You almost definitely remember Joe Dombrowski, the openly gay teacher in Royal Oak, Michigan who decided to treat his class to an early April Fool’s Day gag.
During an impromptu spelling quiz, Dombrowski included completely made-up words, taken in part from RuPaul‘s Drag Race.
Related: Read the “shocking” interview Ellen gave 20 years ago: “Yep, I’m Gay”
Case in point: “Ro-laska-tox,” which left the class collectively scratching their heads, especially after he used it in a sentence:
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“Ro-laska-tox were surprised when Jinkx took the crown. If you didn’t get the hypens, I’m sorry — you did not get the word.”
Once his pupils were sufficiently mystified, he revealed it was all a delicious game; a romp; an April Fool’s gag.
Well, Ellen was clearly quite tickled by all this mischief, so she invited him onto her show to give him a taste of his own medicine: a spelling bee and a few scurrilous surprises.
Take a look:
Lvng1Tor
He is adorable!
brucebruce836
That is awesome!! Such a great philosophy he has on teaching. I’m glad that Ellen had him on her show and surprised him with that money. Great job Joe!! And yes he is a cutie!
jjim2000
Ellen this is why we love you so much. Joe, If I you were my teacher growing up, I’m not sure how I could concentrate. You are amazing, and your approach to learning and teaching is a breath of fresh air. Big Hugs. #adaircoiowaGLBTresourcecenter
Hillers
Totally in love with him. Perfect marriage material. ?
Chookey43
Ellen is the best. What a great teacher Joe is and he is an absolute dream.
silveroracle
Aw that was so sweet.
Love Ellen.
Joe is so adorable.
Kris
Hilarious!!! I wish I had a teacher like that 🙂
vonric
what an unabashed cutie….. sweet guy, determined and dedicated educator…
salumbre
Earth to Klingon: Your universal translator is broken.
dinard38
Adorable.
I have mad respect for teachers who are creative with their teaching style in a way that the students learn but also have fun.
nitejonboy
Man I would have loved to have had a gorgeous teacher like that back in school….And Ellen, there will be a special place in Heaven for you for all you do for people.
STAMBOUL
salumbre, have you considered the possibility that your concept of language could be too narrow?
Lvng1Tor
@STAMBOUL no, it’s obvious that @arcoarconcio_passivy is, more than likely, using a translator and that it isn’t doing a very good job. Perhaps someone like you, with your broad knowledge of language, could help him to see this and make his attempts to join the conversation in English less futile. Either that or encourage @arcoarconcio_passivy to write in his first language and others can use their translators to communicate with him.
In any case @Salumbre was trying to let him know even if you didn’t get his humor. Although I’ve translated some of the above and really don’t get his connection to this or most articles commented on.
GayEGO
Love this guy and thanks to Ellen for inviting him to her show.
STAMBOUL
@Lvng1Tor. No, it is not obvious to me that he is using a translator. Would a translator, even a bad one, spell Loook and Schoool with three o’s? And could the word Kkkkk even be found in any translator?
I was thinking that this could could be a case of agraphia or something like it. If it is, he is a brave man. It is not the first time people here has felt the need to tell him that something is wrong with him, but I don’t understand why. What harm does he do? I enjoy reading his posts. There is an urgency behind them and the way sentences and words are constructed is in itself a marvel. If he is using a translator I would like to know which one so I, too, can get one. Anyway, have you read “Finnegan’s Wake”?
BearCityGreg
Cocaíne liberty? You can get in big trouble for that, Gürrr.
bigbeat52
I’ve been watching Ellen since the beginning and I don’t think i’ve ever seen Rupaul on her show. Am I wrong? If so, when?