I do not answer naturally to the name "Mrs. Lawson." For substitute teaching purposes, I learned to do so last spring, but it wasn't a quick thing. Mostly I was used to being called, "Hey, [The Older Daughter]'s Mom!" This will change. A lot is going to change.
A week ago one of the high school English teachers resigned unexpectedly from my daughters' school. This last Friday evening I was approved by the school board for the position. In three weeks I will be responsible for seven classes every day. The final schedule is not yet in my hand, but the preliminary one has me teaching creative writing and folklore/mythology as well as multiple sections of sophomore English and a couple of other classes.
Thus, it is settled. I have looked into the woods and there I have seen my fate: great looming grizzlies of state requirements, acres and acres of towering stacks of papers to grade, ROUS's (Ridiculous Oratory and Uncomfortable Shoes) and in the deepest, darkest depths of the educational forest, Julius Caesar himself lurking sulkily in a cave while Brutus lumbers about with the conspirators making reassuring and flattering noises to draw him out.
Someone hand me the bag of breadcrumbs. I'm going in.
8 comments:
Cindy:
It all sounds excitingly frightening and extremely exhausting. I'm sure for the students it will be highly rewarding, particularly those in creative writing. Best wishes!
Michael
::: rolleyes :::
such the drama twin.
Wait ... high school teens?
::: running for the hills ::: looking back over my shoulder and yelling :::
better take a flare. If I see one I will call the Marines.
Hopefully you'll do better than Mrs. Dryer in inspiring the youngsters.....
Michael--I think you've hit on the absolute most accurate adjectives, Sir. Thanks for the vote of confidence regarding the creative writing class. I suspect I am likely to be more demanding than they may be expecting. There may be an initial tussle.
Randy--DRAMA twin?! ME? The DRAMA twin?! :::raised eyebrow::: I'd never considered a flare, but you know, I bet that would get their attention in a hurry. :)
Anon--Oh, come on. Many things about Mrs. Dryer I appreciated greatly. She taught solid basic writing skills, you have to admit, and I've a great deal of respect for her because of that. As for the inspiration, I was inspired to put a dead mouse in her desk once...
How delightful! Do you have a good "teacher means business face" all practiced up and ready to be used? My friend Mr. K suggests a full relaxation of all muscles in the face until a bored, enigmatic expression appears. He describes it as the "Queen Victoria we-are-not-amused face."
But, oh, how exciting! The territory of the mind is never fully explored...
eeee I wish I'd been lucky enough to have you as a teacher :)! Good luck!
Meg--You got Great Scott, so of the two of us, you probably got the better deal. ;)
Cindy:
Hi! I thought I would drop in and see how things were going at school. Oh, if you can, let the Rat Pack know that they can contact me on my blog. :)
Thanks!
SfC
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