Where are you from?

Today we had an information night for Kindergarten Parents.  At our school, parents have the decision after kindergarten to choose the French Immersion Program (kids are taught in French 1/2 the day) or the Traditional program.  I teach on the traditional side because I don't speak French.

Now, to give you some background on my team...I am really the only one without an accent.  Simon is from the UK, Valerie is from Canada (and sounds like a French Canadian) and Suzanne is from Canada.  She doesn't have that strong of an accent, but they are all from a different country.  I am the only one on the team who is an American, and I am the only one who can vote.

So, after the meeting a parent comes up to us and looks at me.  I figure she is going to ask me, "When is your baby due? Are you coming back to teach here next year? etc."  You know, things that many kindergarten parents have on their mind.

She doesn't ask that, she asks, "Where are you from?"  I wanted to respond, "America" because of all the years I have been teaching at AIES I have NEVER been asked where I was from...People usually ask Simon and Valerie where they are from...Not me.

I told her, "Michigan" and she said, "You have an accent just like my friend from Chicago!"  So, I guess my roots still are in Michigan and even though I haven't lived there for several years, people can still tell where I am from :)