I had a 10th grade biology teacher who mis-stated the gestation period of cattle. I respectfully raised my hand and said something along the lines of “I think that cattle carry their young for around 280 days, at least that is what my grandfather plans for.” My grandfather was a cattle rancher. She lost it on me, yelling at me with statements such as “how dare you challenge me” and “you are a horrible rude child.” She threw me out of class and sent me to the principal’s office. My mom was called and she came down. I was a good kid, rarely in trouble of any kind. My mom was shocked but was prepared to believe the teacher that I was being a little jerk because kids can be jerks. My mom came to the principal’s office to discuss it with the principal and teacher what had happened. When she told my mother what I had said my mom asked why she was angry. And when the teacher told her my mom, politely and casually said, “Cattle have a gestation period of 280–290 days. That is fact. So if she was rude, we can deal with that but I think you are angry because you were caught being wrong.” The teacher stood up, left the room and slammed the door. My mom asked for me to be transferred to another teacher and it was granted.

This incident helped shape the teacher I am. I make mistakes and allow my students to see that. I also welcome and encourage them to politely call me on mistakes (I even intentionally provide them with opportunities to do so!). I want them to challenge me, authority and concepts in a polite appropriate manner. This is how the world works and it is my job to prepare them.