Day One

One day down and 174 to go - so my father used to say about his school year. It went well. I was standing in the hall with  two men teachers whose rooms are near mine before the first bell. We are suppose to stand in the hall when the kids change classes. Anyway the two men teacher/coaches pretty much ignored me other than me putting in my two cents from time to time. They seem like nice enough young men, but a bit standoffish - kind of surprised every time I said something. An older man came down the hall and held out his hand to meet me and introduced himself as Gene. I think he may be a counselor of some sort from down the hall. I did have the thought that the elder generation had better manners.

Everyone eventually meandered away and I went back into my classroom wondering where the students were. Was my clock wrong? Didn't the bell ring? I went back out into the hall. Eventually Gene came by again and I asked him where the students were. In a slow Okie voice he said, "Well, everyone is meeting in the gymnasium this morning. Come along." Sure 'nuff, everyone was in the gym. Gene was nice enough to come get me. It was a good thang, too. The Principal called my name and introduced me as the new art teacher. I stepped out and waved to the school. I wanted to curtsy, but I was afraid I would have tripped and fallen in front of everyone. Then the Prince introduced another new counselor. Later I asked her if she had known about the meeting in the gym. She said no and she still didn't know what was going on. So it seems that everyone is a bit laid back at this school (or possibly thoughtless, but I like to believe the best in others). When we got back to our rooms, I gave the two teacher/coaches the what-for about leaving me behind. They said the old art teacher never talked to them. No excuses, boys! If you see me looking or doing something stupid or not doing something smart, let me know. I will return the favor.