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June 26, 2007
The Pet Store
There is a shopping center near my school. It's a sketchy place, but they do have a really good pet food store where I buy Bear's super-fancy food. I haul it back to my school, then throw the 25lb bag over my shoulder and walk to the subway.
I hate delivery charges for dog food. I can handle most delivery charges, but not for dog food.
I'm in the dog food section today looking for her specific NutroMax Senior with Glucosamine. It now has Chondritin, thank goodness. I've been worried about her chondritin levels. I look to my right, as there seems to be a commotion going on in the rodent cage section.
Mama Rat is giving birth to a whole litter of baby rats. Unfortunately, the cage is rather chaotic, and the babies are being torn apart/eaten by other rats. Blood is smeared all over the cage. Mama Rat is continuing the birthing process, unable to prevent the disaster.
I go to the checkout counter, where Bubbles the airhead clerk is chewing her gum. I warn her that she has a cannibalism problem in the back, and that she might want to get back there before some kid begins screaming. I didn't get to buy the food, as she suddenly became rather busy.
I'm also not going to be frequenting that store any more. Things have been a bit crazy at my school. I have an assistant principal who is an amazingly talented individual, and I attribute a huge chunk of this year's success to his hard work. Unfortunately, he's leaving, moving to another new high school. Since the announcement, my school has been quickly becoming a chaotic mess. A teacher can only teach well if the school runs well.
This administrator asked me to look at his new school, and I went down there after a particularly disastrous day under a new administrator. The new school is a similar school, but a lot more organized. Longer commute, but really student-centered, plus an opportunity to get involved at the college level. I agonized over the decision, but I decided to transfer to the other school. It was really clear to me this year that my teaching in a high needs school doesn't need to be a constant fight, and that ANY student can achieve success with clear goals and organization from the staff.
If I had stayed at my old school, they would have sucked me into the administration out of necessity. They were already trying to do that, and it isn't what I want right now. I know I might some day be an administrator, but now is not that time. Last year as a coach at a middle school clarified that. Just being a teacher might seem to be setting my goals a bit low, but I've never struggled harder for something in my life. I want to teach, I want to be in a classroom with kids that don't even know that they're parched with thirst, I want to see another kid begin to believe that math actually makes sense.
The math contests will still go on.
Posted by G at June 26, 2007 08:57 PM
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Comments
G, I think that sounds like a really super wise decision. There are lots of students that need good teachers at every school. I know these types of career decisions can be hard, but sounds like you've really got a handle on it. Good for you!
Have a great summer...and I'm sure the transition will be fabulous.
Posted by: Patrick at June 26, 2007 10:29 PM
Then what happened to yesterday's Math Monday? :(
Posted by: Doug at June 26, 2007 11:43 PM
Have I ever mentioned that I have great respect for you?
Posted by: Scott at June 27, 2007 10:46 AM
Okay, seeing the baby rats being chewed up would've scared me - for life. I do not want to see any of that. :-(
Anyway, I've said it before. Being a teacher is such a admirable profession. It's not ever easy I can see, but you're doing it. And at the end of the day, you get satisfaction from seeing the kids taking interest... learning what needs to be learned, and having confidence in doing so. I love it!! We need more people like you G. Kudos!!
Oh and picturing you with a 25lb bag over your shoulder strutting about isn't bad either. And if all teachers look like you in schools, I would go back in a heartbeat! heh!
Happy Hump Day!!
Posted by: Robert at June 27, 2007 11:36 AM
Pet stores are horrible places to buy pets (as the den of rat homicide would attest). They should just sell food and toys.
I don't think being a teacher is "setting your goals low." Rather, it suggests where you place your priorities.
Posted by: GayProf at June 27, 2007 06:06 PM
Just had to follow up on "Happy Hump Day" -- I know today is really HAPPY END OF THE WHOLE FRIGGIN' 2006-07 SCHOOL YEAR Day!!!
Ours was marked by a faculty meeting during which our brilliant AP forgot to mention anything about 2 of the 3 departments he heads, another AP announced that 8 members of her staff were leaving, 2 other APs announced their retirements, and our principal praised one of the retiring APs effusively without ever mentioning that she effectively forced his retirement by cutting his hours/pay.
And so it goes. 8 weeks off, then back for more!
Posted by: Cohort 6 Fellow at June 27, 2007 08:58 PM
beautiful, G. And, as strange as it may seem to some, many of us really envy you.
Posted by: james at June 28, 2007 12:47 AM
a nice analogy though....
Posted by: Blobby at June 28, 2007 08:25 PM
Sounds like you have made another great choice for yourself... And your students will benefit!
We MUST get together over the Summer!
Posted by: Todd HellsKitchen at June 29, 2007 04:18 PM
I really admire your decision. My older brother is a math teacher. He taught in a middle school for 30 years, was "offered" early retirement, took it and is now teaching high school. Like you, I think he could have moved into the private sector and made some large sized cash, but he really feels that his work is important.
The new school sounds great! I've known too many friends who've been worn down by teaching in schools that were about the administration and not about the students.
Once again, you have my sincere admiration.
Posted by: Tony at June 30, 2007 05:24 AM
Good choice about the schools. You have gunfighters syndrome....no teacher likes to turn his or her back on a room, much less a window. I still sit with my back to a wall whenever possible.
Posted by: Wicked Stepmom at June 30, 2007 08:36 AM
Good luck at the new school! Is it still in Manhattan?
Posted by: Lee at July 1, 2007 03:48 AM