First Week

I survived my first week of school.

Freshmen are insane. Funny, but insane. I love them. And I think they know it.

I forgot how terrifying being a freshman can be. When I was a freshmen, I had been going to the same school for nine years before that. I knew all my classmates, I knew all my teachers. These kids are coming from various junior high schools, are thrown into a class of 200 other freshmen, and have no idea where they are or what they are doing.

It's no wonder they all sat in their desks silent as the grave and trembling. By Friday they got a little farther out of their box, so I'm excited to see what happens in the next few weeks.

There is a very odd feeling in the school. All last week we were walking around with the feeling of doom hoovering around our heads. Well, doom is probably an overstatement. The upcoming strike hoovering over us. That's enough to cause tension.

And the kids know the tension is there. Well, some of them. They either know about it or don't, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground, unless you count the misinformed.

On Thursday and Friday, we had a debate where the students read news articles written from the different sides of the strike issue, then chose a side and argued for that side. Most of them were unwilling to talk, but most who did were very much misinformed about the issues, which isn't surprising. The media is making teachers the villains, saying all they are worried about it getting paid more. When there are so many other issues on the table, like smaller class sizes, getting paid for the time they work, benefits, displaced teacher plans, it's disheartening that pay is the most talked about issue.

So we should find out sometime tonight if we are on strike tomorrow. For me, that means going no where near the school or picket areas. I'm supposed to be neutral in the whole thing, an outsider. It's very hard. My cooperating teacher said they are fighting for me, for my future here in Chicago. It sucks not being able to fight for myself.

A press conference is called for 10:00 by the teachers union. We will know soon enough if my Monday will be full of students or the art museum.

Until next time.