In the footsteps of Giants

At the risk of alienation like the Dixie Chicks, I have been apologizing for George Bush for a while. I have always brought up the fact that although Texas did introduce our self-proclaimed edumacational president, we did also have Ann Richards and Molly Ivins to make up a little bit for NCLB. Having been born in the age of chanign roles for women, I was impressed early with the idea that Texas Women could kick political butt and serve you a delicious peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream to soften the blow. From my Mama Pat, my spiritual mentor Easter Shaw, political hero Barbara Jordan and continuing along with Ann and Molly, I have been deeply touched by larger than life women and have found grace and inspiration at times of doubt in myself. I hope I can continue the good fight like these women. I know I will treasure my copies of Molly's books and mourn her passing. Her grit will be missed.

NERDS-Reason #1 Why wouldn't I want to be a teacher?

Part of the spice of teaching.

Where's my advance?

3:00 in the morning. Have just been woken up by my black lab who fancies himself the keeper of the backyard who must patrol for possums at ungodly hours. For some reason I have grabbed my monthly NEA magazine to keep me company. Am flipping through the pages when I see an article about teachers who blog. Wonder if I read any of these? I am absolutely gobsmacked to see my own delusional writings listed there. I am destined to be known as the teacher who sneaks jellybeans during class. I am secretly tickled at seeing my writing in print but also wishing I sounded a whole lot smarter. In my defense, those are some pretty good jellybeans. Hmmmm, jellybeans.

Bless you

Haven't been blogging much because I am afraid that I have a terrible case of the Whiney-itis. It sometimes masks itself as the easily-cured with chocolate Kvetch-amonia. Both of these are very contagious during TAKS season. Yesterday I was doing my "guerilla-type checking of my mailbox hoping that no one sees me" stroll when my principal pops out of her office and says those dreaded words, " I'd like to speak to you in my office for a moment." Deer, headlights...rabbit, hawk. Good analogy. Now to set up this scenario, you have to know that I spent a good deal of time filling out job applications during the "district called off school/didn't call off school/ 85 % student absentee rate" ice day. I also played a lot of Texas Hold 'em with the 8th graders. Anyway, she sits me down and tells me that she still wants to continue my position next year but wants to expand my duties. Since my duties have never been really outlined and change on a day to day basis, this is a surprise. Not because she wants to give me new duties but because she wants me back period. This a whole new administration this year and I sorta fill that gap between administration and teachers. I am like the caulk of the school. I have done every possible job including mopping, ordering supplies, co-teaching classes, profiling students, coordinating state tests, printing ID badges, copy room attendant, substitute teacher...My point is that I was really thinking I wouldn't be needed next year. That they would all somehow find their groove. I also miss being in the classroom and I told her that. She seemed stunned and asked me why I would want to be back there again. Her response really blew me away. How important does she consider teachers to be and what are her attitudes toward them? Was my principal asking me why I would possibly want to be in the classroom? Until I figure this one out, I am still in phase two of sending out resumes and as the cashier at Chick Fil-A told me yesterday, "God Bless You and Good Luck". Dear school, I think we are going to need it.

Auld Lang Syne

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go."-- Brooks Atkinson

Thursday's 13 things I've found in my laundry this week

1. A candy cane missing the red stripe
2. Pink socks formerly known as white socks
3. A one dollar bill
4. A ten dollar bill(SCORE!)-What I find in the laundry I get to claim as a morale boosting tip
5. Two very soggy Texas scratch-offs I had gotten in Christmas cards-(SCORE! again) I won $5
6. One of the cat's play toys, formerly covered in rabbit fur, now scalped
7. Rabbit fur encrusted jeans
8. I found OUT that just because the label says I can wash my new kitchen mats that I should not.
9. Handfuls after handfuls of brightly colored wads of yarn(formerly known as my kitchen rugs)
10. Three Eskimo Joe's cups-this comes from having a washing machine next to your kitchen sink-they are very clean now but smell like Downy.
11. I'm not sure but the little pink specks all over the clothes smelled like Bubble Tape
12. An empty Bubble Tape package
13. I found OUT that it is possible to nearly pass out from hanging upside down inside your washing machine while scraping gum off the inside of it.

FESTIVUS-The Airing of Grievances

1. People who only show up for gift time.
2. Sheets that pull off the corner of the bed every time that you sit down even though they're advertised as deep-pocketed.
3. Having to write extremely detailed lesson plans-seriously-who reads them? By the end of the week's instruction, they should be renamed "my wish list" or "Ms. 100 Farmers delusions of grandeur".

My End of Year Inner Dialogue

Hey Ms. 100 Farmers. New School, New position, Better work environment?
"Sigh."
Don't you like it over there?
"I am honestly at a loss at how to respond."
Are you happy?
"No."
Haven't you met some great people?
"Oh yes. I've made friends with some fantastic people and dedicated educators who keep me sane some days."
So what's the deal farmer girl?
"My principal is mean."
Come on. You're a big girl now and we can't always like the people we work with, can we?
"But she's a bully and makes wildly inappropriate remarks about people."
Hmmm, does it affect you personally?
"It makes me feel dirty to be part of it."
Can you avoid these type of conversations with her?
"I'm supposed to evaluate, help, mentor and give advice. When she asks my evaluation of a situation, she will then tell that person what I have said. Her version often seems designed to make her look like the good guy." "It makes me ineffective."
Sounds like you don't trust her?
"I feel like I can't come to her with issues like I'm supposed to without her disabling the mentoring relations I have established to help other people."
Do you think you're doing a good job over there?
"I work my tail off but feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I don't have faith in her as a principal and I hate coming to school."
That's pretty harsh. Is it as bad as last year?
"In my heart and gut it feels that way."
What are you going to do about it?
"Sigh........." and my inner voice goes quiet