I have a student named Sangjin. He is quite insane, but in a kind-hearted way and with a penetrating awareness, if not exactly an academically-oriented intelligence.
In class this evening, I was keeping points on the whiteboard for the students. He gave a wrong answer, and per the rules of this system, I deducted some points. It was actually a lot of points, because the points at stake escalate as the class nears the end – this keeps the game competitive right up to the bell.
"Teacher! I hate you," Sangjin said. He was grinning his silly grin.
"Why?" I said, with some sudden mock seriousness.
"Because. Points," he explained, telegraphically.
"You're mad because I took away points?" I asked, to confirm.
He nodded and folded his arms, Psy-style (see picture). This is the way Korean rap stars have conversations.
"But," I protested. "That's my job!"
"To take points?" asked another student.
"Or to give points," I suggested, optimistically.
"That's a good job," the other student said.
Sangjin raised his hand. "What?" I asked.
"Well, then… Teacher! I hate your job!"
I couldn't stop laughing.