March 6, 2009
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1 It's probably to late to correct the fact that in yesterday's DN I wrote, "It's probably to late..."
2 It's "too late", not "to late".
3 Yeesh.
4 I've been keeping the DN going pretty well, but I have noticed some gross errors lately.
5 I thank it's due to my complete lack of chocolate.
6 It's been at LEAST a day or so.
7 Yeesh.
8 Moving on: It's March Madness in this swirly profession. Times are definitely tough. Teachers and staff are losing jobs right along with the rest of society. Morale is low. Swimming and aquatics have been cut, which is akin to the Death Star obliterations in Star Wars. Worlds are being destroyed, and it's tough to look into people's eyes not knowing when the shoe might drop, or to whom.
9 Ironically, I'm having one of the greatest, most sensational years of my career. I waited years to finally get some higher level classes, and it's finally here. I've been working harder than I ever have, designing lively classes (not all of 'em, but most of 'em!) and keeping on top of everything 24/7.
10 The rewards of working at the Chill have been multitudinous. The staff respects and listens to the experienced teachers. The younger staff shares sensational ideas with the O.G.'s. There is a tremendous coming together of the staff due in part to the fact that everyone is in danger.
11 Anyway, I sense the school finally starting to gain an identity. Our girls' basketball team is in the division playoff game this weekend, an absolutely amazing group of scrappy gamers, most of whom are under 5'4".
12 Our bands and orchestra played last night and lit up the night, as always. Interestingly, Steve Barnhill, our own version of a musical Babe Ruth, asked me if I could direct the band at the playoff game! I thought it would be fun, but grades are comin' up and all. We'll see...
13 It's been an absolutely phenomenal year, with many good days and few bad ones, and with the exception of feeling totally over-worked, it's like all the pent-up frustration of never having been given English 1A classes has now exploded into a complete teaching marathon. I've been given the chance, and it has officially paid off already.
14 Almost every single day I can't wait to go in and work with these students, who are absolute jewels. The past two years I have been the guy with the keys, and only now am I enjoying the wonders and goofiness of what we refer to as "the classroom".
15 Administrators are already balking at having to go "back to the classroom".
16 Yeesh.
17 I do understand the cut in pay, but I took a cut in pay this year, and you know what? It was well worth it to get back into doing what I always loved.
18 Just some joy comin' at you after a sensational week.
19 It's a little bit funny, but if someone asked me if I had to do it all over again would I do it, I'd say yes, most definitely.
20 Know why?
21 As Nolte said in the old movie Teachers: "I'm a TEACHER".
22 Always have been.
23 Nice finally to see it.
24 Have a great weekend everybody, and thanks for listenin'.
25 Peace.
~H~
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