Why you shouldn't be a public-school teacher

Sigh. So my immediate boss (assistant principal over special programs) resigned this past week. Although she exhibited psychotic traits toward others, she was always nice to me. I will miss her. Moreover, I will miss her guidance, work ethic, and genuine interest in our students. My big boss (the principal) made sure to insult her before she left by telling her a replacement for her would not be needed - that her job could be sectioned off to others who already work at our school. If that were the case, I have to wonder why she was there in the first place. Of course it's not true, but women are notorious for being catty. Therefore, in the aftermath, I am the lucky recipient of the ESL testing coordinator component of her job. Equally as lucky, I get to do it for FREE! Woo hoo! I am already a FREE department chair, where other department chairs receive stipends. Why must ESL always be given the shaft? Our student population continues to increase while the number of qualified teachers remains the same. Our accountability level is nearing that of special education, yet other teachers do not consider our accommodations important. I love the students I teach. Students in mainstream USA do not hold a candle to my ESL students with regard to respect and altruism. I will advocate for them whether I am compensated or not. However, it seems criminal to cheat ESL teachers when they have the difficult task of helping their students become proficient in a language within a narrowing timetable when mainstream teachers need only to keep their students afloat in a language they were born using. Oh well. Who said life was fair?

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go...

Oddly enough, I have already resigned myself to my fate of working nonstop (almost) until June 5th. It took me less than 24 hours to move from my previously sulky state to a natural rhythm that will hopefully carry me through the long haul. It's true that I never stay sulky for long anyway, as I like to think of myself as naturally optimistic. Naysayers be damned! I may feel completely different about it tomorrow, but for now, on with the show!

Egads!

How can it possibly be the end of my two-week vacation? I know it's a cliche, but it really did fly by. I love the idea of Christmas, but the whole preparation thing is seriously stressful. I guess at least in that respect I'm glad that it's over. However, I know I'm facing five grueling months of intense instruction, and that doesn't exactly put a spring in my step. I guess once I get back in the swing of things, it won't seem so bad, but I'm used to staying up until 2:30 these days, and that will be difficult to come down from. I guess I better stop procrastinating and get in bed. I'm reading a really weird book. It's called "Let Me In." I can't decide how I feel about it yet, although after 160 pages, it has begun to grow on me somewhat. Back to it then!

A poem to ring in the new year:

mother can you hear me –
calling out across the miles?
mother do you know me –
all the tears and all the smiles?
mother would you see me –
if i walked among a crowd?
mother would you care –
if i shamed or made you proud?
mother would you keep me –
if the past could be replayed?
mother would you love me –
or would you just be dismayed?
mother can you feel me –
the tiny part that’s still inside?
mother won’t you choose me –
or will i always be denied?

Reflecting

So it's the last day of 2008. This has been a busy year with grad school and all. I don't feel like I've given the people in my life my full attention. I guess a good resolution for 2009 would be to make sure I do that, eh? I hope we have a great time in San Antonio tomorrow and Friday. I'll write more when I return.

Peace...