A Kindergarten Teacher Blogs About Getting a Part-time Job to Supplement My Teaching Salary

As a  beginning teacher, I remember that I didn't make much money. Since my husband was in graduate school, I decided to work at a local department store over the Christmas holidays one year to supplement our income. I remember being assigned to work in  the gift wrapping department which featured long lines of harried shoppers eager to get their purchases wrapped so they could go home.

One afternoon, I saw one of my kindergarten students and her mother standing in the back of my line. The child's mother was a beautiful woman who was very involved in various community organizations. It was evident that she always took great pains with her appearance.  My little student cheerfully waved at me as she and her mother moved closer and closer to the front of my line. When there was only one person standing in front of them, she proudly announced to me "Guess what Mrs. B! I have head lice." When I looked up after finishing the package of the person in front of them, they were gone! I caught a glimpse of the mother pulling the child by the arm through the nearest store exit. I guess she decided to wrap the presents herself.