Sunday, March 6, 2016

Slump vs Pump

It's March and I feel slumpy, classroom slumpy.  I suppose it doesn't help that, out of curiosity, I find out that I could retire with some nice benefits in seven years.

Seven years? That's nothing.     Seven years? That's eternity--when you are feeling slumpy. 

I tell a colleague how I am feeling. What is wrong with me? "You are feeling your age!" she said brightly. "You are tired of the yearly troubles. I'm leaving when I turn 55." She is turning 50 this month. 

Well. There are yearly troubles. (My biggest complaint is that my district has NO PLAN to implement for students who can't read at grade level. Somehow they are supposed to just learn by being around others who can? Is reading osmotic? Doesn't W., who reads at the 3rd grade level,  need some actual instruction and practice? Doesn't J., who reads independently at the 4th grade level, deserve better? Why are there three Fs in my class? Hm, I invite you to look at their reading levels.) But this feels different.

Friday comes and I attend the Lamb's Players performance of "The Miracle Worker." I'm completely familiar with the story to the point that when we enter the theater and see the water pump where Helen will connect finger spelling with objects ("Everything has a name!" says Annie. "If I can just teach her one word..."), my eyes get misty. The set is inspired--all gray shapes except for the dining table, Annie's bed, and the pump, because shapes are the way Helen experiences the world's layout. At one point, Annie is reading aloud from her mentor, Dr. Anagnos: "Obedience is the key to education..." and I chuckle, because as a middle school teacher there seems to be so much resistance.

The play continues with Annie as frustrated as can be with her pupil's lack of progress and stubborn resistance. Yet giving up is the furthest thing from Annie's mind. She speaks of the mind as being the world, of the gift it is, of the privilege of helping another person open to it. My face has silent tears running down.

When the light breaks on Helen's face--when W-A-T-E-R marries the cool liquid on her fingers--my heart sings. When Helen bangs the pump to know what it is, I smile. When Helen touches Annie who spells out T-E-A-C-H-E-R, my slump packs its unwelcome bags and leaves.
Let there be light

9 comments:

  1. Nice read.. Not only is finding a good college for yourself a good practice but it also plays the important role of boosting confidence. My College Route has been around for some time and has already numerous students to get into the college of their dreams. Visit: Top MBA Colleges in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Guys! I am Polly, a writer, blogger and occasional newspaper journalist. I am currently taking my master's degree in communication, while also working as writing associate for an . Balancing work and studies can be a bit tedious. Sometimes I see mysef staring blankly outside of the classroom window because of stress. Like other students I struggle with writing my essays, and doing reports, essay writers but essay writing service so far I am doing fine. It is tiring to juggle work and studies but I really want to finish graduate school. To cope with stress

    ReplyDelete
  3. play bazaar


    play bazaar When you've decided on a plan, be very careful filling out your application. If you write anything that is dishonest, or if you make simple mistakes, the policy could become null and void or it could be denied.

    ReplyDelete
  4. One of the most important things that you can do for your skin is to always remember to wear your sunscreen. Apply numerous times a day so that you can prevent signs of aging and premature wrinkles. If you make sure that you have sunscreen on at all times your skin will thank you by looking younger and softer in the future. Play Bazaar satta king

    ReplyDelete
  5. Adults who are interested in muscle should look into a supplement called creatine. satta king

    ReplyDelete
  6. You can avoid getting premature wrinkles and melanoma by staying out of the sun too often.
    satta king

    satta king

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have carefully drawn our pricing plan, bearing in mind, the affordability of our target audience, which are mostly students. Thus availing our cheap essay writing service online USA based is never a burden for anyone as it is carefully drafted over student’s affordability.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is become bigger and biggest because now Judi Slot online - you can win thousand of dollars in every week and major things you have done.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think this is a great idea! I think it would be a lot of fun and would help kids learn the skills they need.
    Click: Buy MCA Leads

    ReplyDelete