Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

Every once in a while a story from my teaching days pops in my head. Since farming is at a standstill for now, you get an “off-season” story.

It is amazing what I find in my closet. Maybe I should clean it out more often! Last week I found the bedspread my grandma made during the Depression. This week I found something funny – an old, black, frumpy dress that I wore to play a trick on my third graders.

If you know me very well, you know I like books and reading. Another thing I loved doing was reading aloud to my third graders. Every class that entered my door heard the beloved story of “Charlotte’s Web.” And every class saw a tear in my eye when Charlotte died. I tried to read different types of literature – as I feel that is an important part of a child’s development.

Some of my favorite books were “Miss Nelson is Missing,” “Miss Nelson is Back,” and “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.” Whenever I read aloud, I always tried to really get into the characters. As I was reading these books, I thought, “Why not BE Miss Nelson? Or, even better, the substitute teacher, Miss Viola Swamp?”

So, with the help of the school secretaries, the physical education teacher, and anyone else who happened to be standing around, I literally transformed into Miss Viola Swamp! My third graders thought I was sick as I had been working at my desk and suddenly ran out of the room holding my stomach with one hand and covering my mouth with the other hand.

I will never forget the looks on the kids’ faces when their substitute walked in the room about 15 minutes later! I played the role of Miss Swamp all day and we had a fantastic time! There was actually learning that took place – just in case you were wondering.

It was undoubtedly one of the best April Fool’s tricks I have ever pulled off!

Until we walk again …