Long time, no blog

So, I haven't blogged in forever. Forgive me. I could state excuses, but I won't. It's finally January and some things have ended and others are just beginning. Let me update you and then I'll be my usual esoteric self.

-I finally finshed the second Master's Degree in December. This is really good because for the first time in my life, I was tired of school. Maybe because these were classes I didn't really find interesting, just requirements. Whatever the case, I am finished. For the moment. But I never say never because some of you know how restless I can become in life.

-I am still teaching Humanities. But, I now have a real, actual classroom. I'm talking a room with four walls, a ceiling and a door that I get to stay in all day. This may not seem like a big deal to some of you. But imagine teaching 25 plus teenagers in a giant office cubicle surrounded by other classes. And let me mention that the Parenting Class was right next to me, although this did lead to some interdisciplinary teaching opportunities. Like the day my class was discussing the Trojan War and we could hear the sex ed teacher giving condom advice over the cubicle wall. Yeah, priceless.

-A long basketball season continues. Do I hate basketball at this point? No. Do I sometimes ask myself why I'm there? Frequently. But anyone who knew me in high school knows I struggled through some long seasons, but never gave up. It's a challenge. It's adversity. And no matter how bad things get, its still a game I love. So yeah, I'm still there and plan to be for awhile.

-A trip to India this summer may be traded in for a venture to Manchu Pichu in Peru. There are many reasons for this that I may get to later. Everything goes back to a moment in the 5th grade that compels me to go there. We'll see if this trip becomes a reality or gets moved to the backburner. But for the moment, its on the table. A trip to the musuems in Chicago and hopefully a return to Cedar Point are also on the agenda. No one need remind me why I love the schedule of a teacher.

-Somehow this week, I got talked into coaching tennis. No, I didn't play tennis in high school. But hey, life is about learning new things. Right? I'm open to the situation, so I'll keep you updated on the gig.

-And students continue to fascinate me with the unbelievable statements that come out of their mouths. In the last couple of months I've had one tell me George Chaney is our Vice President, one who created her own 25 Theses (to match Luther's) that included the statement "You shouldn't have to love your neighbor if you don't want to" and "Murder should be acceptable because sometimes you have a good reason", one who informed me that Muslims practice Mussilism, and one who tried to convince me that optimystical is a real word.

That's a brief update of my life as a high school teacher in never-a-dull-moment Greenup County. And yes, I still ask myself every morning how I got to this exact moment in my life. But that question isn't a bad thing, although some think otherwise. I'm here because I want to be here. I had a conversation with a very wise person over the holidays. He asked my educational background and then inquired about my profession. He kind of snickered when I told him I was a high school teacher--and that I taught something as useless on the surface as Arts & Humanities. He said to me that being a public school teacher is like being a missionary. You're in this foreign land full of restless natives who don't always want you around unless they see some immediate benefit they can gain by your presence. Hostility and unappreciation is the norm. You have little support from headquarters, yet a great deal of responsibility relying on your job performance. Sometimes you're successful and sometimes you get your head cut off. Over the course of our conversation, this wise person and I determined that there are four types of students in our world. And that to be a life-long teacher, it is absolutely necessary to realize and acknowledge this fact:

-There are students who will never get it. They are in school until they are either old enough to drop out or finish enough requirements the school moves them on. It doesn't matter what you say to these kids, their attitudes will never change. These students will move through life, maybe get a job they'll lose, with the same attitude they've always had--just do enough to survive.

-The second group of students will do well no matter who their teacher is. Heck, this group doesn't even need a teacher. They are driven to be successful by the standards of the world. These students can teach themselves, but make teachers look good when they have them in class. These students are driven by the goal of achieving and overachieving expectations. The real value of learning is lost on them in the pursuit of accomplishing goal after goal. These students will find superficial success in life. Good jobs, good-looking families, but something will always seem like it is missing.

-The third group of students really wants to get it. They push themselves, ask questions and do everything possible to meet the expectations of the teacher. And in return, a good teacher will try to provide all the resources that will help these students reach that desired success. But no matter how hard they try, these students won't be as successful as they'd like. They're just not capable. Life will be a struggle for them. But they will find work, have families and make every effort possible to be successful. But it won't be easy for them.

-The last group of students are the ones that help teachers get up in the morning. These students want to learn, but might not have always known this fact. They do pretty well for themselves throughout school, until they encounter that one class, or more usually that one teacher that sparks it all for them. After that spark, the gears start turning and learning takes on a real value for these students. From this point forward, learning is "what does it for them." Learning illuminates the world for these students. These students are the individuals that will take the knowledge that inspires them and use it to change the world. Oftentimes, these students bask in learning to the point they decide to give that gift back and become teachers themselves.

A year and half into this adventure, I am by no means declaring myself successful. By no means. But, I am declaring that if a teacher does not realize this fact, success will elude them their entire, wasted career. I know, that is a big statement. But teaching is a big responsibility.

So this blog really didn't head in the direction I anticipated. But sometimes the best things are the unexpected things. I intended to blog in a different direction, but maybe that will come later in the long weekend. I'm sure I will have plenty to comment on after the weekend. Tomorrow is the Kite Runner and the Patty Griffin concert. The Kite Runner is possibly one of my most favorite books ever (yes, nerds have favorite books) and hopefully the movie will not disappoint. And Patty Griffin's lyrics could be the soundtrack to my life. The fact that Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris will also be at the concert is pretty great. And hopefully the official photographer of roadtrips will provide a visual accompaniment to the next blog.