As a teacher, you deal with a lot of small discipline issues throughout the day. Most of the small things occur when boys are acting like...well...little boys. Pushing, shouting, numerous interruptions. I understand that 9 year olds aren't as capable at self-monitoring as I am, so I usually take it with a grain of salt.

As a result, however, sometimes I go an entire day without even really acknowledging the small group of really quiet girls that are always completing their assignments, being respectful of others, and helping their partners understand new concepts. One of my students this year, in particular, reminds me of my third-grade-self so much that it is a little disarming.

She never leaves school without a book under her wing. She practices her cursive C's to hopefully inject a little flair into an otherwise boring cursive letter. She is shy, tries to blend in, and only laughs after checking if it is ok with the teacher.

It's weird. You never really imagine that you will one day end up teaching your carbon copy. I want to tell her to quit being so serious, but that would never work.