One afternoon, early in my teaching career, a colleague/friend and I got manicures together after school. The next day, in the middle of science class, a 7th grader raised his hand and said, “Did you and Amanda get your nails done together?” She was surprised that this young person – who could not reliably remember to bring his backpack from my French classroom to her science room next door – had noticed something so small. She was also surprised that he chose the middle of class to comment on his observation.
Over the years, I’ve gotten much more used to the idea that the students are always watching, but it can still catch me by surprise. Like yesterday when we came back to school after a week of March Break. I had gotten my hair cut (bangs!) the first Saturday of March Break, so I was used to it, but obviously no one else was. I was quickly reminded that my “look” had changed because students started to comment – in the hallway, in the lobby, in the classroom. Students who have never even had me as a teacher said, “nice haircut, Miss.” The kids I’ve actually taught were even more forward, one yelling, “you look good, Miss!” as I passed by.
I said “thank you” all morning long. The unexpected compliments put me in a good mood and I was sailing through the day. Then, during Grade 9 English, in the middle of a discussion about whether oral histories from “regular” people are important, a sometimes-reticent young man raised his hand. And despite my years of teaching, despite having been noticed in the hallway, despite everything, I still wasn’t ready when he said, “Um, did you get a haircut, Miss?”
“Yes,” I said, because what else was there to say?
“Cool,” he nodded, “It looks good.” And he went right back to doodling in his notebook.
I paused long enough to say to the class, “Well, that’s how you do it. If you’re going to ask someone if they got a haircut, you should definitely follow up with…” I paused for dramatic effect. The same young man looked up and said, “It looks good.”
Then we all went back to discussing oral histories as if nothing unusual had happened. And maybe it hadn’t.
Persistence and Pedagogy 
Sometimes they notice things, and sometimes I wonder if I showed up with my shirt on backwards if any of them would notice at all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right? And wouldn’t it be nice if they noticed, say, the assignment on the board?
LikeLiked by 1 person
High school is such a different world from elementary and yet there are similarities! I remember one time a first grader was so engaged in my lesson. He was staring intently at me, and I was thinking I’d really nailed it. Then he raised his hand to ask, “Did you put something on your eyes?” (It was a rare make-up day for me. lol) I’m glad to hear the new hair cut was a hit. I was wondering how your students would respond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this idea of you are observing the students observing you. It’s funny how you are not used to random questions in the middle of class, but literally this is my daily life in my class. I love how you bring us through your day, and the emotions as you go through each emotion. Fun slice!
LikeLike
They really are so observant with those things like how we dress and what we look like! I’m so glad to hear your students loved your new ‘do! That’s how you know it actually looks good, because students don’t lie!
LikeLike
They most certainly do not lie – and I’ve been scolded before for cutting my hair “too short” – so this cut must be pretty good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda,
I saw the pic of your new hairstyle! It looks good! Glad the kids approve because those times they don’t approve—-and they do let you know—are brutal. My canned response to the “I liked it better the old way” is “good thing I’m not competing in a beauty contest today.”
LikeLike
The younger they are the more they notice and the more abrupt their response. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes–they notice! I will never forget the child who asked me if I was wearing my nightgown. Needless to say, I never wore that dress again! Love your post.
LikeLike
I think I realized that I was old, and maybe it was time to think about retiring, when my students stopped noticing. I remember getting new glasses that I was utterly excited about. Not a peep from my students. Haircut? Maybe from the ones who were REALLY paying attention – and usually a discussion on whether the bangs were a good idea or not….
LikeLike