<o:p></o:p>How would I like to come in as President Bush and speak to seven consecutive classes of slobbery stinky seventh graders at a “Teach-in”? I remember seventh grade. Scary prospect to say the least. I actually HAVE a thirteen year old, my son Jonathan. Kids his age are fidgety, bored, and they have the attention span of a marble.
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What would I talk about? How would I keep them engaged for a whole period? Could I last through seven periods? Would they all be disrespectful Bush Bashers? Suddenly I had a great new respect for my friend Dave who faces this each and every day!
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Sure, I’d love to.
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Actually, this was my third time subjecting myself to this mayhem, as my friend has asked me to be his guest teacher every year since I’ve been impersonating President Bush.
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We actually had a fantastic time. During each period, Dave introduced me as “The President,” and I shared comedy and a little science with the kids as GW. I brought my McPherson guitar, and shared a song or two with each class, which gave me the chance to talk about sound waves (my science contribution). I then stepped out of character, and talked about opportunity to overcome obstacles and live your dreams. The kids were very attentive, well behaved, mostly articulate, and we really had a blast together.
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Yesterday my buddy Dave handed me over fifty letters of thanks from the students. The love expressed in those letters made every moment of trepidation worth the investment.
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In her precious broken English, a young Vietnamese student wrote her thanks and asked me to return and “Bring me some picture.” She showed her friends the autographed picture I gave her and her friends all wanted one. She loved the music and asked me to bring more songs when I come back. In bold letters, colored with orange designs, she wrote, PLEASE COME BACK!

I will.