It's over...

Hi folk. Maybe folk(s), but I'm certain that I have but one reader after such a long hiatus. Sorry I've been away. Much ado about student teaching. I ended my first placement and began my second, and the two couldn't be more different unless one was at the North Pole and the other at the South. To give my NC reader(s) an idea of what I mean, picture my first placement at Northern Adirondack, and my second placement at Beverly Hills.

We're talking smart boards, people. And color copiers. And twelve-hole punchers. And enough books for every kid in class.

Guess which one I like better so far? If you know me, you won't have to think too long.

Anyway, I just got off the phone after making a very tough call. I had to finally admit to myself that I can no longer give the statewide advocacy group the attention it demands, and I called our president to tell her that I won't be seeking a second term. To me, it felt yucky. It felt like giving up. I thought, "I'm letting everyone down. I should have tried harder." But you know what I think, folk(s)?

I think they probably won't much care.

I've missed two out of the last three meetings; I don't make the conference calls; and I've raised $0.00 dollars for the organization. I'm dead weight, and they'll probably be relieved that I cut myself loose. I needed to acknowledge that there are things I simply cannot do now. My life is in transition, and I need to simplify, even if I feel damn guilty for doing it. And the truth is that I shouldn't feel guilty. Guilt is not a good enough reason to be on this board, any more than "needing some important-sounding organization to put on my resume" is. Which, quite frankly, were the two reasons I was waffling. And this group is doing such critical work that they deserve better.

So it's over. I feel bad. I also feel better.

Brothers Grimm

Yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with the junior classes. I was talking about fairy tales and the Hero's Journey. The blank stares told me this was unfamiliar territory - which begs the question: what DO they teach in schools these days? So we did a quick activity about archetypes. I revealed the darker endings of traditional fairy stories. The students were much intrigued to learn that Cinderella doesn't sleep in a tower, and the Little Mermaid doesn't end up with the prince. They were all engaged, and the discussion about whether we should "Disney-fy" our stories was one of the best so far. Kids that usually sleep through class were offering opinions.

Except for one kid, who sat in the back of the class. He had his headphones on, and he was surfing on the 'net.

Rider was visiting our class. She saw this student clicking away, and she told me later that she figured he was playing solitaire or something. She didn't say anything to him, but as the bell rang, she got up and walked by the table to see what the kid was up to.

He was googling Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

For every question that I have, for every doubt about my teaching skills, I get moments like that. Confirmation that I can teach -- and not only that, but I'm meant to. This student caught me at lunch and shyly handed me a list of fairy tales and their revamped endings.

I could have hugged him, but the principal was watching. God, I can't wait to get my own classroom! I am going to have so much fun rocking their world!