Fall

"Summer", as teachers call it, came and went, and by late July, "Fall" began, or, our return to school.  It was hot.  It was ridiculous.  But, I was determined to have a good year, as it would be my last before searching for a new school or a new opportunity within my district, which would be re-configured for the 2019-20 school year.

I started my work at the Center as well.  Our leader is gone and things are...difficult.  I was assigned a group of twelve, though the cap was supposed to be eight-ish.  And, an additional four third graders, making it a group of sixteen, "small group tutoring", below grade level children that are living in poverty.  A fellow teacher was assigned to co-teach, though we had no time to organize any sort of arrangement, as the children sat in front of us.

During the first weeks of normal school, a fellow teacher arrived early, which means really early as our report time is 7:15 in the morning, to find a naked man sleeping on the basketball court behind the trailer where his classroom is located.  He calmly told him to put his pants on, which laid beside him on said basketball court, and called the police.

As parents drove up to drop their children off, and teachers and administrators tried to find parking spots, a half naked man stood ranting, as the small town police triangulated, taking a really long time to haul him off.

"What was your favorite part of your day?" I asked the massive group of children at the Center, while they slapped each other and fucked around.

"I saw you.  I saw you in the hall.  I saw Miss Wagner at school."

I was happy to see you, too.  I was happy that you were there.  I thought it was sweet that you hugged me.  I have your back.  I will take care of you.