Are You Homeless?

The other day I mentioned to my 5th graders that I don't live in my house. It must have had something to do with our lesson, or so I hope. One girl piped up, "Ms. Vance, are you homeless?" I ignored the "Ms." for the millionth time, since some can't remember that I'm married or are used to calling all women "Ms." Instead, I quickly replied, "No, I live in an apartment. Don't worry." Worry I did, though, about her quick assumption. I wonder if she had been homeless, which I suspect, and if so for how long. I know that most of my students don't come from the most advantageous backgrounds. Their parents either work hard, long hours on second or third shift, or they are on welfare. Most live in a single parent household and others have had a parent in jail. It makes me grateful of the life that I had growing up and painfully aware of the limitations I have as their teacher.