I will never forget the first time I met Blanca. I was just starting my first Grade 8 Core class in September. It was a fairly small class (most Core classes are) and the students seemed a little nervous and very quiet (first day of high school. Who wouldn't be intimidated?). Suddenly - part way through my "Welcome to High School" talk - this tall, poised, confident, striking, blonde girl walks into my class...
My first thought: "Oh no. This kid is going to be so embarrassed when she realizes that she is in the wrong class".
I tried to make it easier for her by approaching her and asking quietly: "what class are you looking for?". She replied "Math 8".
My next thought was: "why would this girl PRETEND to be in a grade 8 Math class? Is this her idea of a joke?".
Finally, she told me her name was Blanca and I realized that WOW, she really IS in this class. Talk about a mature grade 8 student!!!
That was an interesting year, teaching Blanca. She had a few quirks that made things... uh... challenging at times. One of her favourite "moves" - when I handed out an assignment - was to do the 2 hardest questions and then refuse to do anything else. When I'd challenge her on this ("GET WORKING!") she'd reply: "I've shown you I can do the hardest ones correctly. Why bother doing the easy ones?". I gotta admit: she makes a pretty good point. But still... frustrating!
Another strategy: answering EVERY question during the day's lesson, then - when homework is assigned - claiming "I don't really understand so I can't do it". YOU DO SO UNDERSTAND!! YOU EXPLAINED IT TO EVERYONE DURING THE LESSON!!
All this to say that I have always known that Blanca is a very intelligent person. She sometimes shys away from hard work (but not ALWAYS! Other days she'd be the hardest worker in class. So unpredictable!) but her being in the Core class always struck me as completely unnecessary.
I have been teaching for over twenty years now and I consider Blanca one of the funniest students I have ever taught. Considering how much I love to laugh (basically my favourite thing in LIFE) it is no wonder, then, how fond I am of her. There's not really any specific moments that stick out as being MOST funny or memorable, but even the THOUGHT of Blanca brings a smile to my face when I reflect upon how much time I have spent laughing around her.
I hope this will not embarrass Blanca but I must say that I had one of my best parent interviews EVER with her mom. You know how sometimes you are talking with someone and you are totally "on the same page"? How you agree with everything they say? How it is apparent they are actually LISTENING to what you are saying? How you leave the conversation feeling good about yourself and what has been said? Well that's what happened with Blanca's mom! Such a lovely woman!
As are you, Blanca! You've obviously followed your mom's good example because you too are charismatic and thoughtful and a great conversationalist. I will remember you always as a principled, powerful, kind, hilarious person. Thanks for all the chats and all the laughs. I KNOW that you will be successful in whatever it is you put your mind to. Never lose your wonderful, slightly-twisted outlook on life (it's what makes you YOU!). I love you lots and lots and I will MISS you, Blanca B!!