Repost: Teaching & the BSQ

Teaching and the BSQ

July 27, 2006 @ 11:16 pm

If you ever consider working in the field of education, it is important to think about your BSQ before you pick what level you want to teach.

The three main levels are elementary, middle and high school. But there’s also pre-school, adult ed, college, ESL, etc. In regards to the 3 levels most thought of— elem., middle and high school— you should determine your BSQ early-on, then set out on the correct education path.

What’s the BSQ? The BSQ is a term I made up. It is short for the “bull shit quotient.” That is, what type of bull shit can you tolerate on a daily basis?

Can you tolerate unprovoked attitude or relentless apathy? Then teach high school.

Can you tolerate baby talk, tattle-tailing and whining? Elementary school is your game.

An insane combination of both? You’re one of the chosen ones: a middle school teacher.

Honestly, I’d rather vomit everyday than listen to little kids piss and moan about teasing and name-calling. “Timmy said I was stupid.” “Jeanie pulled Johnny’s hooded sweatshirt.” Ugh. Seriously, shut the eff up and deal with it.

Now, constant shrugs and replies of “nothun’” to any given question. Pshaw, that’s easy. Mostly what I did was ignore such apathy and keep chipping away at the wall until it came tumbling down. Don’t ask me why I cared; I just did.

Same with the unprovoked attitude. I just addresed it, instead of ignoring it or giving attitude back. I did— and still do— simply call the little PITAs on their BS shoulder-chips. I stress politeness and respect. I explain I will always give it, so I always expect it. I hold myself to it and also offer much praise when the little rays of sunshine shoot from behind the attitudinal walls.

And the next thing you know, half your friends on myspace are former students of yours! Magic.

But give me a kid slipping extra ”sshhh,” “sss” and “thhsss” in his words, like a baby, and I’ll show you a woman libel to smack ‘em around. Well, not quite that harsh, but that’s what I’d like to do.