaf ears, I made it visual for those whose hormones blocked out my voice. On construction paper, I drew red lips in a red circle with a big red line thru them and posted them in the hallway. With the 14 year olds wrapped in each others’ arms, giving their send off kisses, I’d also tell them, “You’re not going off to war, just a 40 min. class.” Frankly, I was dumfounded with the few kids who did not understand the concept of appropriate behavior. The reaction of my own students was funny. They just smiled, shook their heads and took their seats.
Obviously, my age and attitude was setting myself apart from my colleagues. So, I named myself T-Rex. I was the resident T-Rex because I was the oldest and meanest teacher in the hallway.
The best part of all of this was the reaction of the other students who knew how to be appropriate. They enjoyed the T-Rex. They teased me about the signs, they laughed about my reaction to the “fashion” of a few kids. Don’t get me wrong. I love high fashion. I love to see kids dress in their individual style. To that, I have no reaction. But the T-Rex does not want to see underwear. That’s the point. Underwear is meant to be under.
Now I find out the T-Rex is not the oldest. This morning’s paper shows I had a predecessor. Dang! I’ve been trumped! There has been a dino find in Utah. So, any educator who teaches more than 30 years, 3 months and demands the best of a young person can aptly name herself, siats meekerorum. I will happily bow to that person.
Oh, and that kid making out in the 9th grade? Well, by 12th grade, he or she would laugh about my reaction to the kissing and admit it may not have been the right behavior for the busy hallway.
holymoleyeducation 
If it weren’t for teachers like you, the “T-Rex”, the entire moral fabric of today’s youth would disintegrate. Kids don’t have wholesome, do-good role models today… they have Miley Cyrus. That is why they don’t see the shame in making out in the hallway or wearing shorts that look like underwear. If the “T-Rex” teachers don’t teach them why these things are wrong, who will?
This is hilarious Mrs. P, you’re awesome. I love reading your blog.