Eww! Underwear!

I have the incredible blessing of being a middle school teacher. Even more than that I have the pleasure and privileged to teach at a private school with administration and parents that are supportive and encouraging. Perhaps the amazing nature of the parents has resulted in the amazing and unusual character of my students.

Every year our school takes the 6th grade students to an overnight camp for three days. This year I was in charge of running the low challenge course. It is the fun rope swing and "spider web" out the woods that a facilitator (me) sets up silly and challenging goals for the team of students to complete and then pulls it all together in the end to talk about team work and any other lessons that the kids bring with them.

Out on that challenge course I saw courage far beyond their years, I saw students reaching out to a new student in their group. I saw them trusting each other in ways that they had not before... but all of that is typical for a challenge course. What was not so typical is how different the mindset these kids had over other students I've taught it suburban public schools. A perfect illustration of this is when during a challenge one young man laid out on the ground with his hand over his head. As a result his shirt revealed that just above the waist of his jeans, the elastic band from his boxers and a bit of material were showing. Having taught in the public school in the past I am desensitized to boys underwear hanging out the top of their jeans but a young lady in group has a look of disgust on her face and announces in a loud, offended and grossed out voice that only middle school girls can produce, "EWW, pull up you pants! No one wants to see your underwear! That's just gross!"

The young man's response was equally amazing. He looked embarrassed and blushed a little as he quickly pulled down his shirt and pulled up his pants.

So for all you out there who are beginning to despair at all the underwear out there, take heart there are those who will stand up and say "EWW, No one wants to see your underwear!"