Sherwood Middle School students are very conflicted with the relationship between Mr. Bowman, 8th grade teacher, and Mr. Mantalas, 7th grade teacher. Try and imagine meeting a middle school acquaintance 25 years later, at your job. They literally went to school together and didn't realize it. Now, they are trying to figure out what their friendship means to them. Bowman is like that kid that wants to be cool; but, ends up bringing his teddy bear to school everyday. When Mantalas tries too hard to be Bowman’s friend, it sometimes feels like he’s trying to entice Bowman. Bowman needs to pick a side and stick to it. Bowman is always discussing their friendship, and it ends up feeling like an on-again off-again relationship.
Mantalas really wants …show more content…
Bowman claims that Mantalas has even tried to pay him to be his friend, and Bowman is trying to teach him that that’s just not how it works. Mantalas is working very hard to make this friendship work out. Bowman thinks Mantalas is too desperate at times. On Mantalas side though, he just wants a BFF. It’s not always easy for him to make friends all the time. Bowman just wants Mr. Mantalas to know that friendship is something you earn, and that it has no money value.
Every day, the battle continues. Especially two days ago. Mr. Bowman showed up at Sherwood Middle School with a pumpkin spice latte in his cold hands. Mantalas had bought Bowman and himself matching drinks. One student noted that Mr. Mantalas kept hugging Bowman all day. Then, another student challenged him about his friendship. Bowman commented that he and Mantalas were closer than two peas in a pod.
Once again, they are just co-workers. Maybe someday in the future, it will work out. Many students really hope it will. For now, Mantalas is back up to his lonely bribing. He is very frustrated with Bowman right now though, because Bowman can’t make up his mind. Bowman is in quite a predicament too. He appreciates everything Mr. Mantalas has done for him, but he doesn’t know if he can keep up with this kind of commitment. Maybe next time, Bowman will decide that Mantalas is the last piece of pizza and he needs to take it if he wants
Mantalas really wants …show more content…
Bowman claims that Mantalas has even tried to pay him to be his friend, and Bowman is trying to teach him that that’s just not how it works. Mantalas is working very hard to make this friendship work out. Bowman thinks Mantalas is too desperate at times. On Mantalas side though, he just wants a BFF. It’s not always easy for him to make friends all the time. Bowman just wants Mr. Mantalas to know that friendship is something you earn, and that it has no money value.
Every day, the battle continues. Especially two days ago. Mr. Bowman showed up at Sherwood Middle School with a pumpkin spice latte in his cold hands. Mantalas had bought Bowman and himself matching drinks. One student noted that Mr. Mantalas kept hugging Bowman all day. Then, another student challenged him about his friendship. Bowman commented that he and Mantalas were closer than two peas in a pod.
Once again, they are just co-workers. Maybe someday in the future, it will work out. Many students really hope it will. For now, Mantalas is back up to his lonely bribing. He is very frustrated with Bowman right now though, because Bowman can’t make up his mind. Bowman is in quite a predicament too. He appreciates everything Mr. Mantalas has done for him, but he doesn’t know if he can keep up with this kind of commitment. Maybe next time, Bowman will decide that Mantalas is the last piece of pizza and he needs to take it if he wants