When you take those workshops to help you become a better teacher, they train you to be more patient, more kid-savvy. They train you to be able to think quick on the spot, handle in-class disputes, and be more diplomatic.

They prepare you for the students who don’t want to do their work, don’t want to read aloud in class, don’t want to take their head off the desk, don’t want to do anything but keep ignoring you, thankyouverymuch.

They even prepare you for the students’ parents who don’t want to hear complaints about their kids, don’t want to read any letters or e-mail from you, don’t want to get a telephone call in the middle of dinner, don’t want to do anything but keep ignoring you, thankyouverymuch.