Challenges in Teaching: The Outsiders and Superman’s Mom

Years ago when I was still teaching, my 8th grade English classes would read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Did S.E. Hinton really write The Outsiders by herself?), and at the end of the unit we’d watch the 1983 movie with Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Tom Cruise, and a bunch of other 1980s actors.

At the end of my 6th period (it was one of THOSE kinds of classes), one of the more disruptive boys (he actually was disruptive) made a lewd comment about Cherry Valance, the only significant female character in the book/movie.

Cherry had been portrayed by actress Diane Lane, and she was one of those actresses that a lot of guys in the 1980s thought was good looking.  Yeah, she was a hot chick from a teenage guy’s point of view (I might have to be careful talking about stuff like that), even in those late 1950s early 1960s outfits.

I could have ignored the comment.  I ignored a lot of comments back then. Teachers survive by ignoring a lot of comments. But I didn’t want to ignore this one. His comment had been loud enough for me to hear, and if a teacher gets a reputation for allowing too much stuff in his/her classroom, then bad stuff happens later. The challenge is finding an effective response for this kind of thing. Maybe I could have lectured the guy who made the lewd comment, but it wouldn’t have done any good. Lectures usually make the original comment funnier.

Instead of a lecture, I said, “Ew, you have a crush on Superman’s mom.”

The kid looked perplexed.

“Cherry was Superman’s mom in that Superman vs. Batman movie.” 

Several kids snickered because they knew what I was talking about. 

The kid pulled out his phone (phones were ‘allowed’ in school at the time) and verified the information.  His jaw dropped in horror.  ‘Horror’ might be a strong word.  To me, Diane Lane still had it going on.  I mean, if I had the chance, I’d still…

Anyway, the kid retracted his lewd statement by repeating “No! No! No!” several times, and the rest of the class laughed at him.  I always remember that moment fondly because after that, the kid toned down his behavior a little.  He still caused problems, but it was more good-natured than malicious, so we got along.  It always helps if you get along with the students.

Plus, whenever I see Diane Lane in Superman vs. Batman, I think, “Yeah, I’d still….”

Never mind.

*****

For more Challenges in Teaching, see

Challenges in Teaching: Feeling Mediocre  and

Challenges in Teaching: Getting Students To Pronounce My Name Correctly  .

And here’s my one and only novel:

If you’re an average guy and a hot chick shows interest in you, WATCH OUT!!!

The Sunset Rises: A 1990s Romantic Comedy is now available on Amazon and from the trunk of my car!