Day Fifty-Four?

For those of you just tuning in, "This Guy is Falling" follows the educational exploits of Mr. Birds-Eye, a high school teacher in his third year of teaching, traditionally the make or break year in the profession. Fearing that he has finally reached his wits end, Birds-Eye decides to write a blog in hopes that he can reboot his year by focusing on the positives of the profession.

And I'm happy to report that it's been working.


Had an interesting day.


My juniors continued to watch Milk, ending on the scene where Harvey Milk gains the straight publics' support by passing a San Francisco city ordinance fining dog owners who fail to pick up their puppy's poop.


After that, we discussed the death of Osama bin Laden. It was interesting to hear the kids' reactions. Most of my students were very young when Sept. 11th happened (6-8 years old) so for all intent and purposes the guy was the bogey man for almost their entire  lives.


Their reactions ranged from the ridiculous: "Does this mean they're going to find Tupac next?"


To the pessimistic: "It's all a conspiracy by our government to control us."


I, myself, was shocked. I thought he died years ago. I mean the guy had kidney problems and needed dialysis, right? At least that's what jaded people like myself thought. And now years later, he's really dead.


As I reflect on this event, it makes me realize that I really don't know shit. If anything, Osama bin Ladan's death is a wake up call, challenging my cynical side to reevaluate itself.


As my class continued the discussion, I found myself in a discussion with a kid who reminded me a lot of myself at his age. By the age of sixteen, I had seen Oliver Stone's JFK several times, and I was convinced you could trust no one. 


This kid today echoed that sentiment prompting me to say, "You know that's all bullshit. Sure bad things happen, but you just got to live your own life. Now you have two choices, you can spot the bullshit, and step over it or you can step right into and track that stuff all over your life and soil the time you have."


Thank Harvey Milk for helping me  realize that.


And that in a nutshell is why I still like teaching.


Signing off.


Birds-Eye