Mr. R.’s World of Math

So here’s a story you’re probably not gonna’ believe, but it’s true. I promise you! At least I remember it happening…
It was a long time ago, when I was teaching in a school that was a bit strange, and a bit peculiar (but not nearly as peculiar and strange as the school you’re in right now!)

As I remember, it was a cold, dark morning, and I came into my classroom like I always did. Everything was perfectly normal and there was no way I could have imagined what was going to happen to me and my students that very strange day.

I was writing on the smartboard when my students began to file in and I welcomed them to another exciting day of learning in 5th grade.
“I don’t know, Mr. R., are you sure it’s gonna’ be exciting?” asked Jenna, “Things have been sort of the opposite of exciting at school lately.”
“That’s for sure,” agreed Jake, “I thought watching grass growing was boring.”
“Come on guys,” I said, “a positive learning attitude would be appreciated. I work hard to plan exciting activities.”
“Yeah, well nothing too exciting has happened in this class recently,” complained Jake, “unless you call spelling quizzes exciting.”
“Enough already,” I said before I reminded Karl to go pick-up the snack in the cafeteria.
“OK,” smiled Karl as he got up and walked out of the classroom.
While Karl walked out, we all heard the sound of a basketball being dribbled on the floor. Zander walked into the room as he dribbled the ball.
“Zander, can you try coming in again, this time without dribbling?” I asked.
“Oh come on, Mr. R., I’m just working on my skills. I promise I’ll thank you after I play my first NBA game. I’m like Michael, LeBron, and Giannis all wrapped into one!” bragged Zander.
“I think you should be worrying about getting through 4th grade before you head off to the NBA. Now go back, and let’s try entering the room without the bouncing ball.”
“Sheesh, Mr. R., I was just practicing what I gotta’ practice,” complained Zander as he walked back out of the classroom. I waited for him to come back in, but he didn’t.
“What happened to Zander?” asked Carlos.
“Just give him a second,” I said. But an entire minute passed and there was still no sign of Zander.

If Zander took 57 minutes to come back into the room (which he didn’t), how many seconds would we have waited?