Jenny From the Block - High School Style

I have to tell everyone about one of my students. I have been wanting to do a post for a while about my World Civilizations class - but haven't found the best topics and was worried I would just end up screaming or cutting an important vein in my body.

But after talking with my coworkers today I had come across a perfect topic. It is the end of the semester and most of the kids are switching to other teachers. Honestly - I couldn't be happier. Makes you start to wonder what some of your teachers thought of you. Hmmm... Anyway there is a student of mine that is one of those larger than life personalities. One that all the teachers who know her laughs and has a story the moment you bring up her name. Due to the uncanny persona that Jennifer Lopez and the student shares we have nicknamed her Jenny from the block (JFTB). I will keep her real name anonymous because I don't want to be fired....wait a minute - maybe I'll tell you her name. No. I want to go out with a bigger bang than that.

Anyway Jenny from the block is a student with more attitude than someone twice her size and age. She wears tight pants a puffy coat which is a bit short. The coat has some fur-like substance spewing out of the hood. She is a Latina Hoochie who walks around like she is the 16 year old gift to the world of men. She is totally disinterested in school and reminds you of this with an occasional grunt of disgust. She remains clueless to what happened about five minutes prior - or at least acts that way. She carries with her an attitude that she is from California and can't believe she has to be here in Utah with these types.

Anyway I can't be too mean to her because she does translate to my Spanish-only speaking student. But in return she has yet to remember my name - EVER. She will call me by saying "Mr....." and then trail off like she can't remember. I will respond by saying "Clark!" Loud and abruptly. I'm glad I've made an impact on her life the last five months I've known her. So now that I have set her up a bit let me tell you of a quips concerning our own Jenny From the Block.

The other day class had just started. I was talking to the class and up she popped from her seat and walked past me. She said "I have to go." I'm like "okay - why?" She said, "My mom is here, I have to go..." and she walked out the door. I was like okay. There was no one standing at the door...but she was gone. JFTB does as she pleases when she pleases.

In any instance where she feels slighted or feels the air of slightation she will call someone "racist." She has made one teacher at our school cry by calling her just that. JFTB says what she wants to say.

One day in Kristin's class she was absent. When Kristin asked her students if anyone knew where she was - they said she had gone to Compton....come to find out that is where she is from. That alone says SO much. On wikipedia it lists "crime" as the second topic about Compton and it says in 2006 it was rated the most dangerous area in the United States. Denise also told Shannon L. that she went to school there. She got kicked out and that is why she is here. Oh great. JFTB grew up in the rough part of town - it has toughened her up.

Today was blackout day - meaning everyone was to wear black - particularly for the game tonight. So most students are wearing black today. Kristin was in her room when in trounces JFTB. Wearing all white. Head to toe. She asks if she can talk to Kristin and she responds by saying, "I'm very busy, but I will break to make fun of your outfit." JFTB says that she wanted to stand out and be different. Well she did that. JFTB is her own woman and ain't no one going to tell her dif'rent (snap to the right, left, right when saying that).

She was with a friend today going into Shannon L's class and they were asking Shannon L. about where she lived and made fun by asking if anyone was shot there recently (Shannon L. lives in Glendale - SLC). JFTB piped up and said - "Oh my boyfriend lives there!" JFTB knows where to find her kind.

JFTB is an avid Oakland Raiders and LA Dodgers fan. She even stood up in Kristin's class to sing a song about it. JFTB supports her peeps.


And finally one of the best things was today after she walked into Kristin's class white as a new bride on her wedding day talking to Kristin she opened up a bag with scores of CD's. She told Kristin that she wanted to talk to her about having the DJ play these CD's at the stomp tonight so she can have a good party. She assured her that she had edited out all the swear words. Kristin said she needed to talk to the DJ if she wanted to do that. She assured Kristin that she had it covered. Thanks JFTB. You always make our day. JFTB knows her music. Anything with a good beat or a latina flare has her ear.



JFTB is a spot of latina spice in a sea of white Mormon - a perfect combination. Good news is despite the shifting of students this semester I get to have Denise for another two terms. There will be more stories, I'm sure.


UPDATE: Just moments ago JFTB was seen outside Shannon M.'s room (it was Shannon M's first JFTB sighting). A teacher walked out and said to her "there's my homie!" to her. She responded (and say with a latina hoochie voice because it makes it funnier) - "since I am your homie can I have an A?" He shrugged it off and then she said "you know Kylie - who is also in your class with me - she's right over there" she points "well...she wants to fight me!" JFTB is a homie to her homies but a fighter when she needs to be.