The drama, the heartache, the victories: America’s Next Top Model has more in common with teaching than one might think. This show is a great summer binge, and there’s a reason the faces on the show might remind you a lot of the expressions you see in class every day. Take a look and see if these seem familiar.
1. When the students return from a holiday break …
They all come marching in your classroom refreshed, and most noticeably reenergized. The buzz about what happened over the break seems nonstop the first couple of days after a holiday.
2. When your students get excited during class and cannot be controlled …
You accidentally say something funny, you announce a field trip, the bell rings on a Friday, or the bell rings for the last time before the summer. There are just certain times where no matter what, the class will go crazy, and it is reminiscent of a mosh pit. You just have to stand there and wait.
3. When students in your class are learning to mind their own business …
Because Jane’s recent ex-friendship with Suzie is still a sore subject in your room.
4. When your students have a better wardrobe than you do …
On a teacher’s budget, there is only so much you can do. At one point or another, there will be students who have a better wardrobe than you do. You may resent them for a while, but you have to admit you like those new shoes.
5. Right before break when students have trouble listening …
Yes, I am just standing up here for myself. Please do not listen to any words I say as they are only important to, you know, YOUR FUTURE! It can feel like talking to a brick wall but they will listen again eventually.
6. When it’s observation day and a student forgets the answer …
No matter what you tell students or teach them the days leading up to an observation, the student you call on will NOT be able to remind the class of what you talked about yesterday.
7. When a struggling student finally gets it …
The most positive moments as a teacher are when a student who never thought they could, discovers that they can. Of course, even though you thought you were bad at reading you were able to ace that test, you get to tell them.
8. When students make it to the end of the year and pass …
The end of the year is a celebration for everyone. Even if you thought this was your “last year teaching”, seeing students celebrate their victories of the past school year reminds you that it was all worth it.
All of our students are top models in our book. And I think their fierce teachers definitely have something to do with it.