Talkin' First Day of High School Walking Blues

So today was day one for me.  It was the first day of school and I gotta say it was kind of strange to be back in the classroom . . .

I'm sitting in the living room drinking my Diet Coke, my wife is in the kitchen cooking up Fettuccine Alfredo, I'm listening to Loudon Wainwright III, and writing my blog.

Day one starts off always the same.  Seating chart so I can learn the names, passing out books and syllabi, making bad jokes and talking about what to expect from the class.  This year I'm teaching world history to sophomores, British Lit to seniors and Honors English to the uninitiated . . .

I'm sitting in the living room drinking my Diet Coke, my wife is in the kitchen cooking up fettuccine alfredo, I'm listening to Seu Jorge, and writing my blog.

Every year they tweak the expectations, both from the high school administration, and from the district office. This year we have a new principal, vice-principal, and progressive discipline plan.  The Junior high ain't got enough teachers and the high school is short a shop teacher and a full time English teacher . . .

I'm sitting in the living room drinking my Diet Coke, my wife is in the kitchen cooking up fettuccine alfredo, I'm listening to Neil Young, and writing my blog.

So I told my stupid jokes and got a few laughs.  I invited all my students to come along for the ride, and I think I got somewhere today.  I know I got a long way to go but I hope a few will still be with my by the time the year comes to an end and that would be something, after all, to be proud of as I walk home . . .

I'm sitting in the living room drinking my Diet Coke, my wife is in the kitchen cooking up fettuccine alfredo, I'm listening to Bon Iver, and writing my blog.