Too Close for Comfort

Yesterday afternoon, our new neighbors made their appearance. We have been really excited to meet our new neighbors who just bought the house next-door, so we walked over to introduce ourselves. We met the husband who was there to cut the lawn. He explained that he worked in an ER and his wife was a teacher. Imagine the look of dismay when I exclaimed, "Our son attends that middle school" and then, the look of relief when I clarified, "but, he's an eighth grader. He won't be at the same school next year."

I had to giggle. Of course, he looked relieved. I would be horrified if one of my students lived right next door. Not that I don't love my students and delight in seeing them out in the community. But, to live right next door to one of my own students? That's a bit too close for comfort. We teachers need to have a bit of privacy. Especially in our own homes. It's one thing to invite students over once they've graduated and grown up, it's entirely another thing to have to come home from working hard in the classroom to seeing one of your own students in your backyard.

What's even better for this teacher is that she teaches sixth grade. Our son never had her as a teacher, as she just started at his school this year. Our son plans to attend private school next year, so they won't even be in the same school system. This teacher is safe. Not that I would expect her behavior at home to be much different than at home... that's not what I'm saying. It's just nice to have boundaries.

I will forewarn them about the "epic" birthday party my son has planned in two weeks. It's going to be a movie-on-the-pond party and also a farewell to his school party. He plans to invite forty kids. I will make sure our new teacher neighbor is aware of this event so she can make herself scarce, if she's so inclined. Otherwise, imagine her dismay to look out the window to see forty students from her school running wild in our backyards. I'll give her a chance to hide.