okay, last week was ridiculously funny (in a not-so-funny way). something mildly to incredibly deltaesque happened every single freaking day, and it's only after two days of spending time with my peeps up in oxford that i can finally laugh at the sheer stupidity of it all. so i have to outline all of this for you, because nobody would believe that all of this could happen in the same week - except that i live in the delta.
MONDAY - came home from school to find out that if i ran the water from any faucet in my house that water would begin pouring from the base of the toilet, thus flooding the bathroom floor (and ruining half a dozen towels in the process); went to heather's, tried to work on project, became hopelessly distracted by the many treasures held within the walls of WalMart; had a call from margaret at 10 something telling me to stay in greenville because the house was still broken.
TUESDAY - woke up feeling sick, called in, drove home, spent day working on stuff for class; finally, after eight hours of landlord & co. working on the pipes via the big-ass hole in the front yard, they fix the plumbing; in the meantime, over at the school, one of the best reading teachers i know - somebody who has presented workshops to reading specialists and reading teachers alike - has been told that he hasn't been doing his job (by making the kids read), that they need to be doing worksheets instead.
WEDNESDAY - on my way out of school (going to a workshop), i'm handed a letter of intent with four choices: stay at the school next year, stay in the district but transfer to another school, retire (ha!), or work for another school district. i am told that i may go to my workshop, but the form (which was due in the central office two weeks ago) is due tomorrow morning. feeling pressured and indecisive, i checked the box confirming that i'd be here again next year.
THURSDAY - after meeting with the students who retook the subject-area tests, the principal tells us that too many of the students retaking the english 2 test didn't pass (again) and that the english department is the worst it has ever been in the history of our high school (whoops! almost put the name of the school!). way to be an encourager there, buddy. in addition, his staff has tracked each student and his or her teacher so that they can place the blame where it belongs. before the meeting adjourns, we are reminded that our jobs are on the line.
FRIDAY - the principal calls me out in the middle of our staff meeting. in front of god and everybody, he says that some of the staff has been insubordinate lately, then he mentions me by name. he even makes sure that everybody knows how i was insubordinate. had i done anything recently? um, no, this is the same damn thing that he put a letter in my file about. THREE BLOODY WEEKS AGO. since then, we've talked and i've been reassured that the man doesn't hold grudges. i think that his self-perception is seriously skewed.
sigh. at least this weekend was decent. it was good to see the kids again, and it was nice to sleep in a bigger bed and get my lesson plans done. tonight i went to another preaching extravaganza, which was fun. laurie's right; her brother's a natural preacher. it's interesting to hear his reading of the bible, especially as i've been missing my church lately. anyway, that's about it for me. maybe i'll have new adventures to post next week. love to all. g'night.