Okay. It is time to try to write about life at the high school! First, despite the nitpicky negative stuff from adults, once in the classroom as a teacher the bottom line is that I am spoiled rotten. Need supplies? Need markers? Go to the supply cabinet for the English department. Need a book bound? Run to the print shop. Oh, we have a special educational assistant for your low level class for a while—she can grade your papers and run your copies—and do it all with a smile. That little room by your classroom? It is your personal storage space and location of your central air conditioning unit. And freshman English classes only have a maximum of 20 students in them. No joke all. I am a spoiled rotten teacher. After working in old buildings that the community would never fund a bond reject for, suddenly I go to work in a new building with spotless walls, clean hallways and no vandalism.

My theory about the kids vacillates. I was shocked to see the good attitudes and nice behavior. I mean they say “excuse me” when they need directions—they say good morning back when I stand at the door and greet them. Yes, they are real (finally—2nd period scared me yesterday with their sainthood). At first I thought it was cultural. But the fact is when I walk around campus I see the same permeating attitude. Yes, I see bratty kids and, yes, some try to come to school half dressed and make out in the halls. I mean hello, this is American high school. But there are far too many cultures in that place for it to be cultural. Is it CA? Maybe that is why. Is there a different standard of education? It is true that education in this state is approached very differently. Some is good and some is bad. But I think it is environmental.

Think about this. When you enter a rich, fancy home don’t you treat things better than when you enter squalor? Of course this school is not like one of those shopping mall schools like Allen HS in Texas. Nor were my last two schools squalor by any estimation—BUT when you give kids well-kept grounds new buildings and an appearance of excellence, don’t tell me that doesn’t affect their behavior! I first realized that as a visitor to Allen HS and I about fell over when I recognized the differences. Atmosphere affects you. Setting affects stories because setting affects real lives. If you are mad at your friend and about to lose you temper, you contain it much better in a walking tour of the White House than you might in your garage.

So yeah, I like my kids. They are not Texas kids. There is a difference for sure. And I do miss my Texas kids. They know I dance. I have a bar stool-style chair and I put the tutu around the base of the seat. It is the Tutu Chair and is very popular already. They ask me to dance but I am still gun shy. It is not the kids. I thrive on the energy of teenagers. One told me I am the most interesting class because I am the only teacher who “is not boring… you’re happy.” Maybe it is the atmosphere for me too. I am afraid if I am too silly and get caught in action someone will freak. It is not like me to be that way. It is especially not like me to be that way when I am not sure how long I will teach in CA public schools because of this immense negativity among some faculty that drags you down. I mean, part of me says, great—then if they don’t want me I will have NO choice but to go.

But so far so good. I seem to be well liked enough. I have resisted a couple people, including one who thinks Jesus is an exclamation rather than the Hope of Glory. She needs to shut up or that could be my first problem. I am hoping that once she realizes I am serious about God that will help her tone it down. Many people will if they realize. But by and large it is good. Today the educational specialist asked me what I was doing a certain day. I had to tell her I was not available because it was a Tuesday and I have classes. But it was a site-based campus leadership committee she was asking me to be a part of—after three days on the job. I took that as a positive sign even though I had to decline.


A tough issue is if the union keeps this leave agreement I likely will not work there next year SOLELY because of that even if I stay in public school. I find it offensive as a professional to disclose my personal life. When I call in sick the don’t require me to tell the sickness. This agreement encourages lying among most—and docked pay among people like me who won’t lie. Just because I moved it doesn’t mean Shachah and that ministry is not a part of my life. I won’t give it up for a job. It is something I will address if it looks like I like it here and want to stay. I will take it to the union myself. (Of course I will.) This is NOT a CA policy—Jenna’s district doesn’t have it , so it can be modified to be less intrusive. This just happened recently-it was not even in place when I was hired.

I am still sounding like a dying frog from the cold I have had since about Sunday afternoon. Today most of the voice went. I still can’t breathe clearly. This has NOT been a fun week physically. I have had so little energy. My schedule is INSANE. It really is. I am not sure I realized what I was doing. Monday nights I am home but I also have to take classes for my CLAD—a CA certificate that you MUST have that basically qualifies you to teach ESL. My district makes us get it. I do definitely work for one of the best districts around. They reimburse you for all CLAD expenses. They pay FULL benefits not only for the employee, but for the employee's family. I mean, I got the cream of the crop, but it means harder work too. My schedule is full and good, but it makes me not want to move on Fridays and Saturdays but alas! That is my only social time—or, lets be realistic, time to grocery shop, do laundry and, oh I don’t know, read a book or perhaps take a walk or go on a hike in the mountains if I ever have time! Already this weekend is booked. Sundays got fuller because after my church service—which runs late (and I LIKE that), I now go to the other church (the one with the prayer center) for Sunday night services! And as soon as I am well enough to need a bit less rest than I have needed this week,--which looks like it will be Friday morning--I will be attending the prayer center early morning prayer at least a couple times a week. I was standing in dance class Tuesday night at the Pasadena Civic Ballet looking at myself in the big mirror and thought--I could be in any dance studio anywhere. Wherever I go I am still me--I will dance as long as my arms and feet move. I will teach as long as I love kids and they pay me to do it. I will pray wherever I find a place where people gather. It is a nice feeling. While much of this has been an adjustment, some has been simpler in that sense. I am who I am wherever I am. That is reassuring.

I am betting it won't be too long before I am dancing across the classroom again (I have a pair of ballet slippers in my desk drawer).