This will be on the test
Life advice from two sisters and former teachers. We discuss topics that are not taught at school, but which are on the test of life. If you are a first-time adult and trying to figure life out, give us a listen.
This will be on the test
Is Your Kid Ready for School?
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Starting school can feel like a lot, for kids and parents. In this episode, Ami and Lydia break down what actually helps when preparing a child for school, what parents should focus on, and what teachers are hoping kids come in with. It’s a practical, honest look at how everyone can make the transition smoother.
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What's up? Amy on the microphone.
SPEAKER_00You got Amy and Lydia. Woo woo. Welcome back with another Thursday episode at Poly. We're back with this will be on the test. Will this be on the test? It's a little bit late.
SPEAKER_02I mean this is so make sure grab a notebook and because this will be on the test.
SPEAKER_00You just did a run and you were super fast. You want to tell our listeners about this? Because we were a few episodes ago we talked about preparing for a sports event.
SPEAKER_02True. I did a 10K with Naomi, our other sister, one of our other sisters. Um and I did it in an hour and 51 minutes, which is I was pretty proud of myself.
SPEAKER_00You mean you did it in 51 minutes?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I did it in 51 minutes. Whoops. I was like, wow, she was a good one. I was wondering why you're so confused. I was like, wait, that's a good time. No, I did it in 51 minutes at minus the hour. I don't know why I added the hour to snuff.
SPEAKER_00Um you came in seventh, no?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I came in seventh.
SPEAKER_00Out of a hundred people.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I'm pretty proud.
SPEAKER_00That's crazy.
SPEAKER_02I ran with Naomi and she was like going really fast in the beginning, and I was kind of thinking, I think we need to cool it because I think we're gonna burn out otherwise. But it was good that I had her because she's done races before, and she kind of knew okay, for a 10k, you can almost give it your all the whole time, and you'll be fine at the end of it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Well, that's a crazy time. 51 minutes. That's insane. Very cool.
SPEAKER_02It's almost as impressive as an hour and 51 minutes.
SPEAKER_00Almost. Almost. You know, different different levels, different goals. That's okay. I was a little shocked when you said an hour and 51 minutes, and I was like, wait. I'm that impressed.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_00It's kind of a long like time to get seventh. Yeah, that would be so you used all our tips in our how to prepare for a race, and you got seventh, right?
SPEAKER_01I did. I actually did, yeah.
SPEAKER_00So what I'm hearing is our advice went works.
SPEAKER_02It does. And I also started with you know how I said start with a small race and then move on. Did that too. That was a good idea. I think I might do a half marathon this year still. Oh, the one in the one um at the Grief Fazer is nice. Oh, okay. I heard that it's like a really cool vibe. So that's what I'm looking for. If it can be like a festival in the form of a run, that's what I'm going for. Alright. Sounds cool. And you have a pickleball tournament tomorrow. Yes.
SPEAKER_00Yes, I am a little bit more.
SPEAKER_02Could you qualify?
SPEAKER_00No, this is the first, like I really enjoy pickleball. I'm very excited. Um, but they don't have any categories or I mean they have categories, but no like levels. And I'm in like the beginner intermediate level, and I'm going to be playing against one other team that is like on my level, and the other teams are like semi-pros. So it's a little intimidating. A little bit. It's okay. My partner and I were like, okay, the goal is to make two points at least against each team.
SPEAKER_01Oh, yeah, that's nice. Are you playing with Mandy?
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Nice.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, nice. It'll be fun. Um, yeah, I have that one, and then in May, I'm going to the Paris Open for a pickleball. Oh, sounds true. Should be fun.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. That's very fancy. Is mom going too?
SPEAKER_00Of course she's going.
SPEAKER_02Of course. Our mom is like addicted to pickleball. It's insane.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Last weekend she did a pickleball training, and I think she wants to get better than all of us without like, I don't know. I think she's like super competitive and wants to get better and like just be a lot better than us. So she didn't tell us about it. But Connie told me about it, and I was like, I'm gonna sign up. Don't tell my mom. So then at the train station, I just like ran into her and she was like, What are you doing here? Like, well, I signed up too, because I got my my peeps that tell me things. Because you won't. Um, so yeah.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think that might be a secret ambition of hers. We have had this episode requested by one of our most loyal listeners, Mia requested that we do an episode um on kind of prepping your kids for school or what what you can do as a parent or an auntie to help prepare your kids so that they're ready for school. Yes.
SPEAKER_00So I'm ready.
SPEAKER_02Would you rather teach a class of persistent teachers' pets or class clowns? And Okay.
unknownYes.
SPEAKER_02Okay, do you know what I mean by persistent teachers' pets?
SPEAKER_00No, I was gonna ask, what is your definition of a persistent teacher pet?
SPEAKER_02Because like it's almost annoying how nice they want to be. And it feels fake.
SPEAKER_00Like they're sucking up to you.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00See, this is I don't think you necessarily want your kid to be a teacher's pet, depending on what like the goals are in the class. I think the class clown can have a really good idea. You definitely want your kids to be a good class clown. Well, they can have a really good relationship with the teacher. Like I had a few class clowns or kids that just like knew not always, sometimes they went over like the the border of what was funny and what was not, or what was okay in class and what was not. But like, I don't know. It depends on the amount of class clownliness, the teacher. I also had some teachers' pets, that was fine, but persistent teachers' pets makes me not like the kid. If it's like if they're if they're sucking up too much, I'm like, okay, just be just be yourself. It's fine. I'm gonna either like you or not because we're both human.
SPEAKER_02I agree with that, but if you have a full class of class clowns, then that's also exhausting. If they're on be.
SPEAKER_00I think it depends. If they're like, is the class, I think that for it to be equal, the class clown has to be on all the time. Because you can have class clowns that like know where the limit is and like know when enough is enough. Or you can have class clowns that are just always interrupting, always making a joke, always pressing.
SPEAKER_02Well, you're gonna have a bit of both.
SPEAKER_00Ugh.
SPEAKER_02But they're all gonna be class clowns.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I do think the class clowns do get more exhausting if they don't have a limit.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Whereas teacher pets, it's just kind of like they're trying really hard.
SPEAKER_02And yes, they can be annoying, but they are really nice to you.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. No, I mean it's true. But too nice, you know? Like, I don't want someone to suck up to me.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I know. Yeah. But sometimes it is. Like I have one student who is very cute, and then she keeps on telling me how much she likes me as a teacher, but that it feels very genuine. It's not I was yeah.
SPEAKER_00If it's genuine, yeah, it's something different than if they're like, I need this teacher to like me, I'm gonna tell her how amazing she is. But you can feel that it's like it's coming from their parents or something, and it's like this is just weird, just it's okay if you don't think I'm an amazing teacher.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think also there you probably have both. I think I'd go with the teacher's pets now that I think I would too. Thought about it. Even though the other thing just seems exhausting over time, yeah. Although I do agree there is like a few class clowns are needed for the vibe, but yeah, and they can be some of the best students, yeah. Some of the favorites.
SPEAKER_00Would you rather have a class full of really involved parents who can be rather critical or laid-back parents who don't take a big part in their kids' lives?
SPEAKER_02So I've taught at schools that have both. I've asked myself this question. I don't know which is more exhausting.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I agree with you. Because at first I was like, well, you want the parents who are like chill.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00But then you don't, because you want parents who are really not really involved, but like involved in their kids' life. Yeah, like the laissez-faire parents. I I don't understand why they have kids if they don't take care of them. Like that to me is absolutely baffling. Where I'm like, this is your kid. You decided to have this.
SPEAKER_02Like for the kids that are spoiled, shall we say, or just very um coddled, I think they need for you to be like very gentle with them, and sometimes they can be a little bit disrespectful. But on the flip side, the kids that have parents that don't have enough time for them, they need so much like love and attention from you, which is also exhausting.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I think I think in the beginning, when I just started working, I would prefer the laid-back parents. And the more experience I gain, I will get more and more comfortable with the critical parents because I feel more comfortable in what I'm doing.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_02That's a good answer. Two years, I think I could go to a school where there's like posh kids.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Okay. So far we've been on the same page. Okay. I think I think age does help a little bit. Because like now in my late 20s, early 30s, I can like I could deal with critical parents. Yeah. Either by being like, look, I understand, or by being like, you need to back the fuck off. You are overstepping your boundaries and you are not making the situation better. And I think that comes with like a confidence in the job. Yeah. Not that I worked very long as a teacher, but but in the beginning it's daunting. Yeah, in the beginning, if somebody's like, Why are you doing this? You're like, I don't know. This is what they taught me at university. Is this wrong? I feel like everything's wrong, but everything's right. I'm like almost the same age as these children.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's wild. Um then you have the the parents who are like 10 years older and you're doing parent teacher problems. You're like, anyway.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, or like 20 years older, and you're like, I'm totally the expert. I know what I'm doing. Um yeah, I think the the involved parents are more what you want. If they could not be critical, that'd be the best.
SPEAKER_02And the involved parents, usually I respect more. If they're like gung-ho about their kid, yes, sometimes it can be annoying, and I can be like, guys, it's not that I just got off the bus and decided that I'm gonna become a teacher out of nothing, like I went to school for this, but I can still respect the fact that they are like gung-ho about their kid and want to protect them.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. And at least they're involved in their kids' lives. I think that's a big thing too. It's like, well, yeah, at least you decide it and you're like going for it, and this is your kid, and maybe you have the wrong approach every once in a while, but you have an approach. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Would you rather have a class of 10 ADHD dyslexia and so on, like kids with a diagnosis, I'm guessing? Um, that really try, or 10 kids without ADHD or any other diagnosis, but they just kind of are there.
SPEAKER_00I mean, the the kids with diagnoses definitely need more hands-on, I would say. Like, I'm not really sure how to deal with a kid with dyslexia. I don't think I've ever had it. I mean, no, I had a kid with severe dyslexia, but there we had like the assistant that was always in the room because she just like her dyslexia was really severe. She could not spell in any language.
SPEAKER_01Oh damn.
SPEAKER_00Um so that was exhausting if I had to do that by myself. Oof.
SPEAKER_02It's only 10 students.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I think you want the kids who really try.
SPEAKER_02It's funny because I think it's different in high school and primary school.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I mean, I I can imagine what your your students would look like just showing up and it's very annoying. If they don't like they are unmotivated for school and everything.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and just like if you have to like if you have to pull everything out of them, if you have to be the animator, if you have to like that's true. Oh, I find that way more exhausting than just like, hey, you're too excited. You gotta sit down. It's okay. I know math is super exciting. Like it's for me, it's way more energizing when a kid is really trying, even if they have the wrong motivation, maybe. Like at least they're already motivated, and I just need to draw the lines and guide them. Whereas if they're unmotivated, I need to like pick them up and try to motivate them and yeah.
SPEAKER_02I think you've convinced me. Oh, because now that I think about it, I did once have a class where like you could ask a question to the class and nothing. And I just had them for a few months and I came back from traveling, and then I was like, anybody have any questions? Not one question about my travels. I was like, are you guys okay?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so they just yeah, they just they don't interact, they don't like you, they don't want to be there, you don't like there's no connection at all because like it takes two to tango kinda.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And and ten ten, I mean it's not special needs, but I mean, yeah, special needs kids um is doable depending on how severe it is. Yeah, that's what I thought too.
SPEAKER_00Cool. I'm glad we agree on this one.
SPEAKER_02We're so in sync.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there's I mean, all three would you rather questions today we've just agreed with each other on, which is pretty crazy.
SPEAKER_02We have some exciting news. You can become an official A student for as little as $3 a month. You can support the podcast and you get early access to our shows, which means you can listen in on Tuesday instead of Thursday. Also, we will give you a special shout-out in the accent of your choice. And if you don't choose an accent, we'll choose one for you. Do you think that um do you think that parents should prepare their kids for school at home?
SPEAKER_00This is a difficult question. I think my gut says no. Okay. But then, yeah. Like, yes, you should a little bit. Like talk to your kid about what this new phase of life is gonna be like. What like what they can expect, I think. Maybe not, I don't know, not like a boot camp, but yeah. Your kid is like it's a completely new experience for them.
SPEAKER_02I think Well, how would you ex how would you expect the prepping to be?
SPEAKER_00I think it's really difficult because like I taught kids who had already been through the ringer, like who had been in the school system for at least six years. So they knew what was coming. And then in high school or like middle school, I just told them what is different, what is new, what are the expectations, how are the teachers more likely to behave differently than primary school teachers? Um I think if you can prep them, I don't know, I think it really depends on the kid, but like if they already are interested in reading or interested in books that you're already like sitting down with them and reading and learning the different animals, learning the different letters and stuff like this. Like, I don't know if I would consider that school prep or just like doing your part as a parent.
SPEAKER_02I agree. I think if they're I don't think you have to force anything, but if they are interested, like I know a lot of students in my class they like to play school, and if they want to do that, then I mean that would be the best way for them to kind of get a feel of what it'll be like. Yeah. Like they learn so much through play. Do you think that parents should prepare their kids after primary school before high school somehow?
SPEAKER_00I think maybe not prepare their kids, but be prepared to talk about it once they start and be prepared for things to be a little different. I mean, from what I gather, middle school or like primary school is a lot more teacher focused. Where like here in Switzerland, one teacher teaches everything. So you have like a really strong connection with that teacher, and then middle school, depending on what level you go, you have a different teacher for each subject.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And just that, like that maybe you don't have a very strong connection to each of your teachers. And what do you do if you don't like a teacher? You know, like those kind of questions that I feel like might come up more in middle school.
SPEAKER_03Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00That you're just ready to yeah, have I dunno talk with your kid.
SPEAKER_02But to be ready that it's different, and I think also to be ready for your kid to hate it in the beginning.
SPEAKER_03Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_02Like, yes, take it seriously if it's over a longer time, but a lot of students also that came to my class, like I heard from the parents then later on that in the beginning they thought it was way tougher than before.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_02But I don't think that's because it was actually tougher. I think it's just because they weren't used to my rules.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and sometimes like sometimes a strict teacher is like in the beginning, they're I mean, I had kids who whose parents were like, Well, she's way too strict, she needs to chill out, and I was like, you need to back off because I know what I'm doing. Because in the beginning, I'm going to be a bit of a bitch.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because kids need to fall in line, they need to realize they're not in charge, it's not Julio's rules. The last name I would have thought of. I don't know why that was the first name I thought of. No, but like they they need that person to take over the reins. So I think, yeah, that's a good one. Your kid might not enjoy it because they're gonna have someone else in charge that's not mom and dad, and they have to adjust to that.
SPEAKER_02And I think, yes, protect your kid, but also just the the perception of a of a kid can be way different. And so if they come home and they're like, oh my god, Miss Mackenzie was so mean to me, she said this and this and this, like maybe wait half an hour. I've had I've gotten so many messages, and then later on called with the parents and they're like, I just had to do something in that moment. Yeah, and then I'm like, okay, but the something doesn't have to involve the teacher right away. Like that's yeah, I realize that you want to protect your kid in that moment and you want to do something, but maybe wait 20 minutes and then ask them again, okay, now what happened at school? And then maybe they can maybe it was the teacher. Like, I'm not saying that the teachers don't do shitty things, and sometimes it is justified to ask and be like, hey, this seems weird, what happened? But sometimes the kid comes home and they're in a fury, and then after 20 minutes later, I can imagine they're like, Yeah, well, I didn't follow the rules a few times, that's why she got so mad at me. Mia asked me, like, if there's anything she should be doing to prep her kid, and he's only two, but still it's very cute, so that you know he he'll be ready for school so that he'll fit in, kind of thing. What would you recommend, or what would you make sure to do with your own kids so that they can fit in the school system?
SPEAKER_00Um, okay. Well, first I'm going to compliment Mia. I think she's already doing this, and I don't think a lot of parents are. You are responsible for your child's discipline.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You are responsible for holding them accountable to their actions. And that is something they learn at a very young age before they get to school. If the first time they are held accountable is in first grade, that is going To be horrible for the child, horrible for the teacher.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it's gonna be horrible for both. That's a good point.
SPEAKER_00Like, if if the first time your kid gets some boundaries is in first grade or in kindergarten, they're gonna be so shocked because they don't know what this is. Like you're responsible for giving your kids boundaries, for making sure they're safe, and also know some things are okay and some things are not okay. And that'll be family dependent, that'll be parent-dependent, that'll be kid dependent. But like if you are already setting your kid up to understand that like they don't always get everything they want, they can't just do whatever they want whenever they want, you're already preparing them for school, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's a good, that's a very good point. I heard from a kindergartner that I know, she's been a kindergartner for at least 20 years.
SPEAKER_00Um I hope you mean teacher.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, kindergarten teacher. She's had to repeat. She's been a kindergartner for 20 years. She's seen it all. Biggest kid in the class. Sorry. Kindergarten teacher. Um, and she said that her job has changed drastically over the past few years, and that now she's just like her job is disciplining the kids. Which is not, she's like, it's not my job, but most of what I do in a day is just teach these kids discipline and rules and how to respect those. So I fully agree with you. I think that is the biggest thing that you can teach your kids is boundaries, and also that's how you can prepare them. I think is to be like, This your teacher is kind of like mom and dad when you're at school, as in you listen to the rules. Yes, you can question it, and you can tell the teacher if you're confused, but they make the rules in the classroom. Yeah, yeah, and yeah, the whole discipline. I think disciplining your child, it it sounds so rough, but it's also it's just like giving them structure, which is something that I sadly I think if they don't have good structure in the beginning, it's something that is very hard to make up later on.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. And I I don't know, I think people are like, oh, you can't like don't be mean to your kids, don't set like harsh consequences and stuff. But I'm kind of of the opinion of I love knowing where the boundaries are. I love being in a situation that is kind of clear. And if I have to figure everything out, it's exhausting. So you're not doing your kid a favor by not giving them a structure. Like you're you're helping them much more, even if sometimes you feel like you're being a little bit of a bitch or you feel like you're being a little bit of a dick. Like if you're giving them structure and like this absolutely doesn't work, and this is what's gonna happen if you I don't know, throw your toys at your sibling, then this is the consequence, and you do that 90% of the time. Like you're giving your kid a safe space and it's not you're being mean, it's like you're building that safe space that they need. And I think sometimes discipline is seen as like I don't know, creating a traumatic space, which I don't think it has to be.
SPEAKER_02Well, because life's gonna be disappointing at some point.
SPEAKER_00People are gonna tell you you can't do that.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, you can't eat candy 24-7, or you can't always buy this because money will be tight. And I heard on a on a different podcast, I wish I remembered the name of this, but she's um like she has an education and edu like she's an educator, and she said boundaries are even just important for the emotional regulation of a kid. Like, imagine if the first time they hear no is when they're 17 and they want to do something with their partner and their partner doesn't, and they have a meltdown. Like one, which I feel like it's very unattractive, and two, it's just like no way for us to behave in a society.
SPEAKER_00No, like if also you need to know other people's boundaries. Yeah, like I feel like sometimes people say, Hey, I'm uncomfortable, stop, or no, and if that's if this person is not used to having boundaries, they might overstep them. Yeah, and like this is quite a big thing, I think, in society that boundaries are being overstepped because we're treating our kids like they can have everything in the world and nothing's ever gonna go wrong, and we're trying to create this world for them that is just not realistic, and you're setting them up to be very lost. Sorry. Um, back to the question.
SPEAKER_02Okay, um, so I think no, I think as like a parent, you can just make sure that you have certain rules for the kids, and then maybe before kindergarten starts, like talk to them about what the rules is or play kindergarten with them, and you're the teacher, and so they can see, oh okay, first I have to take off my shoes, put on my like it's even I do this, or I used to do this when I started teaching, is I would go through the lesson in my head. Yeah. And just kind of do those steps with them. Yeah. Do you think there are like certain things that are being pushed onto the school that shouldn't be, and certain things are being pushed onto the parent that shouldn't be?
SPEAKER_00It's like you're asking that question in a suggestive way and you already have a very strong opinion. Um I will answer as a middle school teacher. The role of the teacher is to teach a subject and not to teach and maybe some life skills. I do think, yeah, for sure. But and also, ooh, okay, sorry. I just thought of this. Like Yes, I do think some teachers it's important to teach some discipline. Because I think it's really good for kids to realize that depending on who they're working with, mom and dad might be like this. Miss Mackenzie is like this. And depending on who you're working with, you gotta change your approach a little bit. And I think that's really good for a kid to have. If they only have one person who's giving them rules and consequences and discipline, then they think that's how the world works. If they have four or five people, then it's like, oh, okay, with grandma, grandpa I can do this, with mom I can do this, with dad I can do this, with Miss Mackenzie this, and like they have this understanding of that you have to adapt to your situation.
SPEAKER_02I agree. I think in primary school, the best way for success for your kid is if you see your teacher as your teammate trying to get your kid through school the best way possible. And I think the teacher's job is the basics of teaching the kid, and you as a parent have to pick up the slack with the kid. Yeah. Because the school system just isn't made for anything else. Like some kids will have to study at home, some kids, yes, there's like this rough rule of how much homework we give. For some kids, that'll be way more, and it's kind of your job as a parent to either do it with them or to find an uncle, an aunt, or somebody who can support them because we just we can't do that, also.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Also, some kids are gonna need tutoring. Some kids are not like the math that is taught might like they just might not have the capacity to grasp it yet. And maybe it'll come in a year, maybe it'll come in five, maybe it only comes when they're 20. Maybe they have the same thing with languages, and they just need someone to really break it down to the most basics basic like structure. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02And if you see the teacher as your teammate, then you can give him a call and be like, like, I love these parents who will call me and be like, look, we've been doing homework for an hour every evening. He's exhausted. Can we just leave out this homework for today? Because he's been doing such a good job the rest of the day. It's like, yes, I will always say yes to one of those things. But if you call me and you're like, you gave too much homework, this is not okay, like, what were you even thinking? Then that's the same issue, but completely different tone.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02And I'll probably say say yes even like with that tone, also, but guess who I'm not gonna help first? Next time.
SPEAKER_00We should do an episode of how to like talk with people to get like to get your point across. I think this is something that a lot of people are that a lot of people struggle with right now.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah, we should do one on communication. I think just always assume that your teacher until like in the beginning at least, unless they prove you wrong, assume that your teacher has the best interest at heart. And if you know that your kid is difficult or not, the school system is not made for them, then approach the teacher about it and tell them, like, look, I can imagine my kid is annoying in class. Like, I know, let's just try to work together. That then I will always take more time and energy for that kid, even subconsciously, because I know the parents are in my corner. Yeah. And I think if you want to like to kind of finish it off, if you want to know how to prepare your kid for school, I mean ask their teacher. If they're coming into kindergarten and you're really nervous about this, then I would go to the to the kindergarten that they're gonna go to and ask the teacher there, hey, is it like I'm feeling nervous about this? Is there anything I should be doing to make sure they're ready?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, if you have the capacity, go visit the kindergarten with your kid once so you can actually like see it live, you can discuss it together. Quite a few schools would be open to that.
SPEAKER_02Oh, yeah. And I as a teacher would only appreciate that, I think.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think that's a good good point.
SPEAKER_02Um, so funny stories, Amy and I both lived with Naomi, but at separate times. And Amy was a teacher at the time, and I was a teacher at the time that I lived with Naomi, and I was telling her about like these some of the students that I had who I had to discipline, and the parents had like I got one really mean message at one point, which was kind of saying that it wasn't okay how I disciplined their kid because I put him at the bottom of the rainbow system.
SPEAKER_00How dare you move a sticker in a little image?
SPEAKER_02No big deal, but they were very brutal about it.
SPEAKER_00Sorry, it's just a very funny image, no? Like you move them to the bottom of a whiteboard, even though they were being an absolute dickhead. Wow, how dare you?
SPEAKER_02Sorry, it's so bizarre. And like, yes, to the kids. I know the rainbow system means a lot, that's why I use it, but it's a total arbitrary system. Anyway, um, after like hearing a few of these stories, Naomi's like, you know, I think that parents parents with ill-behaved students should have to pay a fee. So if you have a shitty kid or a kid with shitty manners, then you have to pay for them to go to school. So like school is free. School is free for all the like well-behaved students, and then the ones who are not well behaved, they have to pay tuition, which I thought was an interesting, an interesting idea.
SPEAKER_00I don't hate it. Let me just say either. Um so I have a story about me being a teacher's pet that I thought would be fun.
SPEAKER_02I read this, I didn't know or forgot this fact.
SPEAKER_00So basically, it did work when I came to Switzerland. My German was quite bad. My primary school teacher wanted to send me into the lower class of middle school, and then we met with the like higher class middle school teacher, and he was like, No, Amy can absolutely join my class, she just needs to take some German lessons. And mom was like, We need to make sure you stay on this man's good side. And so I think she did actually prep me for it. It wasn't like suck up to him, but just a little bit. Like occasionally when he went the extra mile, we would give him a gift from me, which you know, I was 13. Obviously it wasn't. We would give him a gift, we would give him a we gave him a really nice pen when I passed an exam that he helped me study for. Not an exam with him, it was an external exam, but just like a thank you for helping my kid go the extra mile. Um, and I remember he was he is a very religious person. Very and when I went to school in this little village, it was it was okay to still pray in class and everything. And I was quite an outspoken kid of whenever there was like we have to go to church or like perform this in a church, I'd be like, but I don't believe in God. Because that was just who I was as a person, or I would do a Buddhist prayer in a Christian church because I thought it was funny, because I don't like we just weren't raised really religious, and my mom was like, Look, he's gonna make you say prayers, he's going to talk about God. You are not going to say anything, just mm-hmm, okay. We even like she was like, We're gonna sign you up for these extra religion classes until you're on his good side. So I went to like all the religion classes, and then after the second year, the third year was like an optional, did you want to do this? And I was like, I'm kinda done, like he likes me, we're good. And my mom was like, Okay, we can tell him now. It's like, yeah, I'm not really religious. And he he had no problem with it, it was not a thing we should have been doing for the three years, but she thought it was really important. So for two years, I I pretended to be quite Christian.
SPEAKER_02That's amazing. He was a very good person. He was, it worked, he loved her, and I went into like I had him as a high school teacher too. I was expecting him to love me also because he loved you. He liked me, but it was no, no comparison to you.
SPEAKER_00But I think I was just like the underdog who, you know, he really liked underbugs. I had to put in a lot of work, and I was willing to put in the work, and I think as a teacher, that's like that's what you want to see is that kid who's like, fuck, I gotta hunker down and do this. It's okay. You're your kid's parent, and don't be a dick to their teacher.
SPEAKER_01Yep.
SPEAKER_00Don't be an asshole.
unknownOkay.