Stuck In The Middle

Way back in the distant past, in a year called 2000, I completed Graduate School.  It was a high point for me.  And I made myself a little promise upon receiving that very expensive piece of paper.  I said to myself, "Sheepie...you are done teaching Middle School!"

I'd been teaching at the middle level for a very long time and felt that the whole thing had been done to death.  I was ready for a change.  Something new.  Something different.  I like to switch things up every now and again.  I was done with Middle School!

So you can imagine my joy at being told I was going to be transferred to The Bad Job At The Middle School That No One Else Wants And Which We Desperately Need You To Take Over And Fix Because We Have Screwed It Up Beyond All Belief.  

You probably heard my cries.  You might have mistaken them for happiness.  I was faking it.

Middle School is a tricky time for kids and even more tricky for those who have to educate them.  The scheduling is weird because there is no other way to cover all the things that need doing.  The curriculum is intense.  There are lots of duties because Middle School kids are really quite adept at finding new and interesting ways of wreaking havoc.  You sort of need to be one step ahead of them if there is any hope of the building remaining standing.  And then there are the dances...they expect you to chaperone them.  For free.  Gah!

Ironically, I happen to be rather good at teaching Middle School kids.  I sort of "get" them.  Witness this conversation from the second day of school which begins with my expression of displeasure over a student's choice of behavior:

Ms. Sheep:  Dude...seriously?  

Student Who Has Never Met Me Before This Year:  Excuse me...did she just say, "Dude?"

Student Who Has Had Me As His Teacher Since Fourth Grade And Is No Longer Surprised When He Sees Me At His New School Because He Thinks I Am Stalking Him:  Yeah...she's cool like that.

And it never takes long for administrators to catch on to the fact that I might be their Middle School Savior.  So I'm back to teaching Middle School.  Again.  The good news is that Middle School teachers are pretty serious about their contracts so I am finally getting a lunch break where I can do a little knitting and relax without the presence of bickering children.  This is the first time in five years I've been able to do that.  I may even get that sock done...

That might make the whole transfer worth it.  Maybe.  It certainly is nice to have an actual lunch break, I must admit.  But, to be frank, I think the best strategy in this sort of situation is simply keeping my sense of humor.  Seeing the potential for the funny in life is really what has kept me from donning a tinfoil hat and wearing mismatched slippers up to this point.  

Here's a picture that will help me in that endeavor, I think.  It requires a little set up, though.  You need to know that it is not one of those shots that you "just happen to catch."  I had ample time to come into the living room, burst out laughing, recover, get the camera, focus, laugh again, and then have to start all over.  That is a very long time for this sort of pose to be held.  

And that is why it is so funny.

SA