otoh

I got this email from a colleague today (only slightly edited):

I have to share something funny with you. A girl was in my hall today, looking lost and confused.

“I’m looking for Mr. VanSant,” she said, clutching her orange schedule.

“He’s just around the corner,” I replied. “Room NNN.”

She wrinkled her brow, concentrating hard on the paper before her. “No, it says room RRR.”

I gently wrestled the paper from her, and saw where she was looking. It said ENGLISH II, and under teacher name it said VACANT.

Just thought it was funny/sad. She ended up in the right room, in a class she apparently really, really needs.

So, of course, I wrote back:

If Vacant is the worst thing I was called today, I’m doing really well! Did she have Intensive Reading on her schedule too?

My first day went reasonably well — only the stuff I already knew was going to be screwed up was screwed up.

Apparently I’m even more notorious popular than I imagined. And trust me, I’ve been called confused with much worse than “vacant”.

My first day back with students did go reasonably well. And in my experience with all big bureaucracies, if the only things that are screwed up are things that you already knew were screwed up you’re doing well. It’s when they throw surprises at you or things (students, parents, lesson plans, etc.) blow up in your face that really tests your mettle. It’s what separates the professional from the whimpering mass in the corner. But nearly all of us have been there at one time or another….