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In recognition of upcoming Mother’s Day, we asked, “Tell us about a funny time that a student called you ‘mom.’”
This is a regular event in my class. We have a running tally.
Oh no … reset the count today… lol.
Kimberley Clarke
I teach eighth grade. One of my students came from the Philippines earlier in the year and was learning how to speak English. At the end of the day when I said goodbye to the kids, this student yelled, “Bye, mom!”, which I assumed was accidental.
But day after day, he continued to call me mom. Finally, I asked him why.
And he said it was because I looked after them and cared about them, just like his mom did at home. He said, in his limited English, that he had a home mom and a school mom, and that it made him feel taken care of.
I’ve never been more proud to be a teacher than I was in that moment.
And now my entire homeroom calls me mom.
Lisa Tangen
Grade 12 social studies during remote teaching, I had one 17-year-old boy say “have a good day momma” at the end of every Google Meet class. When I finally asked him why, he said it was because I always say they are all my kids. Still warms my heart that every group I teach becomes a family.
Tara Lee Whittaker
Not quite mom: One of my kinder students last year one time looked at me, opened his mouth, then paused. He smiled and said “I almost called you grandad!” I was 24 at the time.
Kiara Biasini
I’m a female elementary teacher and I was once called “dad” when I taught Grade 1 a few years ago. The look on their face after realizing what they had said was priceless, and the whole class burst into laughter!
Lori James
Every time a Div 1 student has said “Mom can I have a hug?” I have been thrown up on. Every time. Three times.
Loralee Martin
I had a Grade 1 student slip and call me mom. We both laughed, then she said, “well, if you married my dad, I would call you mom.” Again we chuckled. Then in a moment of seriousness she said, “I could introduce you to my dad you know. I think you two would get along.”
Stacey Sharp
I teach Grade 4 and one year a student slipped and called me grandma. Six years later it was still a running joke between us, and she surprised me with a gift and Happy Mother’s Day Grandma greeting card. Then when she graduated Grade 12 last year, I repaid the gesture with a gift and Happy Graduation Granddaughter card. It most definitely was a special bond, and I still enjoy our visits!
Kristin Presley
As an elementary teacher in my 40s, I was used to being called mom and thought it was quite sweet. When a young boy called me grandpa I was not so amused.
Linda Kayser Flanagan
I accidentally got called “mom” a few weeks ago. I’m a male high school math teacher.
Jeff Scott
Years ago, I had a junior high student slip up and call me mom, only to decide it was perfectly fitting. From then on, the group officially named me “Momma S” because they recognized me as their “mom” at school. I so loved this special title!
Sarah J.
