Politics and Culture

Well, it had to happen some day: I ended my first real vacation in 13 years (I've always moonlighted whether at another school, the California Youth Authority, the Army, or someplace else like a Circuit City) and returned to work today. It had been a glorious two months filled with blogging and ...well, blissfully empty of everything else.

I work at a year-round school which means that the school is divided between three tracks. At any given time, two-thirds of the school population is attending classes, with the other third on vacation or off-track. The district proposed this as an alternative to new construction some years ago and has been a success, overall, despite some inconveniences to parents, mostly, who may not have their high-school students on vacation at the same time as their younger children. It works out well for teachers because we have an opportunity for more income if we choose to work off-track and we get four months off instead of the three months from traditional schools. The school days are a little longer to compensate for the shorter work year.

I'm teaching an ESL class, a regular English class, and two classes we call Life Skills which some teachers consider a waste of time, but I like because I have the more freedom to teach things that interest me. The students were very nice and cooperative. One particularly bright new student-in the country only a month, Saul, got my don't let the school ruin you speech where I point out that he's received a great gift by being able to attend an American school and have a chance to make a life in the United States; and to not waste it like many of his classmates. Do you know how many children in the world want to be in your seat right now? it starts.

I covered a class for an absent French teacher one period and we played, ask Mr. Guirado where they may ask me any tasteful question and I answer to the best of my ability. I got three Michael Jackson questions in a row followed by: 1. Will Saddam Hussein's death effect the economy? (no); 2. What's the difference between Muslims and Christians? (Muslims don't believe in the Trinity, but believe Mohamed was the prophet of God); and 3. Will China take over the U.S. (No, but like all countries except modern Europe, they will try to expand their influence in the world).

Anyways, look for more education-related posts in the future if you find them interesting.