North Carolina graduates blown away when commencement speaker pledges to pay off their senior-year debt

1. Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Teachers and College Professors Have Heard Every Excuse in the Book

This article is a lighthearted collection of unbelievable (but true!) excuses students have given for being late or missing work. It started with a Reddit thread asking teachers to share their experiences.

The stories range from the mundane (dog ate homework) to the truly bizarre (bus exploding, being attacked by a chicken, a bear in the backyard). The article emphasizes how, after years of hearing excuses, teachers are often skeptical, but sometimes the unbelievable turns out to be true. It's a fun read highlighting the creativity (and occasionally the chaos) of student life.

Key takeaway: Students have incredibly creative (and sometimes legitimate) excuses for being late or missing work.

2. When Literal Award-Winning Educators Like Allen Are Walking Away, It’s Clear Something More Needs to Be Done

This is a very short snippet attached to the end of the first article. It hints at a larger issue – the challenging conditions faced by educators, as evidenced by award-winning teachers leaving the profession. It's a call for addressing the problems within the education system that are driving good teachers away.

Key takeaway: The departure of experienced and respected teachers signals deeper issues within the education system.

3. Revenge of the Torque Wrench (and other 17 excuses)

This is the bulk of the first article, listing 17 verified excuses for tardiness. The excuses are detailed and humorous, showcasing the unexpected events that can disrupt a student's commute to school.

Key takeaway: A compilation of 17 verified excuses for tardiness, ranging from the mundane to the bizarre.