Edubabble and other Blither

I have become one of them. It's taken almost 14 years, and I said it would never, ever happen, but as with so many other things in my life, it has come to pass and makes me a hypocrite yet again. These other things have included: drinking, smoking, cursing, having sex with boyfriends, having sex with acquaintenances, getting an SUV, being overweight, and certainly countless others, although not in that order.

I am one of them, meaning those teachers who just want to do their job, do not want to attend yet another in-service that will make no difference in education. One of those teachers who do not want someone who hasn't stood in front of his own class in over ten years tell me what I should do when I stand in front of mine.

I am one of them, meaning someone who no longer cares about a dog and pony show. Someone who just wants to see all her classes for at least two weeks in a row, is that so wrong?? Someone who realizes we cannot do it all. We cannot make sure the students are well-fed, well-mannered, have high self-esteem, get high test scores, do not have high BMI's.

I am someone who wants the kids to appreciate the beauty and power of words, to know they can harness that beauty and power. I want them to think about things other than eliminating wrong answers and did they score high enough on the practice test to be kept out of a remedial math or reading lab next year?

I am one of them, meaning I don't tell my higher-ups what they want to hear. I try to ask the unpopular, difficult questions. I announce that the emperor has no clothes.

Who am I kidding? I do announce that the emperor has no clothes. My professional self is vociferous. My regular self, not so much.