As you can see I do not post often here. I appreciate that a site like this exists, but I've never found its members to be insightful or appreciative of talent. However, as I mentioned above it has been awhile so maybe some of you understand and can offer advice in agreement with my own forward thinking. Here is the problem: I was deceived when I chose my current school.
I am in high demand and had my choice of districts and schools. I courted a few offers but ultimately I chose the school in a good neighborhood with parents of a certain status and of course school colors that compliment me. I'm an autumn. Well, school is just two weeks away and I have made a huge mistake. No, that's not right. I did not make a mistake. The admin deceived me.
I decided to visit my campus and get a look at my room. The first problem happened when I pulled into the parking lot. I drove right up to the curb in front of the school and waited for a valet. They weren't around. Look, I know it's summer, but it is completely reasonable to expect that teachers would show up to approve the condition of their classroom and perhaps even parents there to register their children. Yes, I know what you are thinking but unfortunately there are some households with low data caps who cannot register online, but we are here to serve them as well in limited capacity.
In any case I stood outside by my car for five minutes before someone walked by and asked if I needed assistance. You may have already guessed what I learned right then. There is no valet parking! I had to park my car myself. Thankfully there were spaces right in front so I took one of those and walked to the office to get my keys. That led to my next problem. The office staff ignored me. All I wanted were my keys, a glass of cucumber water (and honestly I would have accepted lemon water), and a warm towel to help refresh me. Instead, it looked as if my presence there bothered them. Yes, I could see they appeared to be working, but I only wanted fifteen minutes of their time. Rude! However, it was far worse still.
My room's floors were stripped and waxed. Fine. But the student desks were not previously arranged to my liking. And the heat! You have to believe me when I tell you that the school not only shuts off the AC during the summer, I'm told they limit how cool the thermostat can be set. And it's not wifi enabled!
I called the office to complain but they were completely unsympathetic. I was livid and sent off and email to the admin. In the email I clearly explained my expectations. I'm not unreasonable. I will make do with an archaic thermostat, but I want the windows cleaned, the walls scrubbed and the furniture in the room laid out in a very specific way. I explained that I would even leave a diagram for the custodial staff to show that I am a team player. Not long after I sent it out I was visited by the assistant principal.
I really had assumed he was there to apologize for the current state of my room, but I was wrong. He seemed upset that I had parked in his spot and wanted me to move. Move!? Is he really not aware how far away I would have to walk. Fine, I humored him but when I see the principal this will be a talking point.
On the way to my car I learned that I would actually be teaching zero period and it starts before seven. Yes, you read that right. Seven! Look, I understand the need for low-income schools to have students start that early. Kudos to the taxpayers for allowing them the opportunity to turn their lives around on our dime. But my school is not low-income. That is not what I signed up for. Just about the time we reached my car I calculated that I would have to leave the house at 5am. Seriously? Is Starbucks even open that early? If it is it can't be filled with the class of people I want seeing me spending lots of money on bad coffee. Why bother?
Well, I was absolutely livid when we got to my car and I saw his. He drives a truck. A. Truck. And get this, it's domestic. A Dodge. Yes, I couldn't help but laugh. Poor guy is obviously just struggling to get along. No wonder he tried to make a thing about my car in "his" space. I drive an import! I got in and moved my Mazda 3. As I got in I said loud enough for him to hear, "I always forget which cup holder holds my double vente latte, half-caff, soy, extra foam espresso." That was just so he could understand our two vehicles and obviously our status in life couldn't be more diverse.
My day was ruined at this point so I drove home fuming. The office staff really bothered me. Why did they not make my needs their priority? I think it was because they were jealous of my status over them. Not only am I a highly valued teacher, but my wealth is obvious. I wore my best classic Vans shoes - black and white checkerboard like the cool kids. I had on my True Nation jeans - stretchy, which are extra spendy. And my Carhartt t-shirt as my nod to the working man. Did none of them notice the symbolism there? Luddites.
Not only am I a highly valued teacher, but my wealth is obvious. I wore my best classic Vans shoes - black and white checkerboard like the cool kids. I had on my True Nation jeans - stretchy, which are extra spendy. And my Carhartt t-shirt as my nod to the working man. Did none of them notice the symbolism there? Luddites.
This had me cracking up! Was hoping for some more fun today, so thanks “Zaphod”!
How can you be expected to work under such trying conditions? And that principal, driving an American-made truck, what a low-life. How will you ever survive?
I can offer some support in the area of air conditioning.
Use your Amazon app to purchase a magnetic thermometer for your classroom. Then take photos of it every time that the temperature is unacceptable. Show them to everyone you encounter at school, but don’t bother talking to your admin since they obviously don’t understand the importance of a properly cooled learning environment. You might even consider posting them on Facebook or Instagram so that everyone understands the stressful conditions you are working under and can appropriately comfort you.
In case you need to vet my qualifications, I drive a Honda Odyssey (so that I have room for my kids, their friends and all our sports gear) and my husband has a GTI SE, which is extremely sought after by the dads in the pick up line at the private school our kids attend.
I found a way to stop the annoying telemarketing lost souls who call my land line or cell phone.
I tell them that no I have no computers or a cell phone, or draperies or anything they are selling. That I am an old order Luddite and what ever they are selling is of the devil and may I lead them to Jehovah? Have not had a telemarketing call in two weeks! Ah success.Now I need to go shopping in my 1996 Toyota pick up and pick up my food order from the coop.
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07-20-2019, 07:07 AM
