12.10.2004
visitation
The following post was written offline and added later with a revised timestamp.
Went to visit the P. school yesterday. Unbelievable. For those of you who do not know, I taught at the P. school for three fantastic years. I knew that I missed the routine of going to school at the same time every day, the security of being in control of academic conversation, and the camaraderie of friends, colleagues, and students, but I had no idea that I missed it this much. And, from what I saw, I was missed as well.
Students came out of the woodwork to say hello: kids I didn’t even feel particularly close to greeted me with warmth and affection. And the students I was close to? They were overwhelming. I cannot name them by name, of course, but by descriptions, I hope that they will all know themselves. My former advisor group was especially kind, pulling me into their meeting and introducing me to their new advisor (and new Latin teacher). The students in the middle-school area crowded around me, same in the lunchroom. Students came to pull me away from conversations, saying that they had been let out of class to come fetch me. M.S. came to get me for Mrs. K., who had been my mentor two years ago, and whose guidance and kind friendship enriched my understanding of why it is that we teach. A.B. pulled me away from my lunch to get me to Mr. H.’s class. I understand he got extra credit for that one.
A very kind warm thank you and good luck to C.S. and E.S. who said hello to me in the hall, and who are waiting to hear from Yale (sucks!) University in the next couple of days. I wish them the best of luck. Even if it is Yale… The librarians were, of course, wonderful, as was the science department, with whom I used to go play cards every now and again. I understand I was only one week too late to get together for one such session. Not that, as a student, I have the money to spend anymore. I missed seeing Dr. A and Mr. P., as they were both out sick yesterday. I do miss them very much; they are wonderful. Mr. P. being a graduate of Oxford University, I especially wanted to touch base with him. However, Ms. L. and Mrs. D., also alumnae of study-abroad programs in Oxford, were happy to compare notes. Nice conversations about the Red Sox with Mr. B., Mr. G., and new Middle School head Mr. C., and conversations about the beating the Yankees with Mr. T., Ms. T., and Herr. L. And a special thank you to Mr. S., the guru of the P. school, whose calm and insightful conversations were instrumental in maintaining my grip on reality those three years. Finally, a warm thank you to the Language department, which remains populated with some of the most incredible people in education today. I love them all: they are phenomenal.
Of course, it’s the students who really shine, and who make each day fun. A.A. leads off my list of people who make each day fun, but only because I can’t imagine a day where she’s not in some sort of trouble. M.W., E.C., and M.Z. came by to say hello: those wonderful little counterculturals… D.K., who still corresponds with me, has really grown a lot! He’s going to go far. I wish that M.C. keeps up with his juggling, and that the whole men’s acappella group continues to blow people away. It was nice to see three superstar women of the 9th grade, J.D., O.D., and E.A., whose brilliance and poise and leadership embody the abilities of female students at the P. school. Kudos to A.S. and C.P. for continuing with Latin, and for all those who didn’t, too bad. I had a nice conversation with C.L. and L.J., who told me that my tests last year were a lot harder than the ones they’re facing this year. But instead of complaining (as they were often wont to do last year), they thanked me, noting that now they feel so much better prepared for Latin. I wish the best for the Quiz Bowl team, which is going up against some of the best schools in New Jersey this Saturday. I think they’re going to be terrific.
Can you tell? I miss these kids and teachers so much. Bless them all: I’ll be seeing them tonight at their annual winter concert. I can’t wait.
Meanwhile, I’m at Princeton now, and it’s a lot of fun too: I’m sitting in Firestone Library doing some research on this monster essay I’ve been set for the holiday. And I’m actually enjoying myself. Such fun!
Went to visit the P. school yesterday. Unbelievable. For those of you who do not know, I taught at the P. school for three fantastic years. I knew that I missed the routine of going to school at the same time every day, the security of being in control of academic conversation, and the camaraderie of friends, colleagues, and students, but I had no idea that I missed it this much. And, from what I saw, I was missed as well.
Students came out of the woodwork to say hello: kids I didn’t even feel particularly close to greeted me with warmth and affection. And the students I was close to? They were overwhelming. I cannot name them by name, of course, but by descriptions, I hope that they will all know themselves. My former advisor group was especially kind, pulling me into their meeting and introducing me to their new advisor (and new Latin teacher). The students in the middle-school area crowded around me, same in the lunchroom. Students came to pull me away from conversations, saying that they had been let out of class to come fetch me. M.S. came to get me for Mrs. K., who had been my mentor two years ago, and whose guidance and kind friendship enriched my understanding of why it is that we teach. A.B. pulled me away from my lunch to get me to Mr. H.’s class. I understand he got extra credit for that one.
A very kind warm thank you and good luck to C.S. and E.S. who said hello to me in the hall, and who are waiting to hear from Yale (sucks!) University in the next couple of days. I wish them the best of luck. Even if it is Yale… The librarians were, of course, wonderful, as was the science department, with whom I used to go play cards every now and again. I understand I was only one week too late to get together for one such session. Not that, as a student, I have the money to spend anymore. I missed seeing Dr. A and Mr. P., as they were both out sick yesterday. I do miss them very much; they are wonderful. Mr. P. being a graduate of Oxford University, I especially wanted to touch base with him. However, Ms. L. and Mrs. D., also alumnae of study-abroad programs in Oxford, were happy to compare notes. Nice conversations about the Red Sox with Mr. B., Mr. G., and new Middle School head Mr. C., and conversations about the beating the Yankees with Mr. T., Ms. T., and Herr. L. And a special thank you to Mr. S., the guru of the P. school, whose calm and insightful conversations were instrumental in maintaining my grip on reality those three years. Finally, a warm thank you to the Language department, which remains populated with some of the most incredible people in education today. I love them all: they are phenomenal.
Of course, it’s the students who really shine, and who make each day fun. A.A. leads off my list of people who make each day fun, but only because I can’t imagine a day where she’s not in some sort of trouble. M.W., E.C., and M.Z. came by to say hello: those wonderful little counterculturals… D.K., who still corresponds with me, has really grown a lot! He’s going to go far. I wish that M.C. keeps up with his juggling, and that the whole men’s acappella group continues to blow people away. It was nice to see three superstar women of the 9th grade, J.D., O.D., and E.A., whose brilliance and poise and leadership embody the abilities of female students at the P. school. Kudos to A.S. and C.P. for continuing with Latin, and for all those who didn’t, too bad. I had a nice conversation with C.L. and L.J., who told me that my tests last year were a lot harder than the ones they’re facing this year. But instead of complaining (as they were often wont to do last year), they thanked me, noting that now they feel so much better prepared for Latin. I wish the best for the Quiz Bowl team, which is going up against some of the best schools in New Jersey this Saturday. I think they’re going to be terrific.
Can you tell? I miss these kids and teachers so much. Bless them all: I’ll be seeing them tonight at their annual winter concert. I can’t wait.
Meanwhile, I’m at Princeton now, and it’s a lot of fun too: I’m sitting in Firestone Library doing some research on this monster essay I’ve been set for the holiday. And I’m actually enjoying myself. Such fun!
