Episode Summary
Since this episode is released on Halloween, I invited two of my coworkers on the show to answer a question I asked my Instagram audience, “What scares a teacher in four words or less?” And my audience delivered. This episode turned out to be so much fun! Listen in to see what scares most teachers!! And have a few laughs along the way!
Hear the phrases that make teachers’ hairs stand on end! Meghan shares her goosebump-inducing “My head is itchy,” Shannon recalls the dread behind “I’ll get the mop,” and Zeba reflects on the mess-inducing “Why is that wet?”
Connect with Zeba:
- Instagram – @kindergartencafe
- Facebook – @kindergartencafe
- Website – www.kindergartencafe.org
- Tik Tok – @kindergartencafe
Read the Transcript
Zeba McGibbon [00:00:00]:
Hey, everyone.
Zeba McGibbon [00:00:00]:
Zeba here from Kindergarten Cafe. And today on the podcast, I’m doing something a little different that I think will just give you some laughs. This comes out on Halloween if you’re listening to it live. And so I just thought it would be fun to get some laughs in on such a spooky day to be a teacher. So let’s just jump right in.
Zeba McGibbon [00:00:19]:
Let’s jump right in. You’re listening to the Kindergarten cafe podcast where kindergarten teachers come to learn classroom tested tips and tricks and teaching ideas they can use in their classroom right away. I’m Zeba, creator and founder of Kindergarten Cafe, and I help kindergarten teachers with everything they need from arrival to dismissal in order to save time, work smarter, not harder, and support students with engaging and purposeful lessons. I’m here to cheer you on through your successes and breakthroughs and offer support and resources so you never have to feel stuck or alone, ready to start saving time and reducing your stress, all while using effective and purposeful lessons that students love. Let’s get started.
Zeba McGibbon [00:01:15]:
Hey, everyone. Welcome to Kindergarten Cafe podcast. And today I have a special treat. Because it’s Halloween, I thought I’d do a little spooky Halloween teacher stories, and I brought on my two teacher besties. They are basically both my next door neighbor, but they’re down a row from each other. And so I brought them on so we can just have some laughs about this. Things that scare us as teachers. And so I’m going to let them introduce themselves.
Shannon [00:01:41]:
I am Shannon. I teach second grade with Zeeb.
Zeba McGibbon [00:01:44]:
Well, not with me. I was on the second grade team.
Shannon [00:01:48]:
I always forget that you’re not actually on our team because we’re always chatting and we’re always. You’re sharing things with me, I’m sharing things with you. We’re so cohesive.
Zeba McGibbon [00:01:59]:
Well, we do share a door, and we’re always opening and closing it, so. Yeah. And on the other side of your door is…
Meghan [00:02:05]:
I’m Meghan. I also teach second grade down the hall from Zeba, but was on the same team a couple of years ago.
Zeba McGibbon [00:02:13]:
Yes, and being on the team with you guys was the highlight of teaching second grade for me. So I had posed a question to my instagram and email list, and I said, scare a teacher in four words or less. And I want to share with you what they said and get your reactions.
Shannon [00:02:30]:
Okay, tell us.
Zeba McGibbon [00:02:32]:
First, I want to hear yours.
Shannon [00:02:33]:
Oh, God, so many. Meghan, you go first.
Meghan [00:02:37]:
Okay. I think the four scariest words to hear as a teacher is. My head is itchy.
Shannon [00:02:44]:
Oh, yeah.
Meghan [00:02:45]:
Me instantly itch and feel like I need to go to the nurse to get looked at. Along with sending the entire class.
Zeba McGibbon [00:02:51]:
Instant head itch. Yeah. For, like, weeks.
Meghan [00:02:54]:
Oh, yeah. Like fairy tales in bulk from BJ’s.
Zeba McGibbon [00:02:58]:
I didn’t know that was a thing. Okay. If you’re listening and you hear those words, there is something called fairy tales, and it, like, is preventative lice spray.
Shannon [00:03:09]:
Yes. Your head will smell like a loaf of focaccia bread because it’s just rosemary.
Zeba McGibbon [00:03:15]:
I think it smells like. Well, I got a different brand. I didn’t have that brand, but I. It smells like the citronella candles. Yeah, but I’ll take that over. It’s like a natural perfume, right?
Shannon [00:03:26]:
Yeah. The lice is disgusting, and I feel like lice when, like, I was a kid. Like, we would have to go down to the nurse and get our heads checked with these, like, little tweezers.
Zeba McGibbon [00:03:37]:
Yes. Routinely.
Shannon [00:03:39]:
Yeah. I loved doing it because it felt so calming on my scalp. And I’m wondering where that whole practice went.
Zeba McGibbon [00:03:46]:
I wonder the same thing. And I also really liked it, and it makes me. Do you like the. You know, they have, like, the head massagers that are, like wire?
Shannon [00:03:54]:
Yep. I love those.
Zeba McGibbon [00:03:56]:
Yeah. That’s what that reminds me of, yeah
Shannon [00:03:58]:
Absolutely.
Zeba McGibbon [00:04:00]:
I don’t know. It went down the tube with, like, student confidentiality, because now we’re not even told when students have lice, which I think is scarier. Like, just tell me to put my hair up so that I know.
Shannon [00:04:10]:
Yeah.
Meghan [00:04:11]:
Agree to scariest words. Hands down. I’d rather have the flu.
Zeba McGibbon [00:04:15]:
Well, you have a lot. You have a lot of hair. You have very long hair.
Meghan [00:04:18]:
Yeah, I don’t want that.
Zeba McGibbon [00:04:20]:
That’d be a lot of work. Shannon, what are your four scariest words?
Shannon [00:04:24]:
So this actually didn’t come from a child. This actually came. These four words came out because of a child, and it was, I’ll get the mop. Because once a child, I don’t know if he had the stomach bug or what, but they barfed all over my rug.
Zeba McGibbon [00:04:42]:
Oh, no.
Shannon [00:04:43]:
And all over my new madewell boots, too. And they were suede, so, like, I still see, like, the faintest little, like, watermarks on them. And when we called down, one of the custodians really wanted to make sure that it was all cleaned up, and he said, I’ll get the mop. But it was on a rug. So that worried me that they were mopping my rug. But you know what? I ended up getting a new rug anyway, so rest in peace. But every single year, I’ve had a barfer, and usually it’s been on just a clean surface. You can wipe it quick.
Shannon [00:05:19]:
They, like, put down the, like, guinea pig shavings, and then they, like, mop it all up. Nope, this was on the rug.
Zeba McGibbon [00:05:24]:
Like, the cat litter.
Shannon [00:05:26]:
The cat litter. Yeah. So I’ll get the mop. Was really stood out to me.
Zeba McGibbon [00:05:32]:
What stood out to me is that you still have the shoes.
Shannon [00:05:35]:
I still have the shoes.
Meghan [00:05:36]:
Yeah.
Meghan [00:05:36]:
You can’t get rid of Madewell.
Meghan [00:05:37]:
That might be the other scariest words. I still have the shoes.
Shannon [00:05:40]:
Actually wore them today.
Meghan [00:05:41]:
Throw those out.
Shannon [00:05:42]:
I know. Zeeb, what’s your four scariest words?
Zeba McGibbon [00:05:45]:
Okay, I’ve. I’ve really thought about this, and I have a couple, but I think the scariest ones for me that I’ve said that have come out of my mouth is, why is that wet? Because I’ll be like. The kids will be handing me things left and right. This is kindergarten. This is what you guys don’t understand.
Meghan [00:06:01]:
Absolutely terrifying.
Shannon [00:06:03]:
Yeah, you have lots of wet things.
Zeba McGibbon [00:06:05]:
Well, so they’ll be like, can you tie my shoes? Or, like, you know, can you help me zip this? Or, like, one girl was like, can you… what was it?
Zeba McGibbon [00:06:12]:
It was something like, oh, she needed help putting her hair, like, in a ponytail. And then. Why is that wet shoelaces being wet? Disgusting. Don’t want to know. Do not want to know why the shoelaces are wet. And then the hair being wet. She was full on. Admitted to having her hair, like, chewing on her hair, and that’s why it was wet.
Zeba McGibbon [00:06:31]:
And I was like, okay, gross. Wish you had a. Wish you. Or, like, they’ll ask me to open snack containers, and I’ll be like, sure, I’ll help you open that snack container. Put my hand on it soaking wet. They tried using their mouth.
Meghan [00:06:42]:
I think they tried it with their mouth first.
Shannon [00:06:44]:
This kind of reminds me of actually today. This actually was another adult who said, go wash your hands after I helped a student put a watch on their wrist. And the teacher said, oh, make sure to go wash your hands. And I was like, why? Because I was about to just go have lunch. She was like that. That fell in the toilet. And so I had so many questions, because why are we putting this back on their wrist? And I would just. What’s going on? That it wasn’t put in a bag and sanitized and thrown in the trash.
Zeba McGibbon [00:07:16]:
And at least giving you a warning before you touched it.
Shannon [00:07:20]:
Yeah, but I I followed her directions. I washed my hands, and we moved on.
Zeba McGibbon [00:07:26]:
Well, a lot of the teachers that wrote in definitely talked about lice a lot. Just lice in general. Scariest word. And then they added other things like ringworm and scabies. I’m like, I know not how to deal with that, but, oh, gosh, those are terrifying. I don’t want to hear those words.
Meghan [00:07:45]:
Nope, I don’t want those.
Zeba McGibbon [00:07:46]:
And then going off of the. Why is that wet? I got. What is. What is that? We get that a lot because you just never know what answer you’re going to get. What is that? What is that smell?
Meghan [00:08:02]:
That was happening in my room today? Oh, my gosh.
Shannon [00:08:04]:
It was. Meghan and I were sniffing around at lunch. Nose to the rug. Sniffing around, trying to hunt for pee. Nose to the rug.
Zeba McGibbon [00:08:14]:
This leads to. Why is that sticky?
Meghan [00:08:16]:
Yeah, that’s another tough one.
Zeba McGibbon [00:08:18]:
Which led to. Nope, it is poop.
Meghan [00:08:21]:
Oh, no.
Shannon [00:08:22]:
Chocolate or poop.
Zeba McGibbon [00:08:24]:
Yeah, that’s not something you want to have to say.
Meghan [00:08:28]:
That must have been a kindergarten teacher.
Shannon [00:08:31]:
Or it could have been a second grade teacher. It definitely. I feel like it could be anybody.
Zeba McGibbon [00:08:37]:
True. It is. We do deal with a lot of more bodily fluids in kindergarten.
Meghan [00:08:43]:
A lot more of everything.
Zeba McGibbon [00:08:45]:
Yeah. Okay, here’s. Here’s one that will send shivers down your spine. New student starts tomorrow.
Shannon [00:08:53]:
Meghan. That was Meghan two days ago.
Meghan [00:08:56]:
But if you listen to kindergarten Cafe, then you have all of your things ready and you just put them on the desk.
Zeba McGibbon [00:09:03]:
Thanks for that shout out.
Meghan [00:09:05]:
Zeba’s New student policy.
Zeba McGibbon [00:09:07]:
I know I do. A bag. But you said you put it in a bin. But, yeah, you just collect everything when you’re setting everything up at the start of the year and have it ready to go. It’s just a lot less stressful when you get that news. But still, when you get that news, you just never know. And sometimes that new student fits right in and everything’s great. And sometimes your entire class dynamic has completely changed forever and will never be the same.
Shannon [00:09:28]:
I know exactly what you’re thinking about. You’re thinking about that time that I called out sick and I was getting a new student the next day and I didn’t even have a desk for them. And who did I call? I called Zeba to get the desk. Meghan, I’m pretty sure you were, like, gathering all sorts of. You were, like, ripping things out of other kids hands to, like, put on this kid’s desk. Because I wasn’t there that morning. So definitely I would, you know, kindergarten cafe knows it best. Get your new student package today.
Zeba McGibbon [00:10:01]:
It sounds like you’re selling it I love it. I got other ones of like, you’re getting another student. Here’s your new student. But that’s the gist of it. Those words are scary. This one does not apply to our school. Thankfully, the sub didn’t show. We’ve definitely had issues where subs not showing.
Zeba McGibbon [00:10:19]:
But, like, thankfully in our school, not an issue where, like, then another teacher has to cover or, like, you can’t take your day off. Like, they call you back. Like, I’ve heard horror stories from other schools of issues with subs and teachers being called back. Or like, all the kids getting put into another class. All of a sudden you’re teaching 40 kids, 50 kids. So thankfully, that’s not an issue for us. But that is scary.
Shannon [00:10:43]:
That is scary. I feel like there’s, our school is so good about, just like, everyone will just jump in and help even if the substitute didn’t, for some reason wasn’t there.
Zeba McGibbon [00:10:53]:
But there have definitely been times where, like, there was a time you were out Shannon and Meghan had to call the office at 910 being like, uh, hello, is anyone coming?
Shannon [00:11:04]:
Yeah, for sure. But another thing that Meghan and I do is if one of us is out for the big major subjects, we try because our kids are so used to each other and, like, both of us teaching, we’ll take both of the classes and teach the math lesson so that if, like, Meghan’s out, our kids are on the same day, or if I’m out, she’ll take them. So it’s like we’re all cohesive and on the same day. So just a little tidbit.
Zeba McGibbon [00:11:29]:
I love that you guys do that. And I’m sure the subs love it, too.
Shannon [00:11:33]:
Yeah. And it’s just, it’s just consistent for everybody. Less busy work.
Zeba McGibbon [00:11:39]:
Yeah Keeps the curriculum going and stuff. I tried to do that when I was on the team, but you guys are just have such a flow going.
Shannon [00:11:46]:
Well, it was also, like, very, very Covid when you were on the team.
Zeba McGibbon [00:11:50]:
That’s true.
Shannon [00:11:51]:
You know what I mean? Like, we weren’t able to, like, squish them all in like we do now.
Zeba McGibbon [00:11:56]:
Well and you share a door. So it’s just like, so much easier to just be like, come in for ten minutes and then leave, you know, to go do the work on your own.
Shannon [00:12:03]:
Yeah. And then they all. It’s like, exciting. It’s like fresh new eyes. If Meghan says something, it’s like all of a sudden they’re. They listen because it’s like the novelty and it’s fun. They love going into the other teachers classrooms.
Zeba McGibbon [00:12:15]:
It’s also work smarter, not harder moment, because it’s less for your subplans that you have to write and plan for. Okay, here we go. Copy machine is broken always because you broke it.
Shannon [00:12:28]:
Yeah. Yep. That’s true.
Meghan [00:12:30]:
And then no one knows how to fix the jam, so you just have to abandon it.
Zeba McGibbon [00:12:33]:
Yeah. And then I’m the one who goes to the office being like, I didn’t do it, but someone abandoned a really bad paper jam, and I can’t fix it.
Meghan [00:12:41]:
I haven’t done that all year. Knock on wood.
Zeba McGibbon [00:12:43]:
I’m very.
Shannon [00:12:44]:
I actually did that yesterday. I did, but then I went, and then I just. But then I just went to the office printer, and I just started making my copies there, and I was like, oh, it’s so weird the staff room one has a jam.
Zeba McGibbon [00:12:57]:
At least you said something.
Shannon [00:12:59]:
Yeah, I was like, oh, someone better hurry up. Something’s really wrong in there.
Zeba McGibbon [00:13:03]:
Oh, my gosh. Another one people said was a student is missing. I feel like anytime you are, like, counting and you. Even if, like, someone’s in the bathroom or they’re in the hallway and you’re like, oh, my gosh, where did they go? Like, who’s. We’re not. I’m not counting the right number. Like, instant panic.
Shannon [00:13:21]:
Instant.
Meghan [00:13:22]:
This is when I always panic during a fire drill, when I count the kids 47 times to make sure that I have everyone, and then I second guess myself, and then I count them all a million more times before I hold. Hold up my card that I have everyone.
Zeba McGibbon [00:13:34]:
Yeah, because then you’re, like, counting wrong. Because you’re freaking out. Or they move and you’re like, I already counted you, and now I’ve… yeah instant panic.
Shannon [00:13:40]:
Yeah the worst. Or when they keep moving in line, you’re like, wait, did I count you?
Zeba McGibbon [00:13:46]:
Well, this is why I get so freaked out at field trips, because field trips are supposed to be fun, but I am just constantly counting. Like, I’m not even doing that in the school day. But bring me outside of school and with the kids, and I’m apparently just a wreck where I’m just constantly counting kids that I’m just so paranoid I’m gonna lose a kid. I’m like, this. This year is gonna be the year I’m gonna lose a kid. But so far, knock on wood. Haven’t yet.
Shannon [00:14:08]:
It’s only October.
Zeba McGibbon [00:14:10]:
Well, I haven’t. I don’t have our field trip until April, so it’s really only the field trips where I get freaked out about that.
Shannon [00:14:15]:
And big backyard sometimes they go wandering.
Zeba McGibbon [00:14:19]:
Well, anytime they’re like, yeah. Like a nature walk there with the parents. And who knows?
Meghan [00:14:26]:
Just gotta wear matching shirts.
Zeba McGibbon [00:14:27]:
Yes. You guys did that for your field trip. That was smart. Yep.
Meghan [00:14:31]:
We tie dyed, which I also would not recommend tie dyeing. Very messy indoors.
Shannon [00:14:37]:
Yeah, we did it inside.
Zeba McGibbon [00:14:39]:
Learn from their mistake, everyone.
Meghan [00:14:41]:
Yeah, I think I had green hands for two weeks.
Shannon [00:14:44]:
And then you brought them all home yourself and washed them in your own personal washing machine.
Meghan [00:14:50]:
Yes. Because otherwise they’re going to sit and get moldy in a bag.
Shannon [00:14:53]:
Yep, that’s what I did. Mine got so moldy. Yeah, your wish. You were so good. But no, I think we’re done doing that.
Zeba McGibbon [00:15:01]:
Overall, that sounds terrible. And, like, we should add it to this list.
Meghan [00:15:05]:
Yeah. Do not bring clothes home to wash for your students.
Zeba McGibbon [00:15:10]:
No. Yeah. Okay, here’s one that I’m surprised I didn’t think about. Two words. Very scary. Indoor recess.
Shannon [00:15:18]:
There is nothing worse than indoor recess. Or like, when. No, you know what’s worse? You know what’s worse is when they’re outside, and then they say, oh, we’re coming in. And so it’s like that transition, and.
Zeba McGibbon [00:15:32]:
It’S like now you have seven minutes of recess where you have to take out all your toys, and yet they’re. By the time they take all the toys out, recess is over.
Shannon [00:15:40]:
Oh, it’s the worst. Just keep them out in the rain.
Zeba McGibbon [00:15:43]:
That is worse than indoor recess. You’re right.
Shannon [00:15:46]:
Yeah.
Zeba McGibbon [00:15:46]:
Okay. Brown and sticky. Why? We thought we already kind of talked about that one, though. But that was one on the list. Oh, I’m going to puke now. I think this was written by someone older than kindergarten, because here’s what kindergarteners, they don’t. They don’t know they’re going to puke. They just say, my stomach hurts.
Zeba McGibbon [00:16:02]:
And it could be one of many things. And here’s my response. Usually when a student says, my stomach hurts, are you hungry? And they’ll say, no, but they probably don’t know, do you need to use the bathroom? They’ll say, no. I say, have you pooped recently? And then we get really into their poop history to find out, like, is their stomach hurting, that they’re nauseous, or are they constipated, like, what is going on? And then if I deem it worthy of, like, there could be a chance they might puke on me. I send them to the nurse.
Shannon [00:16:32]:
I once had a student say, it’s stuck.
Zeba McGibbon [00:16:36]:
Oh.
Shannon [00:16:37]:
Because they were unable to go and they felt like they needed to come back and report that to me.
Zeba McGibbon [00:16:44]:
Oh, I thought you were talking about throw up. You were talking about poop. Okay, that makes a little.
Shannon [00:16:50]:
Oh, yes.
Shannon [00:16:50]:
No, I was talking about. I was talking about poop.
Meghan [00:16:52]:
Hmm. I’m not sure what’s worse in that situation, poop or throw up.
Zeba McGibbon [00:16:57]:
But getting stuck like that, then you’re dealing with choking, like, so. At least it’s not that.
Shannon [00:17:02]:
No, no choking.
Zeba McGibbon [00:17:03]:
In second grade. Do the kids say, I’m gonna puke, or do they say, my stomach hurts?
Meghan [00:17:07]:
Um, I’ve had a mixture of both. I usually just send them right to the nurse.
Zeba McGibbon [00:17:12]:
Let them decide.
Meghan [00:17:13]:
I say, go to the bathroom. Do you need to go to the nurse? Because I don’t really want that to happen on my rug with a mop.
Shannon [00:17:20]:
Yeah, they’ll usually say, like, my. They, like, look at you, like, with those eyes, and you can tell it’s coming. They look, like, a little sweaty and nervous.
Zeba McGibbon [00:17:30]:
Last year, multiple kids had thrown up and not realized. They threw up and just started crying and then saying, like, their stomach hurts. But then they had already. There was, like, a trail. of vomit. And, like, they had no idea, like, that that came out. Multiple different kids. I was like, what is happening?
Shannon [00:17:49]:
Geez.
Meghan [00:17:51]:
Was this at different points during the year?
Zeba McGibbon [00:17:53]:
Like, yes.
Meghan [00:17:54]:
Okay.
Zeba McGibbon [00:17:55]:
No, not, like there was no, like, there was no neurovirus or any. Nothing like that. This was different. Random times of the year, random, different kids. Just not. Just trails of vomit. Not realizing that they had. That that had happened.
Meghan [00:18:06]:
Oh, gosh.
Shannon [00:18:10]:
Well, the neurovirus comes on very fast. We’ll have to give them that.
Zeba McGibbon [00:18:14]:
Well, I don’t know if it was the neurovirus, but yes. Yeah. Okay. This is a very kindergarten one. What’s in your mouth?
Meghan [00:18:22]:
Yeah, they’re putting things in their mouth still, in kindergarten, of course they are.
Zeba McGibbon [00:18:27]:
All the time. I mean, depends on the kid. But, you know, usually it’s like, pencils, markers, like that kind of thing. So if you touch anything in my room, it’s probably been in a kid’s mouth at some point. Just so you know.
Meghan [00:18:40]:
I don’t touch anything in the kindergarten room,
Zeba McGibbon [00:18:43]:
If you’re like can I borrow that dice? I’d be like, sure, it was in a kid’s mouth. Just so you know.
Meghan [00:18:47]:
Oh, my gosh.
Zeba McGibbon [00:18:48]:
Yeah.
Shannon [00:18:48]:
I don’t feel like we have a lot of kids that put things in their mouths. I hope not.
Zeba McGibbon [00:18:53]:
You’ll see them, like, sucking on something on the rug, and you’re like, what is that? And sometimes it’s food, and they’re trying to, like, sneak it. Sometimes it’s like gum, and you’re like. You really, like, please, you’re gonna choke and die. Or sometimes it’s like, objects, and you’re like, definitely, like, their hair tie, they just, like, mushed up and, like, put in their mouth or something.
Meghan [00:19:11]:
Oh, that would give me a heart attack. Kindergarteners are so wild.
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:16]:
Did I tell you that I had a. Was this. I don’t know if I. Okay, now I’m, like, second guessing. I don’t know if I saw it or if I. Or if it happened to me. So many weird things have happened in kindergarten. I think it happened to me.
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:28]:
A kid licked my foot.
Shannon [00:19:29]:
What?
Meghan [00:19:31]:
Like, in a sandal.
Shannon [00:19:32]:
So gross.
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:33]:
Yeah.
Meghan [00:19:33]:
Like, were you reading and they just bent over and licked your foot?
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:36]:
Yep.
Meghan [00:19:37]:
Huh. I’m not sure what I would do in that situation. What did you say?
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:43]:
Who knows?
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:44]:
This is so long ago. I think I said I just had this vivid memory. Like, a kid licked my foot. I think I said, like, I don’t think I said anything. I think I just been like. And move my foot away because I was so freaked out.
Shannon [00:19:57]:
So gross.
Zeba McGibbon [00:19:58]:
Or, like, keep your mouth to yourself or just please don’t touch me.
Meghan [00:20:04]:
Oh, my gosh.
Zeba McGibbon [00:20:05]:
Yeah, that happened.
Shannon [00:20:06]:
I feel like my kids are always playing with my shoelaces, but not with their tongues.
Shannon [00:20:12]:
Like, they just Like, if my feet are right in front of them, like, all of a sudden, I feel these, like, little. Little creepy crawly hands, like, on my toes.
Zeba McGibbon [00:20:19]:
They love to touch painted nails.
Meghan [00:20:22]:
Yes.
Shannon [00:20:23]:
Yeah.
Meghan [00:20:23]:
And they, like, rub them with their fingers like this.
Shannon [00:20:27]:
Yeah. You’re like, please don’t rub my toes.
Zeba McGibbon [00:20:29]:
These are the things that people who aren’t teachers don’t understand. Or, like, people who teach older kids, like, don’t understand. Like, when you have toes done, they’re gonna want to touch them.
Meghan [00:20:39]:
Oh, yeah. But they always know when you get your nails done, they always notice a new color. Biggest cheerleaders for new nails.
Shannon [00:20:47]:
Yes. Or, like, if you get new sneakers. I feel like I always ask my class when I get, like, a new pair of shoes, like, what do you think? And I’m like, oh, my goodness. Like, a bunch of second grade girls love my shoes. What does this really mean? Like, are they appropriate for me?
Zeba McGibbon [00:21:03]:
It’s a real boost to the self esteem.
Shannon [00:21:06]:
Yes, absolutely.
Zeba McGibbon [00:21:08]:
Like, one day, I was wearing a cute new outfit. I was feeling very confident. I’m standing outside my hallway, and the girl walks by in my class, and she’s like, Ms. McGibbon, you look different.
Meghan [00:21:19]:
I was like, is that good or bad?
Zeba McGibbon [00:21:21]:
I literally said, is that good or bad? And she goes, good.
Meghan [00:21:27]:
That’s like when I do my hair for the class picture, like the one day year that I do my hair, and then we get the class picture in one year. I had a student and he kept saying, I love your hair. I love your hair. So every other day of the year, my hair does not look okay.
Shannon [00:21:40]:
One of my students this year recognized that I wore the same outfit, like, this year for the picture day that I did last year. And I was like, what? No, I didn’t. I go, same exact outfit. Like, my hair was even the same. I was like, wow.
Zeba McGibbon [00:21:55]:
That’s your picture day outfit?
Shannon [00:21:58]:
Yeah.
Zeba McGibbon [00:21:59]:
Kids are so observant about random things.
Meghan [00:22:01]:
Yeah.
Shannon [00:22:02]:
I’m like, you’ve been staring at my old photos.
Zeba McGibbon [00:22:05]:
Yes, they have been. Last one is you forgot your attendance. I feel like I’ve been really good this year, but last year, the phone call every single day. And I even set an alarm on my phone to do attendance.
Meghan [00:22:17]:
I really should set an alarm.
Shannon [00:22:19]:
Do you get the calls too? Every day?
Meghan [00:22:22]:
Not every day, but I’ve gotten my share.
Shannon [00:22:25]:
And when they called, you just pick up and you’re just, like, posting now. I’m so sorry. Please don’t fire me.
Zeba McGibbon [00:22:32]:
So it got to the point where, like, I would just answer being like, I’m doing it right now. I’m so sorry.
Meghan [00:22:37]:
Yeah, that’s exactly what I do every day.
Zeba McGibbon [00:22:40]:
But the woman who does our attendance is the nicest woman in the entire world. And, like, she’ll be calling, and I’ll be like, hold on, kids. I don’t want to get yelled at. Even though I’m not actually getting yelled at at all. She’s just like, oh, could you please do your attendance? And I’m like, I didn’t do my attendance. Like, I’m the one freaking out.
Shannon [00:22:57]:
She’s so. She’s like, how’s your day? How’s your morning? Um, attendance. And if I were her, I would just be like, listen, lady, we’re going on year eight.
Zeba McGibbon [00:23:08]:
Those are all the ones that people submitted, and you guys have shared yours. But I didn’t know if there’s anything especially spooky for you about kindergarten as second grade teachers.
Meghan [00:23:21]:
Just about everything. Zeba, one time when I was in a kindergarten room, your room, while you were going to the bathroom to watch your kids, somebody came over to me with a little fabric thing from the play area and said, can you tie this around my waist? And I had to. I was like, I’m sorry, what? Tie it around your waist. What do you mean? And she just kept waving the fabric thing at me, and I just had to walk away and say, you’ll have to wait for your teacher. I had no idea what she wanted me to do and everything that they. That they came up to me to say, you’ll have to wait for your teacher. Very cute, but very unpredictable.
Zeba McGibbon [00:23:57]:
They just wanted help with their dress up.
Meghan [00:23:59]:
I had no idea what was going on.
Zeba McGibbon [00:24:03]:
They just love their dress up
Shannon [00:24:04]:
You know, tying around the waist. That’s not a great idea.
Meghan [00:24:07]:
Very cute. Very cute. But I could not teach kindergarten.
Shannon [00:24:12]:
No.
Meghan [00:24:13]:
Well, I didn’t, like, 100% no.
Shannon [00:24:16]:
Yes, you did.
Zeba McGibbon [00:24:18]:
I did not like teaching second grade.
Meghan [00:24:20]:
No. You are top kindergarten teacher.
Shannon [00:24:23]:
Yeah, you really are.
Zeba McGibbon [00:24:25]:
Thanks, guys. Shannon, anything scary for you about kindergarten?
Shannon [00:24:31]:
Hmm. Well, I’m always popping in and out of there. Today I saw you, like, they were doing the pledge of allegiance, and one of the kids was, like, so busy and immersed in doing something that you just, like, gently kind of pulled him up and, like, he did the pledge of allegiance. And I was just like, oh, my gosh. She’s like a mother to so many. And it’s just, I don’t like. I don’t know how you deal with all of, like, the amount of stuff, like. And manipulatives and, like, papers and, like, cleaning out the sand table.
Shannon [00:25:05]:
Honestly, the scariest thing about kindergarten to me is that sand table, because it is. Sometimes there’s sand, sometimes there’s soap. Sometimes there’s, like, dead leaves in there or snow.
Zeba McGibbon [00:25:15]:
No, never dead leaves in my sand table. There’s snow. Yes, dead leaves. No, no, no.
Shannon [00:25:25]:
You have nature in there. And I’m just like, oh, I have.
Zeba McGibbon [00:25:28]:
Nature in my classroom, but not in the sand table.
Meghan [00:25:31]:
Yeah, one thing.
Shannon [00:25:33]:
Oh, yeah. Your fish.
Meghan [00:25:34]:
He’s a little scary.
Zeba McGibbon [00:25:36]:
Oh, my goodness. Any last insights for the listeners on what it’s like to teach Dexter Ziba from kindergarten cafe?
Shannon [00:25:43]:
She is just the best. Ziba is always there to lend a hand. Or you know what? You also have the best snacks on top of your fridge.
Meghan [00:25:52]:
I especially am peanut butter cups.
Shannon [00:25:55]:
Yeah. I was hoping that you would restock everything but the bagel nuts.
Zeba McGibbon [00:26:02]:
Okay. And add these to my trader Joe shopping list.
Shannon [00:26:07]:
But seriously, Deeb, you are a rock star. We love having you. We really wouldn’t know what to do without you.
Meghan [00:26:13]:
No, you can’t ever leave.
Shannon [00:26:15]:
Never.
Zeba McGibbon [00:26:16]:
Well, thank you. I’m like, this is too much, you guys.
Meghan [00:26:21]:
Oh, Zeba.
Zeba McGibbon [00:26:23]:
But I really appreciate you coming on to share our spooky stories, and I just hope everyone listening just had a laugh. Because you know what? Halloween is not the most fun day to be a teacher. Although I think the worst day is the day after Halloween. So whenever you’re listening to this, I hope it gives you some laughs. I hope you enjoy, and we’ll catch you in the next episode.
Meghan [00:26:44]:
Goodbye. Bye. Happy Halloween.
Shannon [00:26:47]:
Happy Halloween.
Zeba McGibbon [00:26:53]:
Thanks so much for listening to the Kindergarten Cafe podcast. Be sure to check out the show notes for more information and resources, or just head straight to kindergarten cafe.com dot for all the goodies.
Zeba McGibbon [00:27:05]:
If you liked this episode, the best.
Zeba McGibbon [00:27:07]:
Ways to show your support are to subscribe, leave a review, or send it to a friend. I’ll be back next week with even more kindergarten tips. See you then.