Monday September 18, 2000
In the last few days I have had some of the most pleasant days I have ever had teaching. Kids are extremely respectful and courteous at this school and so far I have hardly had to raise my voice at all. On Friday, I had probably the best teaching day I ever had. Kids were actively engaged in discussions, and over 95% of the kids did their homework. I am like a pig in shit. If the rest of the year is like this, I think I could relax. However, when life looks like easy street there is always danger at your door. I wonder when the shit is going to hit the fan.

Some of my co-workers are quite strange. There is another teacher on my hall who insists on holding young ladies' hands. I think he is treading on thin ice when he does this. It kind of creeps me out.

The highlight of teaching at Sunnyland has to be the kids. I hesitate to say this so early in the year, but they are quite well behaved.

Wednesday, September 20, 2000
I have had so many thoughts about work in the last week or so but barely enough time to jot the ideas down.

The creepy teacher had one of his hand holders transfer out of my class to his. This is going on the path I imagined it would. It would not surprise me for a student to allege some sexual misconduct against this guy.

Yesterday we had our first faculty meeting. It was very informal and was a real relaxing meeting. Our department meeting was this morning and was basically a time to sit and bullshit. I am discovering that there are a lot of teachers at this school that play the 'I care' game when in reality, behind whispers, they are really saying, 'Fuck it.'

Some of the new teachers are having a hard time managing the kids. It is hard to imagine how this could be the case. The worst kids at this school are not nearly the worst kids from where I came.

I am still waiting on my funds from the other school to be transferred over to Sunnyland. After 3 phone calls, the treasurer told me that the principal would make a phone call to resolve the issue. I guess they just don't fuck around at this place.

For the most part, the kids that I teach have been pretty decent. They have been turning in their work and are fairly well behaved.

Friday, September 22, 2000
The day began with a teacher's meeting. One teacher complained that his intensive jacking off has caused his baldness. I wouldn't be surprised if he was telling the truth. He's kind of an asshole and I'm sure that he could only score with himself.

I had to give my first detention today and I felt lousy about it. This kid has been pretty rude but not as nearly as rude as the kids that I used to teach. I issued the detention for Monday morning and we shall see if he serves it.

Tomorrow, the kid who got suspended returns to class and I wonder how that vibe is going to be. So far the kids have been pretty good, but their effort is not to the level I first thought it would be. I gave a states and capitols test this week and most kids failed miserably after having 2 weeks to study for it. I even told them which ones I would be testing them on. I'm going to give my first quiz next week and I wonder how that is going to be. So far, the kids have been turning in their homework in record numbers; in fact, I'm really not used to grading so many papers, so it has become quite a pain in the ass (but in a good way).

I'm going to show a film on discrimination this week and I hope the kids dig it. I've really tried hard to plan ahead this year and have a bit more preparation going into class. So far this has paid off with better lessons and more structured activity. These kids are more demanding and generally pay attention so I have to be on my toes at all times.

I think that I have won most of the kids over. They regularly come up to me and tell me that I'm their favorite teacher and are generally nice towards me when I see them. I'm getting stricter however, and I wonder if the approval ratings will still be high. I know this may seem strange, but I worry less about how effective of a job I'm doing teaching and more about how the kids respond to me. Maybe this is because I have such confidence in my abilities to teach and lower self esteem, but I think it is important to carve out a fresh reputation at this school and I really think that the kids liking me is a part of it. The administration so far seems to have picked up on this because several of them have told me that they have heard the kids really like me. It makes me feel good.

I got my check from Shitsville on Friday and I have officially severed all ties with that lousy place. It is a tremendous relief to finally be my own person again. After teaching there for a few years, I feel as though I can teach anywhere. Sunnyland is a picnic compared to that hellhole.