Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

There's always something brewing in my life.

As you read in yesterday's post, I've been extremely discouraged about my job at the high school. If you're a long-time reader, you know that this discouragement has been present in varying degrees throughout this entire school year... and that in recent weeks it's been so oppressive that I've sent my resume in to several other places that are NOT school districts.

Earlier this year, one of the SPED teachers in our building resigned due to the terrible circumstances. Her position was in a self-contained classroom with students who exhibit severe behavior disorders.

Today the behavior interventionist came to me privately and asked, hypothetically, if I were offered that classroom for the rest of the school year, would I take it? I told her that yes, I would consider taking it, but only if I am no longer responsible for updating the IEPs of students I don't see.

I didn't figure that one would fly, but later, the SPED consultant took me aside and spoke to me about the same issue.

Sooooo... it's possible that things will change.

Behavior Disorders? Are you crazy, Kris?

Well, yes, but like a fox. This classroom is so far removed from the general student population that most people don't even know where it is. Administration doesn't WANT to have to deal with these kids, and neither do most substitute teachers who they call in.

Years ago I read the book by Corrie ten Boom entitled The Hiding Place, in which she describes life in a Nazi concentration camp. The barracks in which she had to live was infested with fleas, and she was miserable until her sister (also imprisoned there) pointed out that the guards stayed far away from their barracks because they didn't like the fleas either.

I may have to live with a few flea bites, but in the end it may be worth it to all of us.

Let's not carry the Nazi metaphor any further, though, k? My high school is an unpleasant place, but I can freely leave at any time, and I actually DO like my students and most of my co-workers. I get to spend time with really great kids, teaching them how cells undergo mitosis and meiosis, how to solve an algebraic equation, and how to write a coherent paragraph. To me, that's a very cool thing.

At any rate, the whole idea's just being bandied-about at this time, so it may never happen. In any case, today was much more bearable than yesterday. One of the IEP specialists for the district came to the school and spent time with all of us teachers helping us put together the IEPs, so I feel a little less overwhelmed than I did.

Who knows? Keep checking back in here, because you never know what I'll end up doing. Tomorrow I may be interviewed for a position as a graphic designer at a screen-printing business, and all this may be moot.

Aren't you lucky that I'm so flighty and unpredictable, and that I don't mind wild changes in my life? I'm sure it's very entertaining for you.