Ramble Numero Trois

Or... ramble number three. Something like that.

I want to be in odd google. But the oddest that I've had is my creepy 'broomstick vagina'. And I want to be in quoted. But I am not cool enough. There is a coolness on diaryland that eludes me. It is like high school - the cool kids (here, many are the cool artsy kids which is my favourite type of cool) ooze this coolness. They simply pour it onto their pages in their thoughts, words and deeds. And designs. And again, I feel like someone who has their own drummer, likes their own drummer, needs their own drummer - but who would like to play with the band occasionally. This is, perhaps, a lifelong feeling. Perhaps they feel that way as well. Perhaps they don't know how cool they are. I'm certainly not going to tell them!

Anyway.. We have a bed. Yay. Work is going well. Yay. Yesterday was D.'s birthday. I got him Lego and a cd. And sheets. For the bed :). And we're going to go out to supper at Jungle Jims. Mmmm... Barbequed Burritos. Yummy.

The VP just made an announcement. It's funny, the announcements that happen once many of the students have left. And 10 minutes after school, they have left. The christmas dinner (which I can't go to because of the food choices) has had a slight change in menu. It is not poached salmon, it is fried. As was just announced on the PA. Apparently it could be 'poached salmon that is fried'. They don't know. If only students knew how silly teachers are. For example, we have a lunchtime meeting tomorrow that teachers are reminded to bring their supplied to. It's a potluck. We're just as tired of school at this point as the students are - we want days off just as much. We have just as much homework - if not more - and instead of missing deadlines we have students bugging us. And we may not be liked - but we don't like all students! And they can say they don't like us - but we have to pretend we like them. It's quite frustrating actually.

I think, as a child, your view is so limited. You think, 'I'll never be like that'. Or 'They just don't like me because I'm different'. Or 'They won't get hurt if I say something to them'. When really, people do hurt. They like you or dislike you because of you. And they used to be people who were never going to grow up to be like them. As a teacher I've said things I hated hearing. I'm sure, as a parent, I'll do the same. I hurt when someone says something cruel - even if they think i's a joke. Doesn't matter if they are friend or foe, fellow staff member or student. I have a few students like that. If you are a student, listen up. Teachers do not have to like you. We do not have to respect you as a person. We have to teach you. Everything else is a bonus. Some of us try very hard to let you know that you are being considered as an individual. That we will be looking at you as a person, yourself, separate from any group or croud. This means two things to you. One is that we demand the same. Two is that you are being considered as a person, so we may not like you as a person. It isn't because you're a teenager or a freak or a prep or a poser or rich or poor or different. It could be because you're not a nice person. Because you're rude. Because you say everything with a whine in your voice and a scowl on your face. Because you mutter under your breath as we walk away from you. Because you make comments that are cruel and unfair. Because you cheat and giggle about it. Because you try to plead your way out of everything, not realizing what you're doing is ruining someone elses fun. Because, in short, you're not nice. End of story. It won't change your mark or the respect you get in class from us. We don't let that influence teaching. And we won't let it show. But, it's how things are. Please don't let your bad feelings on a teacher influence how you are in class. They don't bring their bad feelings on you there.

Whew. If any of my current students somehow are reading this, please leave. Because I don't want to reveal my life to you. But if this struck a chord with you as a student, anyone, remember it. And respect your teacher. They're human and a person too. If you have a problem with them, talk to them. They're willing to help. They're willing to talk. And maybe, just maybe, you can learn a bit about them and why they are how they are. If they yelled at you and you don't know why, talk to them. Perhaps they are frustrated, having a bad day and what you said touched on that. Perhaps they see so much potential in you that it hurts them to see you wasting it. Yes, that is your right. But it doesn't mean that they can't mourn the loss. Perhaps they think that you are taking advantage of their good nature. Perhaps they think that you were being rude and unfair to them so they reacted. They do that. We all do that.

We're all humans. Let's interact that way.

And thus ends update three. What a ramble it has been. G'day...

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