Dropjhook, I had so much fun teaching at times I couldn't believe they paid me for the job. I had parents tell me their kids were sick with anxiety over school in the years before arriving at my class, then they didn't want to miss coming when they actually were sick. They didn't want to miss all the good stuff that was going on. Eventually, I went into business for the challenge and because of family. I don't regret the choice as I had a big mouth back then that would have eventually gotten me into trouble in what can be a very political profession. I have an even bigger mouth now so I would most certainly be fired if I was to return upon retired from my present work. Many administrators in education would be chewed up and spit out in little pieces in the business world due to incompetence. For some reason these same individuals can thrive and advance in educational circles while diminishing in character on their rise. A lack of character is not a recipe for success in business - we are more inclined to trust idiots with our educational system then with our finances. I reserve these sarcastic comments for the administrators who make the hard working teacher's job more difficult. There is no substitute for quality exchanges between teacher and student ... anything that gets in the way of that important exchange interferes with quality teaching. What is your question?... That is a good idea, what if you tried to... Do you understand the equation, let me show you..... Wow! That is brilliant, you need to get up and tell the rest of class your idea.... Something is bothering you and I don't think it has to do with this lesson... talk to me, maybe I can help. The bureaucracy of education gets in the way of that kind of dialogue and kids suffer and teacher burn out because of the intrusion. 'The important stuff gets buried under the stuff that is only made to look important to protect little people's jobs. It happens everywhere, it just happens to be especially damaging when it affects young people struggling through the system. So concludes today's lesson on possum!! Later Dropjhook!

Kody, I have never meet a human with normality :-) just people who convince thereselfs that there normal. Sir have you been drinking you mind steping out the car & repeating this 5 times sir "Possum Pals Playing Possum Protectors and Proponents of Possum Preservation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania salute the efforts of our fellow Possum Pal, Mr. Wolfe. His efforts exemplify the highest order of conduct which all Possum Pal participants promise to provide possums" to funny

I would like to commend Mr. Wolfe's efforts to save the aforementioned possum. We the members of the recently formed P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P. or Possum Pals Playing Possum Protectors and Proponents of Possum Preservation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania salute the efforts of our fellow Possum Pal, Mr. Wolfe. His efforts exemplify the highest order of conduct which all Possum Pal participants promise to provide possums. While this may not be a time to muddy the waters we think it appropriate to suggest possums are entitled consideration within the new Health Care System. We encourage new membership, we do provide alcohol at our meetings and lots of it. We find it helps us commune with our furry friends.

Charlie Elk and Bo, I have decided there are so many nut cases around that I would just as soon laugh as cry. With a half bottle of tequila in me I'd still make more sense then what tries to pass for normal these days. Kindly pick a letter when presenting any future critiques and give us some stylish alliteration.... C for crazy would make a nice beginning.

Dropjhook
Years ago when I was a teacher I would get the kids motivated to write by sending notes to the neighboring class. As a class we would compose funny but insulting pieces to get a rise out of them using different literary styles like alliteration. There would be kids weak from laughter on the floor by the time we were finished. We would send someone on a suicide mission to deliver the message to our rivals. Soon we would hear a roar out of the other class and know there would soon be an equally nasty and entertaining response. I meet former students 25 years later who tell me it was the best year of their entire school life. Great to have fun and learn something at the same time. I try to do just that every day.

Flathead, One of the fun and revealing things about being a teacher was seeing parts of yourself when you were a kid in your students. Teaching a class of Kodys would have been a nightmare! You watch the class clown and think to yourself, "Man. I was that same kind of fool!". Perhaps you remember being a shy kid so you know how to help that wall flower guy or gal to feel special and become more as you managed long ago. Teachers have it tough but if they are allowed to focus on teaching and not the politics of education, the rewards are pretty damn wonderful. I miss it sometimes.

Hey fellas! As most of you know, I have been in a place where alcohol consumption is punishable by UCMJ.
So, when I got home the other night, I thought it would be fun to have a glass of Tequila (yes, Kody that is a weak spot for me too).
After what would have normally been considered a "small night-cap" for me, the room was spinning, I was able to speak fluent one-year-old with my son, my dogs made deep philosophical statements and my wife was telling me stuff like "No-no-no doggies licking people does not mean that people have to lick them back."
Man, I have got to start practicing my Tequila drinking again. Kody, next round is on me!

kody, thanks for the laugh I needed it!

Kody, having fun keeps us young & heathy I wish we had more teachers out there with that kind of mentality.

Seadog, I would not have done as well teaching without the support of my wife. I use to say to admin people who preached to the new teachers about 'accountability', 'feedback' and 'progress reporting procedures' they expected too much. I was acknowledged as being good at my job but even with my experience I knew I couldn't do what they were asking and still be worth a damn by the end of the year. How can you expect these novices to accomplish was you are asking when your pro's know it not only can't be done it should not be done? You would simply have been too exhausted. In business, you cope with making money or losing money. The only real problems are the ones that money can't fix.. that spells trouble and worry.. In teaching, 'most' of the problems are ones that money can't fix and it places a heavy burden on the shoulders of the teachers.
School boards like to showpiece low teacher to student ratios. Typically, they factor the admin, curriculum and supervisory people into those numbers which is very misleading. It is the kind of misrepresentation that would get you fired or audited in business. The consequences for the teacher in the trenches can be seen by the tired faces in the staff rooms by week's end.

Captain, I believe I speak for us all when I say Welcome back. I am glad you made it safely home. I appreciate the job that you do and have done. Enjoy life back in the world.

Welcome Home Captain. Sounds like a sweet homecoming, at least the parts you remember. Like yourself I am especially brilliant after a few shots of tequilas. Funny how the world makes more sense when your brain is only seeing so much. I can only imagine the pleasure you must of felt upon seeing your young son after so long an absence. Enjoy!

a buddy of mine was drunker than well you know we were all on the porch and here comes a little black critter around the corner he proceeds to call here kitty kitty and when it wouldnt come he decided to give chase well if you havent guessed it was a skunk we didnt have the heart and we were laughing are arses off.

I just love a man with a flat possum

I didn't follow Red Green that much.. however, I feel something is missing without a roll of duct tape handy in every truck, tool box, car trunk and shop, I treat hockey like a religion,use snowshoes in the winter, have two best friends who happen to have 4 legs, like firearms of all kinds and am prepared to to discuss them in social situations with an audience hostile and I like to say,"Eh!". I may not be a member but I would not be thrown from the lodge.

DARN Captain! your giving me flashbacks, now I'm headed for the VA ER for retreatment! just kidding, but worth saying :)

Thanks for the welcome-back gents. I am headed back in a couple of weeks as this is only half-time (aka R&R). I will return rested (and maybe slightly hungover to the fight).
Take care of yourselves. I realized that I had not posted much over the past few weeks, but I have been away from computers for a while.