The Beginning Teacher Choice Awards...

First, I must admit this isn't original to me; this is a blatantly swiped awards programs from a honored veteran of the field, and as such should be understood as not necessarily competing with the same, but rather as a compliment to it through imitation. In honor of the rapidly dwindling semester, and the last full week of classes prior to the end, I present to you, the first ever semiannual Beginning Teacher Choice Awards, hosted by yours truly, the Beginning Teacher.

It goes without saying that many, many individuals are worthy of a Beginning Teacher Choice Award, and truly, everyone should be proud of their efforts this semester. Still, only a few of the many could win, the winners are as follows:

The Beginning Teacher Choice Clockwork Award: This award goes out to the select few students who give their all to remain consistent, and inevitably are knocking on the classroom door three minutes after the tardy bell, who have been so steady in their performance, or lack thereof, that they have become a fixture in the environment of the day, so much so that their ever so rare punctuality is as a gift on Christmas morning.


The Beginning Teacher Choice TMI Award: While there were many candidates this semester, there is one particular instance that stands above and beyond all others. This award, given for the selfless sharing of information for the joy and entertainment, if not edification, of others goes to the young lady who decided that she must inform the entire hallway that she had not had sex in weeks and needed to get laid.

The Beginning Teacher Choice "Not Helping" Award: The gentleman that upon said announcement, immediately volunteered.

The Beginning Teacher Choice "Wow" Award: This one is a toss-up between two students. The first has repeatedly insisted on leaving class every other day for various athletic excursions, has not done any work throughout the entire semester, and now, in the last week of class, has demanded a parent-teacher conference, as he has obviously failed the course. The second has, every single day of the semester, peppered the class with various ignorant and racially charged statements, ranging from the generic "you people" to the very specific "I don't know why we have to read <air quote> Black Literature </air quote> anyway!"

The Beginning Teacher Choice Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: The gentleman who decided that, when a young lady claimed that her desk was too heavy to put into her assigned group for a small-group project, he should instead, pick up her, her desk, and her attending books beneath it, and place her into the group.

The Beginning Teacher Choice "Unsung Hero" Award:  This is the only award that I would give to several students, and I honestly wish I could give them recognition. A few of my students, in each class, have been here every day, are always on task, always make sure to be prepared for whatever I throw at them, and are just all-around good kids. They do what they should, are driven to succeed, and while they may struggle at times, they never give up. These are the students that keep me coming in every morning, no matter how tired I am, and keep me staying late every evening, as I cannot help but match their dedication and enthusiasm for their own education.