back to life, back to reality

Monday June 26 I will be attending a meeting at my school. The administration has finally achieved the impossible--put together the 9th grade house system. I shouldn't be so cynical. They are human after all and are doing their best.

Union activists at our school drink cynicism in their coffee. They have their own attitude adjustments to deal with as their leader, Duffy, has formed a compromise agreement with Mayor Villaraigosa on mayoral takeover of LAUSD.

I need to start producing positive thinking. End of story.

I've been informed I will be assigned to two houses. English and Math teachers will have 20 students per class; my classes will be twice that size. Why? Science is not seen as high priority and class sizes cap at 40. If my luck holds out I will have a common prep with one of my houses. Collaboration and personalization, the main goals of Small Learning Communities, may yet be possible in my situation.

Already my room assignments are making me nervous. I have been chosen (in only my second year at this school) to switch classrooms in the middle of the semester. The first two months my classes will be in the smallest science room; it has no windows. After two months I switch to "Telly' room," way out by the tennis courts.

I must remember my oath to Jennifer Cauley, principal of Stuart Middle School in Louisville, KY. Whatever you do, don't give up on the kids.

My first year was pretty wonderful. But was it my faith or my earthly situation that made it wonderful?

Now I get to see that it was my faith. I have a feeling that God and His angels are just sitting on the fence, waiting to spring into action on mine and my students' behalf.