Reverence

I emailed my director yesterday with a question.  In these trying financial times, one would be remiss to not see about getting handle on one's position in the school district.  I'm not so much worried about having a job.  I know I have one.  It's the "what" and "where" that interest me.

My job involves working with a very targeted population of students that represents a rather small percentage of the whole.  If there don't happen to be all that many of these students in one particular school, then I need to go where there are more of them.  That is logical.  It does, however, mean that I move around a lot.  I also tend to follow students through the grades and there are some who will be subjected to my Tender, Loving Care for years.  And years.  And years.

My question to my director was this: Given that there is a new program being developed at the high school courtesy of our lovely new Stimulus Money, how long will it be before I find myself transferred?  I don't much care where I'm going.  I just like to have a general idea before I head off for yet another teaching destination.  I started in this district with kindergarten kids.  Six years later, I'm teaching middle school.  You can see where I might be questioning my future...

She responded promptly because she is a prompt sort of person.  She is also organized and highly productive.  That is a good quality in a director.  She told me that I should not worry about being transferred from my current position.  I will be staying put.  She informed me that she didn't dare move me since I was so revered at my new school.  She feared repercussions.

This poses a problem.  Not the part where I know where I'm going to be next year.  That is good because now I can plan ahead.  And while I don't exactly trust her prediction that I will be in a stable sort of situation for years given that the stimulus money isn't going to last forever, it does seem like something I can bank on for the time being.

No...it's the "revered" part that concerns me.  I do not wish to be revered.  Don't get me wrong.  A little validation is great.  I'd take "appreciated," "approval," or "in line for a cash bonus."  Revered is too much.  Revered is a great height from which to fall.  And if you can count on anything in this crazy, mixed up world, it is that you will always tumble when you least expect it.  Tumbling from a place of reverence is going to be painful.  

Plus, this is The Bad Job At The Middle School That No One Else Would Take And Into Which I Was Transferred Without Consultation In Order That I Might Perform Miracles.  I feel guilty now every time I think of it in this way.  The BJATMSTNOEWTAIWIWTWCIOTIMPM reveres me and I don't feel the same way.  I might consider being friends with it someday.  But I'm never going to love it the way it loves me.  It will be one of those ugly break-ups where no one ever really gets past the bad feelings.  

I thanked my director for the information and suggested to her her that "revered" (while a lovely sentiment) might be too strong a word.  And that I might be described a little differently depending upon the speaker since no one is revered by everyone.  Especially not people in my position...

I'm fighting The Reverence.

I think I'm glad I switched over to sock knitting.  The "dishcloth" (with sleeves) is just far too stressful for me while I find ways to be less revered.  Socks are simple and progress is quick if you stay the course.  My own particular sockie moved into the heel flapping state today while I rode the little exercise bike.  I like a nice simple sock.  It's just regular.  I appreciate it for its normal, predictable functionality.  That's all I really need.

Lastly and on an entirely different topic, I had a few comments regarding my tale of the Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty and his ability to rearrange the furniture.  To answer your question, let me say, "Yes...and no."  

No.  He has yet to pick up the sofa so I can vacuum under it.  (Not that I ever would...so it's not really a big deal that he can't)  Anything of a large and solid nature is safe.  Well...except me.  He's tripped me up a few times and I'm pretty large 'n solid.

And, yes.  He has knocked my spinning wheel aside in an attempt to get at a toy (no damage, he just puts it a bit askew) and has taken out a few dining chairs as he rockets about the manse.  He has also managed to flip the rocking recliner back so that it gets jammed under the window and stuck in a permanent "rocked back" state.  Don't even ask about my poor footstool.  He doesn't care that I assembled and painted it myself.  He just wants it clear of his toy-chasing path.  

He's an active kitty.  And not quite two years old.  Further, he wasn't neutered until after he got all his Big Boy features so he's rather solid.  (At least that's what they told me at the shelter...maybe he would have been a giant mutant cat even if he'd been fixed as a kitten.  What do I know?)  If he wants to move the furniture, I'm not going to stop him.  I can't stop him.  He's a force of nature.

Revere me...or else!!!!

SA