NYC Educator recounts a day spent trying to convince administrators that he is, indeed, himself.
I was in my trailer, teaching something, when the phone rang. I picked it up.
"This is Miss Grundy from the switchboard. Is this NYC Educator?"
"Yes it is."
"Well I just sent a kid to your trailer with a coverage, and he says you told him you weren't you."
"Well, that can't be," I assured her. "I am most certainly me."
"AREN'T I ME?" I asked my beginning ESL class.
"Yes, teacher, you are you." they called out, with varying levels of enthusiasm.
A few minutes later, the phone rings again. It was the APO.
"This is Seymour Blatz. I understand you refused a coverage."
The conversation continues:
"Miss Grundy says you've been telling her monitors you aren't you."
"Well, Mr. Blatz, I am most certainly me. AREN'T I ME, CLASS?"
Screams and catcalls and "YES TEACHER YOU ARE YOU!"
"Okay, Mr. Educator. We'll try and find out who that person is."
"Thank you Mr. Blatz. Frankly, I'm a little upset about this character walking around claiming not to be me."
"I'll call security," he assured me.
"Thank you Mr. Blatz."
The bell rang.
We believe you, Mr. Educator.
I have a personal policy NOT to take phone calls while I am teaching. I make sure my students know this too. I'm there to teach, not to mess about with adults. I can do that on other time. They just have to wait.
Of course, perhaps your identity was being threatened with theft... ;-)