Technically, I'm Teaching. Honestly, I'm Bored

It's 9 am, and I'm working.
This is work.
Sitting here and typing is work.

Well, actually, I'm embellishing. I'm paid to sit, writing is a luxury. Teachers gush about the "rewards of teaching," and I usually agree, it's satisfying. Today, however, "guest teaching" is a chore, because I've been assigned to on-site suspension. Slip on as many pairs of rose-colored glasses you'd like, "guest teaching" onsite is not rewarding. The kids are required to sit quietly, and therefore, I sit quietly, reading, typing. Occasionally reprimanding, "don't say fuck," "don't call her a bitch," disrupts the boredom.

In here, the students are inmates, and I moonlight as warden. Am I swooning, intoxicated with power? Not exactly. I wish I were intoxicated, though, chewing on a cyanide pill, because, ironically, I'm oppressed. Maria the Hall Monitor has a new assignment today, assisting Paul the Guest Teacher. O' and how our teaching styles vary! Maria is curt, condescending and indifferent to the students’ opinions, and, shocker, the students despise her. They alternate between insulting and ignoring her. In BM (Before Maria), these kids were tolerable. They're not bad, just a little mischievous. Sure, signs about the room insisting, "stay seated," " no talking," "no music," "no makeup or grooming," are ignored, but I'm ok with that. When I give these kids some slack, they're very friendly, they listen, and they quiet down.

I think I'm done with my rant. My stray thought has morphed into a lesson about teaching. Ha! A few days guest teaching and I'm ready to share my wisdom. Heed my words!