Just Call Me Grandma

As an elementary music teacher, who sees almost 500 students a year, I've been compared to several cartoon characters and celebrities. 

 

But the 2024-25 school year was the first time I was ever compared to a grandma.

 

To be fair, I probably am older than some of these kids' grandparents, and I do have a few children of former students that I call my "grand-students." 

 

One day, my first grade class kept saying things like, “You look good today, Mrs. Duggan.” 

 

"I really like your shirt." 

 

"Me too." 

 

"That's a nice shirt." 

 

When this particular class was over, they lined up at my door, and one of the students said, “My grandma has that shirt.” 

 

Another student chimed in, “Yeah, I think my grandma does too.” 

 

 

That evening, I was at a rehearsal, and one of my (adult) friends commented that he liked my blouse.

 

"Thanks for not saying your grandma has one too," I said.

 

A couple of days later, I was running my air purifier because it was spring, and kids track in all kinds of allergens from recess. 

 

Also, they bring me dandelions All. Day. Long. 

 

“My grandmother has one of those,” one of my second graders said, pointing to my air purifier, and then he placed a bunch of dandelions on my desk.

 

My students don't always compare me to their grandmothers. Sometimes they sound like the grandparents.

 

When I jog with the kids’ running club, they complain constantly. 

 

It’s like, "I’m 48 years old, and I’m kicking your ass right now." (I don't phrase it that way exactly.)

"My back hurts," a third grader whined in class one afternoon.
 

"You sound like you're 65," I told him.

 

"You’re not 65," another boy said, winning me over completely. "You’re like 35."

 
"Well, thank you."

"You’re not tall enough to be 65." 
 

At one point during the school year, we had posted childhood pictures on a bulletin board, and the students were supposed to match the teacher to the picture.

 

One of my sixth graders saw my picture and guessed who I was right away. Apparently, I'm still somewhat recognizable in my old age.

 

"You still have the same hair," he said. 

In all honesty, I have aged quite a bit since COVID. 

 

But, man, I've earned these wrinkles!

 

And nobody, not even Botox, is going to take that away from me.

 

 

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