It Has Begun

Hi again...

I'm embarassed to have set myself up for a daily goal for posting, and then not post for almost two months. Which is like four years, e-time, isn't it.

School has started. Today was faculty only. Tomorrow the freshmen come, then the next day all students begin.

However, I've been working the past two weeks on schedule changes. This is a little known dirty job of guidance - we are perceived as the masters of students' schedules when we are merely the pawn-messengers. We change what's possible/practical based on specs given to us. This doesn't stop people from expecting that we can work our magic to give them everything they want. And it doesn't stop them from thinking we get an evil kick out of denying their requests.

We had a failed override last year which resulted in larger class sizes, larger teaching loads, and an assortment of other restrictions. Yet, somehow, "I know the override didn't pass last year, but there is no reason why this can't be done" seems to be the battle cry taught at cocktail parties town-wide.

Did I ever tell you of the types of parties they have here in Southern Horizons? You know tupperware parties, where a person brings their wares and throws a party to have their friends purchase stuff off them (I am not a big fan of mixing relationships and financial benefit)? Here in Southern Horizons, parents have "College Expert" Parties, where they hire college experts to come in and talk to them and their friends about how to most strategically position their kids through high school to ensure Ivy League appeal come college time. Did I mention this is for parents of eighth graders?

Contrary to what it may look like above, I love my job. I love my kids. I love my co-workers. What I don't love, and what I point out, is the environment in which this exists. I do not believe it is healthy, and I wish influencing people to change for the better weren't such a resistant and combative experience at times.

Off to another day of schedule magic...I shall try to keep you updated on a more consistent basis, as this job changes every day. Well, every hour. OK, really every minute.

Have a great day, all!