Tuesday November 14, 2000
My head is in a swirling whirlwind and it sure feels good. A lot of stuff has gone down in the past few days. Yesterday, I attended a conference which pretty much sucked. It was coordinated by this 60+ year old lady who could have been someone's annoying mother. Yeech. Anyway, she insists that we shell out $10 for lunch so that we can all eat together and discuss the topic of the conference during lunch. I don't know about you, but I cannot eat and talk about genocide at the same time. Denny's proved to be a much better choice, and I jetted out of the conference early as I was only 'running to the potty' but instead ran out the door.

This morning when I opened my door, I noticed that it was not even locked. I wondered what was going to be missing. I noticed that someone had written in big letters across the board, 'I like to suck dick and lick pussy.' I quickly scanned the room and noted that everything else was in the proper place. Cool. Just then, I heard my neighbor, Ms. Cockeyed yell out that someone had vandalized her room. I ran across the hall and saw that someone had left her a more personalized message which read, 'I want to fuck Ms. Cockeyed in the ass.' However, like my room, nothing else was out of place. I actually felt sorry for this woman for taking the message so personally. When she found out about my message, she felt a bit relieved.

The AP has rewarded me with extra money to sponsor the History Club. I told her that for the nominal money, I would meet one time each two or three weeks. She agreed that would be sufficient and that I should also coach the History Bee team. In the meantime, I am doing some tutoring after school and feeling real good about helping out the kids.

Another AP walked in my room today during a great teaching moment and told me that she was really wowed over by what I was doing in the classroom. I really am enjoying this school year and diggin the vibe at Sunnyland.

Wednesday November 15, 2000
Report cards came out today and the emotions ran from pure and unadulterated shock to delight. There was only one kid in my homeroom who had terrible grades in each class. I noticed that most of the kids had a 'C' average or better. One kid who got all A's and B's yelled out, 'I'm going shopping!'

The day started out with a bit of gossip tossed my way. I met another department member in the parking lot who promptly told me that she hates the days we have meetings because the department head hates her and ignores her. This was a total surprise to me and I milked the situation for as much information as I could while staying as detached as possible.

I am almost caught up on all of my grading today thanks to the kids working pretty quietly on their classroom presentations. I let the kids teach the rest of the students over the past few days and it seemed to work out pretty well. The kids really are learning a lot and seem to be capable of so much more. I really am enjoying teaching again and relating to the kids. This job is not for someone who does not really enjoy kids and motivating them to be everything they can be. I think about my youth and how much of my time was wasted in school, but how valuable the socialization skills were that I obtained. I think school today needs to be a mix of both. This is especially relevant to teaching 8th graders who are freaked out just because they have body hair growing out of places they never even knew existed because these kids need just the right mix of discovery and learning.

Sunday November 19, 2000
I went to a game this afternoon with Mr. Lanky, a former colleague from Shitsville. He said the situation there was horrible and could only dream about busting out. I told him to hang in there and suddenly I felt guilty about being at Sunnyland. I think the reason I felt guilt is because I know just how horrible things are at the Shitter and how much of the opposite end of the spectrum Sunnyland is.

I got underpaid on Friday and my AP promised she would make a call to payroll to get it straightened out. At the same time she told me that there would continue to be opportunity there for me and that I could look forward to having some work in the summertime. This sounds like good news, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Either way, I really do dig the environment that I'm working in and really enjoy going to work each day. The kids are pretty funny and a comical. One girl has taken it upon herself to yell at the other kids when the class is out of control. She suddenly yells out, 'the next one who talks, your mama ain't no good.' The class immediately gets quiet and wants to know who is disparaging their mama. Since report cards came out a lot of kids have been trying much harder. Some have already decided they are content with a C or a D. The question I keep on asking myself is, 'How do I motivate kids who are content with mediocrity.' I'm not sure I can answer myself.