My last name earns me street cred.

And of course because this is Texas...


If you can sing the theme music to Reading Rainbow or attended a public school in the state of Texas between 1980-2000, chances are you've heard of the "Miss Nelson" book series. Written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall, these books follow the students of Room 207... the 'worst behaved kids in school.' (a.k.a., the 5th graders in my music class today.)

Well, it never fails... when I mutter the words, "My name is Ms. Nelson and I am your substitute teacher today," at least one kids says (or more likely, yells) "Miss Nelson is Missing!"

The first time this happened I said, "Yes, like the book," and moved on. But since then I have learned to use my last name to my advantage.

For example, I never say that I am Miss Nelson (because, really, I am waaaaay past the point of 'Miss.') Instead I pin it on my mother. Sorry mom.

[me:] "No, I am not Miss Nelson. My mother is the real Miss Nelson. She has been a teacher for almost 40 years!"
[class:] "Woooooooooooooow."
[student 1] "My dad is 40."
[student 2] "Does your mom have a sister?"

See, the kids want to know if my mom has a sister because they think the mean substitute teacher, Viola Swamp, is Miss Nelson's sister.

Who's been teaching these kids? Us HEB ISD kids know that Nelson and Swamp are one in the same:

viola swamp / miss nelson

Still, when it comes to the little ones, I will take anything I can get... even if means I have to fib about my momma.

Oh, and if you need a refresher: