Chilled

I'm here at work, trying to do work - thus the name. I've tried to break the habit of saying I'm going to or coming from school. It's work. And a calling. I just filled out a questionnaire for someone doing a thesis on why teachers become teachers. The questions were interesting; were you dissuaded from becoming a teacher, do you think teachers are respected, etc. It was well done, if a bit too heavy on a certain type of educational jargon and mindset for my taste.

A student just walked in and noticed that I was blogging. He was curious about my blog so we perused it together. He liked the picture in the Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan post and we watched a bit of the video. I think it's a remarkable piece, and this student was taken by it too.

Earlier this morning I was returning homeworks and a student said that my office is so chilled and that she hopes when she's older her office is just like mine. That comment made me feel good, reminded me of the time that a Spanish teacher I shared a classroom with told me that I brought good karma to the space. These comments mean a lot to me. We should all see the good in each other and when we see something say something (hey, that's catchy).

In giving back the homeworks, I said with regret that one student lost 15 points on one question. "That's OK," she said, "I really struggled with that one and knew I didn't get it right." Teachers (and insightful others) reading this will understand what an outstanding response that is - particularly from an honors student. To me that kind of contrition and respect reflects true honor.

I must be going, promises to keep, deadlines to meet - that sort of thing, you understand? Yesterday in a fast food store I ordered and said I was stepping next door and would be back in a minute. Then I added, "Is that OK?" (like I just wrote, "You understand?"). The worker snapped at me, saying something like, "You're the customer, don't ask me." Where does one buy a thicker skin? Where does one buy a first layer of skin?