An Oldie, but...

A goodie.

I was recounting this story to my student teacher today, and it reminded me that I haven't told it to YOU yet!

Many years ago, I had a very sweet, but VERY nervous fourth grade student named Kasey.

Kasey wanted to be a good student and worked very hard, however he never quite climbed out of the middle of the pack. If grades were based on effort alone, he certainly would have been at the top of the class.

Well, Kasey must have become disillusioned with never getting the grades he thought he should, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He cheated.

But found out he's not much good at that either.

You see, my students had two grammar review worksheets to complete each week and I left out the answer book so they could check their work.

(Of course I understand that students will use it for cheating. Quit rolling your eyes at me. They were review sheets, not the SATs.)

Those that chose to cheat at least got the benefit of seeing the right answers...

and were usually thrown under the bus by their peers anyway.

So anyhoo, Kasey copied answers to at least two questions directly out of the book.

I called him up to my desk, and as soon as he saw the paper in front of me he began to shake.

Me: Kasey, I know you copied these two answers right out of the book.

Kasey: No I didn't.

Me: Kasey, I know that you did. I am disappointed that you made that choice.

Kasey: No I didn't. I swear Ms. Lee.

Me: Kasey. Please, now is not the time to be dishonest. You made a bad choice, but we all make mistakes. Just own it, take your consequences, and let's move on.

Kasey: NO! I didn't copy! I swear! Please Ms. Lee!! You HAVE to believe me!

Me: Really, Kasey? Do you even know what "Answers may vary" means?

We called him "Answers May Vary" for the rest of the year...

 behind his back, of course.