I teach ninth grade English, and I am often reminded that my students watch what I am saying and doing constantly—probably even more so when I am not teaching a lesson about grammar or literature. Recently, I was chatting with a teacher and a former student in the hallway between classes, and somehow the topic of spending money on things we enjoy came up. I mentioned nice dinners, and my student finished my list for me, naming cupcakes with orange frosting. (I’m a sweet-eater and a Tennessee V-O-L-S fan.) My teacher friend looked … [Read more...]