NERVOUS TEACHER, BIG HEARTH

Once upon a time, in the small town of Wordville, there was a brand-new English
teacher named Miss Wobbleton. She had just graduated from the prestigious
School of Language Arts and was thrilled to embark on her teaching journey.

However, Miss Wobbleton had a little secret: despite her impressive qualifications,
she had a tendency to get extremely nervous whenever her students asked basic
questions on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

On the first day of school, the classroom was buzzing with anticipation as the
students settled into their seats. Miss Wobbleton walked in, trying her best to
exude confidence.

“Good morning, class. I’m Miss Wobbleton, your new English teacher!” she said
with a shaky voice, trying to keep her nerves in check.

As the days went by, Miss Wobbleton tried her best to teach the class. She would
come prepared with detailed lesson plans and fun activities, but as soon as a
student asked a simple question, she would become flustered and turn beet red.
For example, one day, a student asked, “Miss Wobbleton, can you explain the
difference between “affect” with an A and “effect” with an E?”

“Uh, well, you see . . . it’s . . . it’s . . . oh dear, let me think for a moment,” she
stammered, clearly not at ease.

Word about Miss Wobbleton’s nervousness spread like wildfire through the school,
and some students couldn’t help but tease her. They would purposely ask the most
basic questions just to see her reaction. Despite this, the majority of the students
were understanding and empathetic. They could see the genuine passion she had
for teaching and knew that nerves could happen to anyone.

One day, a particularly difficult student named Ethan decided to put Miss
Wobbleton to the test. He raised his hand and asked, “Miss Wobbleton, what’s the
correct way to use the verbs, “lay” and “lie,” in a sentence?

The class held their breath, knowing that this question could be quite confusing for
many. Miss Wobbleton took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and said,
“Ah, an excellent question, Ethan! ‘Lay’ is a transitive verb, which means it requires
an object. It’s used when you put something down or place it in a resting position.

“For example, you could say, ‘I lay the book on the table.’ On the other hand, ‘lie’ is
an intransitive verb, which means it doesn’t require an object. It’s used when
someone or something reclines or is in a resting position without anything or
anyone acting upon it. Like ‘I lie down to take a nap.'”
The class erupted into applause, impressed by Miss Wobbleton’s ability to handle
such a tricky question with grace. Even Ethan couldn’t help but crack a smile,
realizing that she was indeed knowledgeable despite her nervousness.

Miss Wobbleton’s vulnerability and humility continued to earn the respect of her
students. They saw her as not just a teacher but also a fellow learner, someone
who was willing to face challenges head-on and grow from them.

As the school year progressed, Miss Wobbleton’s fear of answering questions

gradually faded away. She became more comfortable with herself and started to
embrace her imperfections. The students respected her even more because they
saw a teacher who was willing to learn and grow alongside them.

By the end of the year, the class had not only learned about grammar, vocabulary,
and pronunciation but also the importance of empathy and understanding.

Miss Wobbleton’s genuine passion for teaching, combined with her newfound
ability to laugh at herself, created a classroom environment where everyone felt
supported and encouraged. She was even awarded “Teacher of the Year” for her
efforts.

And so, in the heartwarming town of Wordville, Miss Wobbleton’s journey from a
nervous new teacher to a confident and beloved educator became a cherished
tale, passed down from one class to another, reminding everyone that even the
most uncertain beginnings could lead to the most beautiful transformations.

(ANALYZE AND INTERPRET) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH

YOUR OWN OPINION BASE ON THE STORY.

1. Analyze the theme of vulnerability and humility in the story. How does the
character of Miss Wobbleton exemplify these qualities, and how do they
contribute to her growth as an educator.__________________________

2. In what ways did Miss Wobbleton’s background and education from the
School of Language Arts contribute to her nervousness about answering
basic questions? Discuss the concept of imposter syndrome and how it
might have played a role in her initial struggles.____________________

3. Explore the impact of empathy and understanding in the classroom

environment. How did the majority of the students react to Miss Wobbleton’s
nervousness, and how did their reactions differ from those of the
mischievous student, Tim?______________________________________

4. Discuss the importance of a growth mindset in the context of teaching and

learning. How did Miss Wobbleton’s willingness to learn from her mistakes
influence her development as an effective teacher?___________________

5. Miss Wobbleton’s journey from a nervous new teacher to a confident and

beloved educator is depicted as a transformational tale. How can this story
 inspire and guide other educators facing similar challenges in their teaching
careers?_____________________________________________________

6. Reflect on the statement, “The best teachers are lifelong learners.” How
does this statement align with Miss Wobbleton’s experiences, and how can
teachers maintain a sense of curiosity and continuous growth in their
profession?_________________________________________________

LISTENING TO THE AUDIO AND CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER.

1. What was Miss Wobbleton’s secret despite her impressive qualifications?
a) She was a mischievous student.
b) She had a tendency to get nervous with basic questions.
c) She couldn’t remember her lesson plans.
d) She was not passionate about teaching.

2. How did Miss Wobbleton react when a student asked a difficult question?
a) She laughed it off and avoided answering.
b) She became flustered and turned beet red.
c) She confidently answered every question.
d) She ignored the question and changed the topic.

3. What did some students do when they found out about Miss Wobbleton’s
nervousness?
a) They teased her and asked difficult questions on purpose.
b) They offered to help her with her lesson plans.
c) They ignored her during the classes.
d) They praised her confidence and ability to answer any question.

4. What did Ethan, the difficult student, ask Miss Wobbleton to explain?
a) The difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re.”
b) The correct way to use “lay” and “lie.”
c) How to pronounce difficult vocabulary words.
d) The past tense of the verb “run.”

5. How did Miss Wobbleton handle Ethan’s question?

a) She avoided answering the question.
b) She asked another student to answer the question.
c) She confidently explained the question with clear examples.
d) She pretended not to know the answer.

WRITING
“My Transformational Journey” Essay: Ask students to write a personal
reflection on their own transformational journeys in learning. Using Introducing,
developing and ending. Encourage them to share experiences of facing
challenges, overcoming obstacles, and how those experiences have shaped
 them as learners. Students can draw parallels between their own stories and
Miss Wobbleton’s transformation throughout the school year.

W The Art of Customer Support: Turning Challenges into Solutions.

There once was a quirky call center employee named Max, and he had a
reputation for his cheerful demeanor, but today, he was about to face a customer
like no other.

Ring! Ring! The phone jolted Max out of his daydreams. He picked up the call with
his usual charm, “Hello! You’ve reached the tech-tastic support team. I’m Max,
and I’m here to make your day better. How may I help you?”

On the other end, a frustrated voice erupted, “My day couldn’t be worse, and I
don’t need your chipper attitude!” The customer, Mrs. Jenkins, had ordered a
computer and received it in a disastrous condition.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that! Let’s get this sorted out right away,” Max replied,
trying to keep his positivity intact.

Mrs. Jenkins described the computer’s lamentable state, listing off a series of
damages that even a tornado would envy. Max could practically picture the poor
laptop’s woeful expression.

“That sounds like a catastrophe!” Max exclaimed, suppressing a laugh. “I assure

you, we’ll take care of it. Can you please provide your order number?”

As Mrs. Jenkins struggled to find the order number, Max heard crashing sounds in
the background. “Um, ma’am, is everything alright over there?” he inquired,
curiosity piqued.

“Everything’s falling apart just like this computer!” she grumbled, finally giving
Max the order number.

Max checked the order details and noticed that Mrs. Jenkins had opted for
express shipping. He couldn’t resist a joke, “I guess your computer took the
‘express’ shipping too seriously! It couldn’t wait to meet you.”

Mrs. Jenkins chuckled despite her frustration. “Well, it arrived with a bang, that’s
for sure.”
“I’m glad we could find some humor in this,” Max said, happy to have eased the
tension slightly. “Now, let’s arrange the return of the computer. We’ll have a
courier pick it up, and you’ll get a full refund or a replacement, whichever you
prefer.”

“Okay, but I want a new one, and I want it to arrive in one piece!” she insisted.

“Absolutely, ma’am! I’ll make sure it’s wrapped like a mummy in bubble wrap,”
Max reassured her.

As he processed the return request, Mrs. Jenkins couldn’t help but smile at Max’s
absurd humor. The call took a comical turn as Max narrated an imaginary
adventure of her computer’s return journey, complete with a wild joyride on a
delivery truck.

Eventually, the return process was complete, and Mrs. Jenkins was finally
satisfied. “You know, Max, you’ve managed to turn my frustration into
amusement. Thanks for that,” she said genuinely.

“My pleasure! Remember, laughter is the best tech-support medicine,” Max

replied with a grin.

What began as a tense call turned into a lighthearted, humorous interaction

between Max and Mrs. Jenkins. From that day on, Max became known as the call
center’s “Comedy Customer Care Specialist,” bringing laughter to customers and
colleagues alike.

And so, the lesson we learn from the story is that even in the midst of tense
moments, a little humor can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.

(ANALYZE AND INTERPRET) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH

YOUR OWN OPINION BASE ON THE STORY.

1. Analyze the role of humor in customer service interactions. How can humor
be both beneficial and risky in such situations? Provide examples of when
humor might be appropriate and when it might be best to avoid it.________
2. Reflect on Max’s customer service skills and his ability to handle
challenging situations. What other qualities besides humor do you think
make him effective in his role as a call center employee?
_______________________

3. Discuss the psychological impact of humor in stressful situations. How can

humor help reduce tension and build rapport between customer service
representatives and customers?_________________________________
 4. In the story, Mrs. Jenkins appreciated Max’s humor despite her frustration.
Why do you think a positive customer experience is essential, even when
dealing with problems like receiving damaged goods? How can a positive
experience impact a customer’s loyalty to a company?_______________

5. Role-play a different scenario where a customer is facing a significant issue

with a product, but the customer service representative does not handle
the situation effectively. What could have been done differently to turn this
negative experience into a positive one, similar to Max’s interaction with
Mrs. Jenkins?_________________________________________________

LISTENING TO THE AUDIO AND CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER.

1. What is the main problem the customer, Mrs. Jenkins, is facing?
A) Her computer arrived damaged.
B) She received the wrong color computer.
C) Her computer is missing some accessories.
D) Her computer is too slow.
2. How does Max, the call center employee, respond to Mrs. Jenkins' frustration?
A) He tries to keep his positivity and humor intact.
B) He offers a full refund without asking questions.
C) He transfers her call to a different department.
D) He dismisses her complaints.
3. Why does Mrs. Jenkins find Max’s humor amusing despite her frustration?
A) She appreciates his attempts to distract her from the problem.
B) She is a fan of stand-up comedy and recognizes Max’s talent.
C) She thinks the situation is genuinely hilarious.
D) She finds his humor offensive but laughs to be polite.
4. What options does Max provide to resolve Mrs. Jenkins’ issue with the damaged
computer?
A) A coupon for a future order
B) A discount on her next purchase
C) A complimentary accessory for her computer
d) A full refund or a replacement computer
5. How does Max earn the nickname “Comedy Customer Care Specialist”?
A) He incorporates humor into his customer interactions.
B) He is always cracking jokes at the expense of customers.
C) He participates in comedy clubs during his free time.
D)He plays pranks on his colleagues at the call center.
6. What was the ultimate lesson Felix learned through his journey in the story?
A) Never switch majors in college.
B) Engineering is the best career choice.
C) One should study in their home country.
D) Following ones passions lead to fulfillment
D)
Following one’s passion leads to fulfillment.
1. WRITING Write a Letter to Max As a final activity, have the students
write a letter to Max, expressing their thoughts about his approach to
customer service and how his humor positively impacted the customer’s
experience. They can also share personal anecdotes related to humorous
customer service interactions they’ve had. Collect the letters and mail them
to a fictional address for Max at the call center if possible. It’s a fun way to
reinforce the themes of the story and show appreciation for exceptional
customer service.

lowing one’s g one’s passion leads to fulfillment.

Acting vs. Waiting: Can Jenny Handle Both?
Following one’s passion leads to fulfillment.
Jenny always wanted to become an actress, and she joined a famous acting
school in town to start off her career. But soon, she realized that acting was like a
balancing act. She had to learn the basic acting skills while also juggling her
part-time job at a fancy restaurant.

Jenny was originally from a small town and didn’t know much about the big city.
One day, while working at the restaurant, a high-and-mighty customer ordered a
dish that Jenny had never heard of before. She didn’t want to look dumb, so
she pretended to know what it was and wrote it down.

As she was serving the dish to the customer, she realized that she had messed it
up. The customer got angry and said, “Don’t you know how to do your job?”

Jenny felt embarrassed but tried to stay calm. She knew that being an actress
was tough, but she never thought that her part-time job would be too. She
continued to work hard and rehearse her lines every day.

One day, while in class, her phone rang. It was her boss asking her to come to
work immediately. Jenny knew that it was going to be tough, but she couldn’t say
no.

When she arrived at the restaurant, the same high-and-mighty customer from
before was there. The customer sneered at her and said, “What are you doing
here? I thought you were a fancy actress.”

Jenny smiled and replied, “Yes, but being a waitress is just another form of acting.
It’s all about balancing the needs of the customers with my own needs.”
The customer looked surprised but didn’t say anything else. In the end, Jenny
managed to pull off the balancing act, both at acting school and at her part-time
job. She knew that being an actress was going to be tough, but she was
determined to make it work.

(ANALYZE AND INTERPRET) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH

YOUR OWN OPINION BASE ON THE STORY.

1. How do you think the customer would have reacted if Jenny had been
honest and admitted she didn’t know the dish he ordered?_____________
2. Do you think it’s ethical for a boss to call an employee during class and
expect them to come to work immediately?_________________________
3. What do you think the high-and-mighty customer meant when he said,
“What are you doing here? I thought you were an actress”?_____________

LISTENING TO THE AUDIO AND CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER.

1. Why did Jenny pretend to know the dish the customer ordered at the restaurant?
A) She thought it was a fun game.
B) She didn’t care about her job.
C) She was too shy to ask.
D) She didn’t want to look dumb.
2. How did the customer react when Jenny served the wrong dish?
A) He got angry.
B) He said nothing.
C) He laughed.
D) He left the restaurant.
3. What did Jenny do when her boss called her to work while she was in class?
A) She left class immediately
B) She went to work
C) She ignored the call
D) She refused to go to work
4. What did the high-and-mighty customer say to Jenny when she arrived at work?
A) “I need to speak to your manager.”
B) “What are you doing here? I thought you were an actress.”
C) “You’re late!”
D) “You’re fired!”
5. What did Jenny say to the customer when he questioned her about her job at the
restaurant?
A) “Being a waitress is just another form of acting.”
B) “I’m not really an actress.”
C) “I quit acting school.”
D) “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“
WRITING, Critical Analysis: Ask students to write a critical analysis of the
story, focusing on themes, character development, and plot structure.
Introducing, developing and closing. Encourage them to identify the author’s
message and consider the story’s impact on the reader.