Month: September 2016

Talk talk talk.
Blah blah blah.
Nothing too exciting happens on a first day. I talk a lot. So much so that my voice was shot by 4th period.
My student with 5 credits in one year is no longer in my class. Security came looking for her, but she was not there.
My 4 classes that I’ve taught forever listened well and moved along.
My regular English class that closes the day was cliquey, turned their backs, didn’t have their work ready after summer. But I gave them options. We’ll see if they take them.
Nothing special or surprising at all. Maybe tomorrow.

We’ve been looking for a new brand for our school–a slogan, if you will. I doubt that “We’ve Got Spoons” will stick, but it will stick with me.
Meetings and information day, lots of people talking at us, department meeting which reminded me that our district chose some pretty awesome books for us to use in our class. Some are hard, like Frankenstein. Others are easy, like The Alchemist. Some are student favorites, like Unbroken. Lots of options, many things to consider, but also lots of people probably don’t know what to do tomorrow or the next days. They’ll figure it out, or won’t.

I prefaced the reality of school yesterday, though. There were more meetings today, teachers were on their own for lunch, but we were all supposed to come back for an “ice cream social” in the cafeteria at 2. Kind of mean, giving us a lot of freedom during the day, but expecting us back at the end of the day, right before school starts. No big deal. I was there, others were there, a bunch of people were all hovering around the cafeteria at 2, wondering why the room was dark and didn’t have ice cream. Then it became after 2, then later, then later.
When I left at 2:10, there was nothing set up, and other teachers were leaving, too. When passing the library, the principal’s secretary was walking to the cafeteria, box of spoons in hand. People had left, there wasn’t ice cream or any kind of setup (but there was a dark, empty room), no administrators or counselors were there, no announcements.
But someone yelled out, “We’ve got spoons.” This was true.

Going back to a school for your 18th year is kind of like walking down the same hallways as a teenager. You’ve got all the cliques–the jocks, the beautiful people, the cool kids, the ones who think they’re cool but don’t realize what the cool kids say about them at the parties they don’t invite them to. Remember those days?

It’s the same with adults. Probably worse. By day 3, I will have students, and all the talk about how to teach won’t matter. On day 1 we are all great teachers, living in theory, understanding that article we read will guide us to be the teacher that matters. On day 1 we have a vision, a mission, and it’s always heartfelt and sounds like something we do. On day 1 we forget last year because this year is going to be different because we have a plan.
But by day 3, you better come with your game, because there’s a room filled with students who don’t care about that article you read at that conference you attended with those people who you email, hoping for ideas.
I believe Iron Mike said it best–“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” That’s day 3 for some. For me, it’s just Thursday, and I got my gloves up.
It’s teaching. It’s been happening for a while. I believe teachers really care about students and their schools. I am filled with confidence that I can reach kids who got D’s and F’s in their English classes last year. Because it’s teaching, and it comes with an honesty and reality that doesn’t stop until June.
Bob and weave.

There won’t be much labor on this Labor Day. School starts tomorrow. Unlike almost every district in the United States, Torrance still thinks it is wise to start after the holiday. This doesn’t make much sense, except for people who aren’t willing to give up their summer on a one-time basis. After you start early, you get out early, start early–it becomes the same cycles of 10 or 11 weeks.
Here’s two reasons for an early start.
–we have already played two football games. I’m guessing attendance was light because we no longer have Mique Juarez, and school is not yet in session.
–AP testing takes place in May. It seems wise to start early and get two extra weeks of instruction, rather than start late, take the test in May, and have a month of post-AP “work” that isn’t as important as the work leading up to the test.
I’m sure our district has great reasons for not changing, but I’m also guessing that other districts have great reasons for starting early. I just listed two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6t0oc4AQrY

I don’t feel like writing today, but since I love lists, here are my goals for my students this year. I also love dashes.

Students will
–speak and write like human beings and communicate like humans should
–question everything
–sell me this pen (even if they don’t believe their argument, they should still recognize the other side and “sell it”)
–try new things
–own their rock (just like Sisyphus)
–understand their audience and adapt accordingly
–consider their brand and present it favorably

I know, you probably wanted me to write that they should synthesize, analyze, annotate, imply/infer, write an essay with a thesis statement that drives the action and builds tension. I want that, too; but teachers have been wanting that from students since they were in elementary school. Of course we’re going to tackle everything that is English, but this is their THIRTEENTH year in English (most of them, at least).

Because, really, in the grand scheme of things, what are your goals for your kids?

I love that I’ve already received criticism from folks saying, “Oh, people don’t want to read your negative posts,” or “You better watch out what you post,” or “Why do you still like listening to Kraftwerk?” I get it.
But the deal is simple–many moons ago I started a book. It was called School Suck, my MFA final project at Long Beach State (go Beach–this is your year). Finishing that book someday would be cool and give me something to hand down to my family name and make MILLIONS of people happy by reading it.
Consider this a way to write down the happenings at North High School, or any school, for that matter. If I don’t write them down, they will be forgotten. Forgive my honesty, but don’t think think that everything is negative. There is not ONE DAY at school where I don’t laugh from my gut, at and with students and faculty.
I am proud to teach my students, for they write and tell me nice things now and again. I also realize that some of the students who don’t write and say nice things might figure things out later on. For years, it’s this honesty that I’ve tried to pass on to my son and those around me. I might lie to you and tell you that those jeans look great for your ensemble, but it’s not in my nature to tell someone they are doing something swell when they are not.
Last year, at North High, we had so many things happen that will just be forgotten. Orwell would not appreciate this. Nor shall I.

He who controls the past, controls the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHKurSrRaFQ
It’s the joke my next-classroom neighbor and I make on an almost-daily basis. From the distant confines of my room, complete with speakers hooked into my laptop, I blast Guns’n’Roses cover of “Ain’t it Fun?” which immediately asks the musical question.

The answer is always, “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo.”

My name is Tom Stover. I teach at North High School in Torrance, CA. This is my blog.

Ain’t it fun?