I was sitting at a table, across from my teaching partner, grading projects. We were both feeling happy – the quality of the work was great and we’d ooh and ah when we came across a particularly beautiful piece of work. As I turned from an assignment to the rubric that was stapled on the back. Something brown jumped.
I slammed the top sheet down.
Was that a flea?
I lifted the corner and it jumped again. Definitely a flea. I slapped the paper back down and wondered for a moment, Did Lucy have fleas?
I stilled and thought carefully. The papers had been turned in on Friday and I had not brought them home. Lucy had received her monthly flea/heartworm medication last week and there had been no signs of fleas before or since. No, this flea was not from my house. I relaxed.
Then, I thumped the papers a few more times before looking over the work. I carefully lifted the top page to fill out the rubric – and to ensure the flea had been crushed. It had been and it left no mark on the rubric.
booksandbassets 
What an experience! I would have been more likely to find a cockroach, even a small one, and I’m glad I never did. You acted quickly, and alertly, and I’m glad you were able to assure yourself it wasn’t your home or your dog that was the source. The school? Is that something you’d report to your principal? Or would you keep it quiet?
I think it probably came from the student’s home.
Once I had a student slap her arm in class. A bug had been crawling on her. Everyone freaked out a bit and she said, “It’s just a bed bug! Why are you guys making such a big deal out of it!” LOL Occupational hazard indeed.
So gross!
Another thing they don’t teach you about in college. Glad you didn’t take it home with you.