No Lack Of Respect For A Lack Of Money

(I am student-teaching a class of rowdy sophomores.)

Student #1: “Yeah, but you’re just here because you’re getting paid.”

Me: “I’m not getting paid to be here.”

Student #1: “What?”

Me: “I’m a student teacher. I PAY to be here. This is a class. I have a full time job I’m working along with being here.”

Student #2: “Wait… this is a class for you?”

Me: “Yeah, I’m learning how to be a teacher. They do not pay me to do this.”

Student #2: “But, you’re the teacher. You’re doing the work of a teacher. They don’t pay you anything?”

Me: “No, I pay them.”

(All the students stare at me in shock… and then were perfectly behaved for the rest of the day.)