Breaking News: Atheism is uncool

[Fireball]

He really gets it. And all too often, the culture among teens, especially in High school, actively discourages showing excitement about anything other
than the officially sanctioned sports (the sports part is only in the US, but the general sentiment is true for German schools).

My students sometimes chuckle when I wax poetic about the universe or some such thing, but in the end, they get it - at least some get it.  
I had a math class that I thought was completely hopeless and devoid of curiosity, just going through the motions. I wasn't quite sure whether I should, but
I started to tell them about dark matter and black holes. Suddenly one girl who always got straight Fs, and always acted too cool to even try,
her eyes lit up, and she began to tell me about what she heard about other stars and galaxies, and a discussion ensued whether there is life elsewhere.
I thought fuck me, this is awesome, I didn't know they had it in them.

That kind of thing warmed the deepest, coldest cockles of my reptilian heart, when it happened in class. Those are moments to treasure, along with having a student ask a question that makes sense, as it means they are "getting it".

When I taught math and physics at a private school (no credential), one "pre-calculus" class resisted mightily. It was painful. I babied them along, until we got to logarithms and exponentials. One of the girls told the class that her brother said they were important, and they got all over that topic. This was about half way through the year. I not-so-politely explained that they could use peer referral for what might be considered important in their mathematical education, but the fact was, all of it is useful, and I've even been showing you folks applications. It was a Waldorf school (didn't buy the philosophy, and made no bones about it), and I was looking for a return to aerospace/engineering clandestinely, when one of the other teachers showed me that my position was advertised in the local paper and asked if I was leaving. I said, "I guess I am, now."   I really liked teaching, and I may sell some of my time to the local school district. I've a lot on my plate, even though I'm retired, so we'll have to see. I wouldn't want to do it full time, now.

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Busted in a moment, bud. Wimmen like to bust yer chops...

This one sure does!

Gosh, I love her.

You two are an item? I sort of got the gist.