Ugh. I hate parents. I hate stupid people. Do I even need to say it? The book saga continues.
My AP parent emailed again a week ago wanting to know if we decided anything about the objectionable content in "The Natural." I wanted to email them back and say, "yes, there weren't NEARLY enough nipples in it, that's the problem." Of course I didn't email that back. I stayed very diplomatic and non-committal even if I wanted to just call the parent an ignorant idiot who is not helping their kid in the long run.
I am SO going to get fired.
Anyways, another parent has been waging a complaint about the novel The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (again, citing sexual content). My principal has refused to give the English department an overall "objectionable content policy" to use and prefers to deal with these things on a case-by-case basis. Well, that's all fine and good, but after a lengthy email from me last week detailing (and forwarding) the emails I received about The Natural, my principal still hasn't responded. We've got curriculum night next week and my department head and I feel like the English department will be facing the firing squad. Gee, I can't wait. I think I'll fill my Nalgene bottle with vodka...
To make matters worse, my dept. head got an email from a parent suggesting that there be a board to determine what books are suitable to have in the English curriculum. I am HIGHLY offended by such an idea. So, you're telling me that with my three degrees in English (BA, MA in English and Education and MA in English Lit) that I don't have enough sense to decide what books my students are capable of reading critically? Bullshit! Honestly, if it comes to that, I think my principal will have to prepare to hire an entirely new English department. See, here's the other piece of this. A number of years ago (between when I graduated from the school and when I was hired there) some parents objected to the novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany" because they felt it was sacreligious. The school developed a board consisting of at least one priest and my current department head as well as others who read the book and decided it was ok for the students to read. Despite the board accepting the novel, one individual, a priest at a local and very conservative Catholic parish, badgered the acting principal into rejecting the book. So, despite the board's informed decision, the book was still dropped from the curriculum because of a single individual's decision. I can see this happening all over again and I will NOT be part of that bullshit should it come to that. I don't think I'm alone either. Maybe I'm am, but I can tell you, I won't put up with that. I might not quit on the spot, but he can be sure I won't be back next year.
I want to tell my AP parent, "look, I'm making him think critically. We're talking about Aristotle's classical piece,
Rhetoric, the kids are using ethos, pathos and logos easily in their class discussion, they can't now watch an advertisement without critically analyzing the images and considering who the audience for a certain piece is, they're noticing these things without me even asking them to and (even better) then bringing the things they notice back to class for discussion. Doesn't that count for anything??! No, they just worry that nipples are mentioned in one of the novels we'll read later in the year. It doesn't matter that right now we're using Aristotle's theories on writing and language, it doesn't matter that these kids are studying (and understanding!) things most kids don't get to until they're in college. Sigh. It's so distressing. It really is.
I suppose some if it might be a moot point if Jon and I take off for places unknown next year...he's encouraging me to pursue writing and while that's really scary, it's also really exciting to have someone be supportive of this...After a day like this, I'm SO ready to take off.
Not to mention, I'm sort of being headhunted by the principal at Wife's school. Even though I told him three times now that I won't leave my school in the middle of the year (he was even discussing salary, and a salary that is a good $10,000 more than I make right now), he's still trying to get me to switch jobs. Thing is, as much as the parents make me batty, I like most of the kids. Dilemmas, dilemmas.
My Student Teacher has her moments of insight and making me want to cringe. I know it's a learning process, but I'm really wondering if she has the right personality for high school students. At least she isn't mentally ill. Shannon has a student teacher this semester who she says is the strangest person she's ever met (and having met some of the same people, this guy must be REALLY strange). Mine is a bit weird at times, but I don't think she's mental. I wonder if she can handle all the nuances of having your own classroom though. Oh well, it's really early. Maybe she'll get better.
In good news, I scored free tickets for the Rilo Kiley show at ROMT on Monday for a live review (and possibly a photo pass). I'm not their biggest fan, but it's a good career move since they're pretty big in the indie world (kinda like scoring a pass for the Bright Eyes show and Spin magazine LOVES them) and I was just offered (and accepted) the chance to interview Schoolyard Heroes. Again, a good career move because Sarah Lewitinn (Ultragrrrl) is the one that signed them and a) I love her bands, b) she's made sure quotes of my reviews end up on her bands' websites, c) I want bits of her life, she's so damn cool (juvenile to say, I know, but it's true).
I've got to get this writing career off the ground. I'm not sure I'm going to make it long at my school without some parent demanding I be fired (I gave the go-ahead on an article about ADHD drug abuse at the school provided the student who wanted to write it did her research and wrote a good, solid article. I told her I'd back her. Scarily, there will be some parents that, if the student completes her end of the bargain and writes a strong, well-researched piece, will want my skin). I am so dead.
Sigh.
Listening to: "Battlestar Anorexia" by Schoolyard Heroes
PS-The Hard Lessons show last Saturday ROCKED. I got The Anvil and Augie to sign my CD and even chatted for a bit with them. It was so cool. I fucking love them. Pictures to post when I'm not so pissy.
