jolt

Fridays are good. My tolerance is high because the end is within sight. My students behaved... well. My mentor and I are pooling our kids together for a poetry lesson a week. She taught Limericks and Irish Blessings. They read to each other in pairs. Then, they wrote one of each in pairs. I think they enjoyed the exercise. It's the quietest I'd seen the bunch. I was impressed. I'm going to teach Haikus and Tongue Twisters (alliteration) next week. I'm getting excited about putting the lesson together.

My kids were speculating about my social life. I told them I don't have one (that in teaching a gave up friends and family)-- that I live in a box. They asked my what kind of box. I said a small one because I'm poor. They asked what about your car. I said I have a garage box for it. They asked where the box was. I said it's none of their concern. But, this cheeky exchange came after some of them told me that my team teacher had been discussing aspects of my (very exciting) private life with them. This fact disturbed me. I need to compose my thoughts and meet with my principal to see how best to deal with it. I need to provide details and facts because they are far more sustainable than he said, she said garbage. It really bothers me that she was discussing me with the students; it's unprofessional and creepy. I fail to see how there could be a possible reason or positive motivation behind it.

Another memorable exchange was with my "classroom helper". He was talking about how much money teachers make. I looked at him increduously. He remained adamant. I explained to him in relative terms, my sister. I told him that my sister and I have the exact same education level from roughly equivalent institutions. I then said, "She makes three times what I make. I make one-third what she makes." But, it made me think about how poor he must be to think that a southern teacher's salary is good. Sheesh, I find it barely livable. That makes me spoiled, I guess.

Tonight went to an independent Italian restaurant-- I had a good time, lasagna and syrah. Then, I went out to another Med-American restaurant to meet a friend, have drinks and listen to live music. Come to find out, they USUALLY have live music on Fridays. Good to know, I'll call in advance next time. We ended up having a good time.