Saturday, June 19, 2004
The secretary's party
They invited me for the Friday, the last Friday of the school year. Brigida, the personnel secretary, wanted me to bring Donna. Evelyn was quiet about the party. I was not looking forward to it because they had a similar party for the outgoing guidance counselor that was given the boot last year. I felt like the next virgin to be sacrificed to the Saddle Brook god. Donna couldn't come; actually she didn't want to be around the people that did me in.
That wasn't exactly the case. The old farts scheduled their own party at the very same time. That meant that only the good people would be there. She still didn't want to go. I don't blame her.
I went to Carucci's, a run down Italian bar and restaurant on the corner of Saddle River and Pelehe Ave. There were a few people there already. They wanted me to take the center seat with Evelyn my secretary on my left and Rob Porfido, my MS Vice Principal on my right. Brigida and the other secretaries were on the corner of the "U" table setup. I took off my tie and I was offered a glass of wine. We loosened up while the other teachers came in from their contract voting meeting. We were served thin crust pizza and chicken fingers and penne pasta with vodka sauce. it wasn't a lot, but it filled me up.
Brigida got everyone's attention and said some kind things about me. She especially said that I kept an immaculate office. I guess that was important for her and it had never happenned before. She then presented me with a flower basket with an orchid, a bromalise and an ivy plant in it. She also gave me a card with a 100 dollar gift certificate from American Express.
I got up and said that I learned much while ecperience the past two years at the Brook. The most important thing I learned was that relationships were more important than anything else in education. I said I have made some wonderful freinds here and I will miss them the most. I thanked them for being themselves and being a part of my life.
Rob got up to say that he was not an administrator before he met me. He believes that he has learned the essence of administration from me. That was truly humbling. I then went around the room to talk to everyone and thank them for coming. I gave Brigida a big hug and thanked her for the party. I guess I did love it after all. Since I truly love working with people, I did like being with them one last time.
That wasn't exactly the case. The old farts scheduled their own party at the very same time. That meant that only the good people would be there. She still didn't want to go. I don't blame her.
I went to Carucci's, a run down Italian bar and restaurant on the corner of Saddle River and Pelehe Ave. There were a few people there already. They wanted me to take the center seat with Evelyn my secretary on my left and Rob Porfido, my MS Vice Principal on my right. Brigida and the other secretaries were on the corner of the "U" table setup. I took off my tie and I was offered a glass of wine. We loosened up while the other teachers came in from their contract voting meeting. We were served thin crust pizza and chicken fingers and penne pasta with vodka sauce. it wasn't a lot, but it filled me up.
Brigida got everyone's attention and said some kind things about me. She especially said that I kept an immaculate office. I guess that was important for her and it had never happenned before. She then presented me with a flower basket with an orchid, a bromalise and an ivy plant in it. She also gave me a card with a 100 dollar gift certificate from American Express.
I got up and said that I learned much while ecperience the past two years at the Brook. The most important thing I learned was that relationships were more important than anything else in education. I said I have made some wonderful freinds here and I will miss them the most. I thanked them for being themselves and being a part of my life.
Rob got up to say that he was not an administrator before he met me. He believes that he has learned the essence of administration from me. That was truly humbling. I then went around the room to talk to everyone and thank them for coming. I gave Brigida a big hug and thanked her for the party. I guess I did love it after all. Since I truly love working with people, I did like being with them one last time.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Sensations of the end
I am in a long sleeved shirt, wool trousers, and a tie. I wear socks that go to my knee and leather shoes. I took off the silk sports jacket long ago because I walk through zones of AC and no AC. The humidity in the halls would wilt lettuce in two seconds, then the office has air conditioners that are yelling in our faces trying to do their job.
When I walk down the halls I instantly go into Army Officer training mode; I walk in a measured pace and swing my arms in equal distances from my body fore and aft. I curl my fingers and thumbs into a neat configuration as I was trained before turning "blue" as an officer's candidate at Fort Benning, Georgia. If I have an object in my hand it goes in the left hand and remains fixed next to the body while the right hand continues to swing in the prescribed arc. This method of moving through the halls keeps me calm and ordered. I keep calm. I don't rush things. I know people are watching me. Sometimes kids and teachers salute me in the halls. They know he stance and respect it.
The rigors of going from cold to hot and humid environments eventually wear down my human resistance in spite of my efforts to maintain order and civility. One of my teachers say I have blood-shot eyes and I look tired. I don't feel it, but my body says otherwise. I notice that I have no tolernce for petty problems at the time. I want to be with the kids and talk to the teachers; I don't want to hear a parent complain that they have to pay a book fine. Just pay it!
I freshened up after the day because I had another interview. I felt the cool water on my face and after drying, I closed my eyes and sprayed some witchhazel on my face to tighten up the bags. It felt cool. I also put a little cologne in the bottle and smell the fresh scent that is now drying on my skin. I look in the mirror and see this person with bags under his eyes and hair gone from the top of his head and can hardly recognize him. Time and stress take a big toll on a body. Do I have to sleep upside down to help erase these indicators of age? I would rather get a good night's sleep, which is a real challenge these days.
Do I still feel like a kid? Yes. Do I look like a kid? Don't ask.
When I walk down the halls I instantly go into Army Officer training mode; I walk in a measured pace and swing my arms in equal distances from my body fore and aft. I curl my fingers and thumbs into a neat configuration as I was trained before turning "blue" as an officer's candidate at Fort Benning, Georgia. If I have an object in my hand it goes in the left hand and remains fixed next to the body while the right hand continues to swing in the prescribed arc. This method of moving through the halls keeps me calm and ordered. I keep calm. I don't rush things. I know people are watching me. Sometimes kids and teachers salute me in the halls. They know he stance and respect it.
The rigors of going from cold to hot and humid environments eventually wear down my human resistance in spite of my efforts to maintain order and civility. One of my teachers say I have blood-shot eyes and I look tired. I don't feel it, but my body says otherwise. I notice that I have no tolernce for petty problems at the time. I want to be with the kids and talk to the teachers; I don't want to hear a parent complain that they have to pay a book fine. Just pay it!
I freshened up after the day because I had another interview. I felt the cool water on my face and after drying, I closed my eyes and sprayed some witchhazel on my face to tighten up the bags. It felt cool. I also put a little cologne in the bottle and smell the fresh scent that is now drying on my skin. I look in the mirror and see this person with bags under his eyes and hair gone from the top of his head and can hardly recognize him. Time and stress take a big toll on a body. Do I have to sleep upside down to help erase these indicators of age? I would rather get a good night's sleep, which is a real challenge these days.
Do I still feel like a kid? Yes. Do I look like a kid? Don't ask.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Lenape Valley
I had another interview at Lenape Valley Regional HS. This was after a half day at Saddle Brook. It was so great to go back to a school that I knew form frequent visits when I was an administrator in Sussex and Warren counties. I knew where to go and got there in plenty of time. I asked God to help me with the question of why I wanted to move from Saddle Brook.
The interview went well. It began with the teachers, supervisors and the Superintendent ready to ask me questions in a room. The desk and chair they provided for me was too far away, so I took charge by finding a chair and setting it in the middle of the circle nearer to the panel. I answered the questions easily and emphasised that relationships were the most important thing to establish in order to affect change in the school climate. I have continued to hone my responses based on what I believe and what I have learned by working with so many different people.
After the interview the super told me he was building a team and that I was one of eight candidates. He would be narrowing it down to two to be recommended to the board. I told the super that I was looking at other positions as a principal. He told me he understood the situation at Saddle Brook, which gave me encouragement that he knew why I was not renewed. We shall see what happens.
On the way home I drove the back roads that I used to bike ride home from Roxbury many years before. I loved these roads, which are timeless and except for the pavement look like they were from the colonial days. It only took 50 minutes to get home, a great improvement from the present situation. I hope God will put me in a place where I can be effective and useful.
The interview went well. It began with the teachers, supervisors and the Superintendent ready to ask me questions in a room. The desk and chair they provided for me was too far away, so I took charge by finding a chair and setting it in the middle of the circle nearer to the panel. I answered the questions easily and emphasised that relationships were the most important thing to establish in order to affect change in the school climate. I have continued to hone my responses based on what I believe and what I have learned by working with so many different people.
After the interview the super told me he was building a team and that I was one of eight candidates. He would be narrowing it down to two to be recommended to the board. I told the super that I was looking at other positions as a principal. He told me he understood the situation at Saddle Brook, which gave me encouragement that he knew why I was not renewed. We shall see what happens.
On the way home I drove the back roads that I used to bike ride home from Roxbury many years before. I loved these roads, which are timeless and except for the pavement look like they were from the colonial days. It only took 50 minutes to get home, a great improvement from the present situation. I hope God will put me in a place where I can be effective and useful.
