Over the years, students have from time to time told me that I remind them of someone. Sometimes it’s their dad, or a crazy uncle, or some other member of the family. And sometimes it’s someone famous. Years ago, a few students told me that I reminded them of the Chandler character from the T.V. show Friends. Smart-alecky, goofy, and quick-witted? I’ll take that! Lately almost everyone says I look like Stu from the Hangover movies. What? The goofy guy who loses the tooth? Taking this as something positive has been more of a struggle.
Of course, sometimes the “you remind me of someone” game works in reverse. As in, when a student reminds me of someone. I had a student this past year that reminded me in many ways of one of my favorite students of all time: Trevor Smith. Many of you might know Trevor, and the tragedy surrounding his passing. Trevor was one of those rare kids that made everyone around him better. If you were an irritable person, you were less irritable in Trevor’s presence. If you were feeling judgmental toward others, you couldn’t help but view those around you with kinder eyes, since that was how Trevor viewed them. Having a bad day? Seeing Trevor’s smile would help you forget whatever was getting you down.
The student I had this year was similar. He was inclusive, quick to raise his hand to volunteer, and always willing to celebrate the creativity of those around him. He was a hard-worker, and his goofiness in class plays always made everyone laugh. He was, like Trevor, a wonderful student and an overall sweet kid.
In short, sometimes it’s very nice when you remind someone of someone else. In fact, in the case of my student this year, it’s a huge compliment. I can only hope I can be lucky enough to have future students that remind me even a little bit of Trevor. Of course, this is “what tigers dream of,” right?
Of course, sometimes the “you remind me of someone” game works in reverse. As in, when a student reminds me of someone. I had a student this past year that reminded me in many ways of one of my favorite students of all time: Trevor Smith. Many of you might know Trevor, and the tragedy surrounding his passing. Trevor was one of those rare kids that made everyone around him better. If you were an irritable person, you were less irritable in Trevor’s presence. If you were feeling judgmental toward others, you couldn’t help but view those around you with kinder eyes, since that was how Trevor viewed them. Having a bad day? Seeing Trevor’s smile would help you forget whatever was getting you down.
The student I had this year was similar. He was inclusive, quick to raise his hand to volunteer, and always willing to celebrate the creativity of those around him. He was a hard-worker, and his goofiness in class plays always made everyone laugh. He was, like Trevor, a wonderful student and an overall sweet kid.
In short, sometimes it’s very nice when you remind someone of someone else. In fact, in the case of my student this year, it’s a huge compliment. I can only hope I can be lucky enough to have future students that remind me even a little bit of Trevor. Of course, this is “what tigers dream of,” right?