Wednesday, October 10, 2007

BIG T-SHIRT

My apologies for being M.I.A. for the past few weeks. One of my biggest frustrations is when I follow a blog on a regular basis, only to have the writer not be where they should be when I feel the need to play catchup. When I started this a little over a year ago, I promised myself I wouldn't be one of these people. How easy it is to make a promise like this when there's so much free time in your life at the moment you make it. I have a hundred stories to share, but they seem to keep stacking up the longer I wait to report them.

Thank God for the much needed day off I'm taking from the classroom today. A major perk of being the parent to a two-year-old is when said-parent is forced to stay home for the day because of daycare complications. Chad and Laura had a funeral to attend out-of-state (my condolences) and, because of it, Lisa stayed home yesterday with Audrey. Today is my turn. The privilege of getting to do this is a double edged sword. While I could use the day off, I cringe at the thought of what might be happening in my Art room as I sit and write this. When I'm given enough notice to get ready for a substitute, I'm able to lock things away and get the room ready. I tell the sub to give the students "open studio" time with the paper, pens and pencils that I leave out for them. At around 10:00 last night, it occurred to me that I left paint sitting out on the counter next to the sink. I emailed Susie, the social worker, asking if she'd go to the room and lock the paints up. Then I remembered she never remembers to check her email, which means she probably won't get the message until later on today. Oh well. I'm sure things will be fine.

The drawing posted here is from one of my high school students, Michail. Throughout the year, the students have been telling me that I need a "new look." That I don't dress appropriately. In case you, the reader, have not watched BET lately, the "proper attire" is a 3XL white T-shirt, with baggy pants, white tennis shoes and at least one ear ring. One day, Michail took the liberty of drawing me the way I should look.

For the record, Michail is a quiet student who loves art. I never had a problem with him until yesterday when he threatened to kick my ass because I wouldn't give him free time on the computer, thus earning him a three day suspension.

My day off couldn't have come soon enough.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good to see you back at the blog again! I think the picture actually looks more like Chainsaw than you. At least, the way I remember him. It's been quite some time since I've actually seen him and he may have gone through some changes (like growing a third arm) in the meantime).

10 October, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am also glad to see you back in action. I've been checking the website twice a week for the past month and have been disappointed at not seeing a new story to entertain my work day. I can see both Mark and Jeff in this picture. As someone who has seen Jeff almost every day for the past 3 years, I must say he looks pretty much the same as he did when I first met him. So, there is no third arm or nose earring to speak of. Although you might find him with a few more gray hairs as a result of having acquired a wife and 2 dogs in the past year and a half.

11 October, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, I've never had a student threaten to kick my ass. I've had a few *kiss* my ass, but that's all.

Frasier

11 October, 2007  
Blogger Steaming bowl o' Calderone said...

That just means you're affecting your students. Keep up the good work.

13 October, 2007  

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