Eat My Dust

The track meet occurred last Thursday and like any event at a school, it was full of hot messes and awkwardness. In a previous post, I mentioned that the track groups couldn't be more different. One was fast and loud, the other was slow and peppy. Both were kind of annoying, so at least there was some unity in the matter.

The groups came together right before the track meet and the world might as well have exploded. Oil and vinegar. Democrats and Republicans. Mr. Vest and spiders. A room of 20 opinionated children is one thing....but 50? Oy.

And having an event that involves their PARENTS?

Xanax.

Situations such as these can be stressful. Basically, teaching would be a hell of a lot easier if parents didn't become involved. Events where parents are present can put you on your toes because you are watched like a hawk. Now, this isn't all parents...but some of them are out of their damn minds.

One kid was given a ample opportunities to not act like a jerk. But, punching and spitting and whining were just too tempting for him and thus, his second race was taken away from him. Needless to say, Momma was not happy and made it known to me. Repeatedly.

Momma: "You need to let him run his second race because he's been training all summer for this."
Mr. Vest: (to myself) "All summer? It's been two-and-a-half weeks."
Momma: "So yeah. Put him in the second race."
Mr. Vest: "Well, he broke the rules and knew the consequences."
Momma: "No. He's going to race it."
Mr. Vest: "Actually, no."
Momma: "Nope. He's running it. It means a lot to him."
Mr. Vest: "If that were true, he would have taken my five warnings and not slap a kid with a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book."
Momma: (crickets)

Beyond this hiccup, the track meet went smoothly. Mainly due to the fact that no one ran in the opposite direction.

It was an entertaining event, complete with overexcited children, 1st to 3rd place ribbons, and a teacher race that ended awkwardly when one of the teachers took his shirt off.

All in all, a fitting event during the final week. The smiles coming from some of these track stars faces solidified to me how fun it can be to be a teacher. To be reminded of that at the end of the game brings some great closure to it all.