Yesterday's Lower School assembly was infused with comedy from an unlikely source.
Joe Tyler, math teacher and assistant principal is a no-nonsense kind of guy. But, yesterday, he surprised the kids with a little tomfoolery.
In orientation, when Mr. Tyler was explaining the new demerit system, Mr. Smythe made a plea on Mr. Tyler's behalf. Mr. Smythe pointed out that student misconduct forces Mr. Tyler to be at school very early on Saturday morning, and that students needed to behave themselves or Mr. Tyler might not ever be able to go out on a Friday night date. "Gentlemen, Mr. Tyler needs to go out on a date once in a while," Smythe added.
Well, yesterday, during Mr. Tyler's usual booming assembly announcements, his cell phone rang.
[Murmuring]
The thought of Mr. Tyler having a cell phone and its ringing, when Mr. Tyler works so hard to make sure that student phones don't ring, made several students chuckle.
Mr. Tyler then answered the phone.
[Collective Gasp!]
The thought that Mr. Tyler would interrupt himself to answer a call was nearly unthinkable. Who could be calling that was so important? Mr. Haguewood?
"Hello...Oh...Hi Candy! It's good to hear from you. Yes, I am free this Friday night..."
[Thunderous laughter]
"...There were no demerits this week, so I don't have to be at school on Saturday morning. I'll see you tomorrow night..."
[Standing ovation]
Yes, it was fiction.
And it showed the boys that even the disciplined Mr. Tyler can occasionally have a little fun.