Category Archives: my job
Office Romances Suck
There are certain wild and domesticated animals that will pee in certain spots to show ownership. We call it “marking your territory”. I learned about this practice in grade school during science class. But my teacher neglected to tell me that not only do animals mark their territory, but humans do it as well.
The off thing about dating a coworker is that the water can get all muddy and then, aside from dealing with the stresses of a maniacal boss you are now faced with a potentially wild animal- like partner who spends too much time peeing around you as to let the entire office know you are taken.
This is ridiculous. And it is precisely the reason that so many companies have strict policies against dating. Becoming romantically involved with someone makes you lose your mind and get all silly and irrational. And you job is no place for silliness or irrationality.
It sometimes happens that one person will develop stronger feelings that the other. So, God forbid you partner takes issue with you having lunch with a coworker. There they go peeing all around you to mark their territory just in case your lunch companion happens to be a little prettier, or more handsome.
It can turn out to be quite a mess, especially for immature people. So can everyone just keep their zippers fastened and skirt tales down when it comes to coworkers? Office romances suck!
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The Color Purple
I’m an English teacher. I’m sure most of you knew that. It’s my job to read lots and lots of books. I have to know the characters and plot inside and out so I can accurately present that information to my high school students.
I’ve read many classic novels throughout the years- everything from Shakespeare to Elie Wiesel to Sandra Cisneros. My personal collection of books has grown exponentially. I love books.
But there’s one book in particular that I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read. The book has been made into a movie. I’ve watched it countless times and I’ve even seen the Broadway play version of the book when it came to Atlanta. Needless to say, I’ve memorized the sequence of events and can tell you almost everything there is to know about The Color Purple.
I’m so ashamed to say that I’ve never read this award winning novel. But a few weeks ago, I stared at the book as it sat on my shelf and decided that it was time for me to read it.
It started off beautifully. I flipped page after page reading about characters I knew so well. I could not put the book down. And after just two days I only had a few pages left.
My heart beat quickly as Nettie drove up to Celie’s house with her children in tow. As I read their embrace tears flowed down my eyes.
Why was I crying? I knew exactly what would happen. I had seen this story played out numerous times. I knew Celie and Nettie would finally be reunited. So why was I emotional?
I guess that’s the power of literature. Alice Walker wrote this story so beautifully and I was able to connect with Celie in such a way that even though I knew the outcome I was overwhelmed by the power of Walker’s writing.
The book was wonderful. I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it.
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Notes From An English Teacher (I’ve Been Found Out)
As I struggled to explain the ancient feud between the Capulets and Montagues to a class filled with 26 uninterested fourteen- year- olds one student looked up at me and said “Mrs. Grant, it was a mushroom”. Totally confused, I blankly started at my student and said “huh?” He softly said, “never mind” in an attempt to thwart my wrath for disrupting me during my lecture. They know I hate that.
After a minute or two I thought back to my student’s statement and fear came over me! I realized that I had been found out. My student had discovered my latest YouTube video!
I tried to maintain my composure but my heart was beating faster and faster just as the dismembered old man’s heart beat with increasing speed in Edgar Alan Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart. I began to sweat. I was angry. I was embarrassed. I HAD BEEN FOUND OUT!
Just a few days prior( with the same group of students) a girl exclaimed before the class that she had Googled me and lots and lots of “stuff” came up. I called her a stalker and went on with my lesson. I didn’t think much of it because she had not mentioned anything specific she’d ”found”.
But the mention of the “mushroom” had me totally discombobulated. I felt so violated. I felt so exposed.
You must understand. In my classroom I’m a hard-ass, no nonsense teacher. I don’t let my students get the best of me. I barely smile and try to stay away from small talk. I’m all about business- William Shakespeare, Maya Angelou, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lord Byron. I teach and teach and teach until the bell rings. Then, another class comes in and I do it all over again.
But online I’m a complete nut who makes crazy YouTube videos wearing furry hats. On my blog I use profanity frequently and display my wry sense of humor.
My students CANNOT know about me. They cannot know that I’m…….fun.
What am I to do? I’m sure they are reading this right now. If they are I have lost all control of my classroom. I feel like I need to run and hide.
Get off of my blog dammit! Leave me alone! Let me have a life! Go read a damn book or something. Do your homework. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!
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If I Wasn’t Afraid
I wonder what my next career will be. In a few months I’ll graduate from Georgia State University with a masters degree in Educational Leadership. Naturally, one would attempt to gain a position as an assistant principal in a public school system. But I’m not sure if that’s the path I want to take. As a matter of fact, I’m POSITIVE that’s not the path I want to take.
I started graduate school because I began to feel stuck in the classroom. Teaching can do that to you. After 11 years as a teacher my classroom walls have started closing in on me and I’m getting a little claustrophobic.
Before Oprah decided to start her network she asked herself, “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid”? I need to ask myself that same question, but I’m afraid. J I’m scared to think of what I would actually do sans fear because I might just get bold enough to do it.
Let’s see….If I wasn’t afraid I’d quit my job and dedicated myself to my writing. I’d finish the book I’ve been talking about for years. I’d submit my writing to various publishing companies and wait for a huge writing contract.
If I wasn’t afraid, I’d send my resume to Essence magazine and make plans to move to New York City to become a staff writer.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d workout everyday with no regard to sweating my hair out and walking around with an afro.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d tell people when they say things to hurt my feelings instead of holding my hurt in.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d go to every open casting call held in Atlanta. I really want to be on TV.
There are so many other things I’d do if I wasn’t afraid. How about you? Has fear affected your life in any way?
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Don’t Wanna Be A Panther
So….I don’t wanna be a panther anymore. A few years ago I did everything I could to get into Georgia State University. It was my mission, my goal. I was obsessed. So when they denied my admission to my grad school program I pressed on. I appealed their decision and was finally accepted.
Now, as I near my graduation date I could care less. I have one more semester to go before I get my Master’s degree and I don’t know if it really matters to me. Well, it matters a little because getting my Master’s means that I can finally get OUT of the classroom and move into a big corner office with lots of windows, a Mac computer, and a big comfy couch- well, not really. But at least I’ll be out of the classroom.
I’m not sure if having another degree will make me feel any different that I already feel. It doesn’t particularly matter to me. I don’t really care about a piece of paper that says I’m a little smarter than I was 2 years ago.
This program (Educational Leadership) is not my calling (I don’t think). I’m obviously still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I guess now would be a good time to resume my reading of “Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. I’ve been stuck on Day 3 for a little over a week now. I guess now’s a good time to crack open the book again and find out what my life’s purpose is because being a part of the public school system is definitely not it.
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Filed under my attitude, my grad school, my job
Back In The Swing of Things
We made it. The first week of school went on without a hitch. We were all able to wake up on time and leave the house on schedule. I made it to work early every day this week. And the kids did well in school even though their bodies were a little tired.
Now that we’re back in the swing of things I’m sure next week will be even better. If only I can resist the urge to stay up late watching my favorite reality TV shows. And only, if only I can resist hitting the snooze button 2 and 3 times each morning.
I’m not sure the kids will continue eating school lunch because they aren’t always happy with the day’s menu. Besides, it cost $17.50 per child, each week. So they may be brown bagging it for the remainder of the school year. Which is perfectly fine with me, and them.
That being said, there are a few minor adjustments that must be made to ensure that we continue having the peaceful mornings and happy days we’ve enjoyed this week. But overall, this first week back at school was a major success.
To celebrate a fantastic week this weekend will be spent lying around playing the Wii, visiting my sister-in-law, and having a great time at the movies. I’ve been waiting for weeks to see The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I’ve forced Mr. Incredible to agree to take me to see these crazy monkeys. So I’ll let you guys know how great the movie is.
I hope you enjoy your weekend as much as I will enjoy mine.
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Krispy Kreme Donuts
My ankles are swollen. They look like two big brown Krispy Kreme donuts sitting at the bottom of my legs. They hurt too. I took a bath in epsom salt last night in hopes to ease the soreness. But it didn’t help much.
I guess that’s what I get for trying to be cute. Note to self: You cannot wear high heels to work and stand up all day long on concrete floors. This makes your ankles swell up like big brown Krispy Kreme donuts. Wow! The hazards of my job!
Oh, you didn’t know? I’m a teacher. High school. English. Ninth grade. Blah.
Surprisingly, the kids have been OK. I say that very carefully because we are only three days into the new school year. But things have been quite peaceful. Nice. I’m waiting for a bomb to drop, or lightening to strike, or a desk to be thrown at my head.
Oh, you didn’t know? Last year I worked at a school I likened to East Side High. Joe Clark. Lean On Me. HNIC. Blah.
I’ve moved to another school and so far, so good. Very good. But back to my ankles…..
Since I’ve been able to actually teach my students a thing or two these past few days, my body has worn down. My lazy days of summer where I did nothing all day but post to Facebook and Twitter, snack on potato chips and Coca Cola and watch Phineas and Ferb have caught up with me.
I’ve been up at 5:30 each morning throughout the week to make my half hour commute. I get in my room and start my work day doing something that I haven’t done in a long time….I work!
At my last school I was a high-priced baby sitter who dealt with the threat of experiencing various forms of bodily harm on a daily basis. So, as not to suffer injury, I sat quietly at my desk and tried not to be noticed by the pack of wolves who came into my classroom each day.
But this year, it’s been all about the books. Instruction is taking place, people. That’s why my ankles look like big brown Krispy Kreme donuts.
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Where Are My Doors of Opportunity?
Today is the first day back at school and I am bummed. I’m happy that my children will be learning reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic instead of fighting over the Wii controlers. And I’m relieved that my grocery bill will drastically be reduced.
But I really, really don’t want to go back to work. I truly thought that this past school year would be my last. But alas! It is not. Today I return to the classroom with a room filled with students. I’ll be rigoroulsy instructing them on all the things they need to know before taking the End of Course Test.
My career as a teacher is really drawing to an end. I graduate from Georgia State’s Master’s program in December and I truly hope that some major doors of opportunity open up for me so I can move on to the next phase of my life.
I’m really bummed.
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Here I Go Again…
Well, tomorrow I’ll do something I didn’t think I’d do again. I begin teaching. The kids will come in ready to talk about their summer vacations, show off their new school clothes, and reunite with their friends.
We’ll see how this goes. I thought that last school year would be my last but I was wrong. Hopefully, this year will turn out much, much better than last year did.
I’m no longer at “East Side High” so I’m wishing for the best. I’ll let you know how my first day turns out.
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