Seeing a teacher out of school is like seeing a fish out of water. There is nothing more alarming or humiliating than seeing a teacher outside of the classroom. Students never knew teachers were real people, who drive a car, go to stores, and eat like students. They don’t just talk in a classroom all day, give out homework, and grade tests.
Whether you’re out to dinner with your family or going shopping for new undergarments, seeing a teacher outside of school is never in the equation. However, some students look forward to their uncomfortable encounters.
For example, students like Henri Rizack ’14.
“I’d love to see a teacher anywhere, I love the awkward experience, that’s what I live for,” said Rizack.
Although Rizack would love to encounter an “awkward experience,” many others would be speechless.
Not only would some students be shocked and not know how to act for themselves, but nonetheless they have to worry about how their parents can embarrass them in front of a teacher.
“My dad would go and talk to them and try to make conversation…and I’d just stand there and maybe say hi,” said Tessa Mall ’15.
A student may think seeing a teacher anywhere is bad, but Grace Bergonzi ’12 has determined where she thinks is the absolute worst spot.
“CVS. It’s terrible. It’s a maze and you just can’t get out,” said Bergonzi.
Bergonzi, along with most students would never expect to see a teacher in CVS.
“I saw Ms. Addicks in CVS, it was weird, I acted like it never happened,” said Haley Garrison ‘13.
Garrison did not want to say hello because she was sure Ms. Addicks did not know her, and if she had subtly smiled, the situation would have just become even more awkward.
Even if the student does not say hi, one cannot always be sure that the teacher will try to avoid you as well. Heather Morely is that teacher: the one who will embarrass you not only when they see you, but also the next day.
“Especially if they’re really awkward the day before then I have to say something to them in school. Then they have to go tell their friends and it just gets more embarrassing,” said Morely.
With a similar attitude to Ms. Morely, social studies teacher Jonathan Shepro sees students quite often outside of school and does not mind it at all. However, he thinks one of the worst places to see a student may be different according to many students’ perspectives.
“I don’t want to see a student at my hair dressers because I don’t have any hair and that would be just embarrassing,” said Shepro. “I would love to see students cutting my grass, because I need the help.”
