Sunday morning after an Oxford weekend, a rare moment of stillness, of peace.

First of all, someone requested thoughts on athletics. I've already written about this a bit, and its pretty simple. Athletics at a school where you are teaching are incredible. They make you so proud that these are your kids, and victory is so sweet in the midst of what feels like a thousand failures, even if you are only sitting on the side lines, coach or not. Even if the team doesn't win, seeing the kids care so much about something when they often seem repressed and turned of and worn out and too old and indifferent and angry and numb and hardened- not always, but not never- is a powerful medicine. Its like they get to physically fight for something in a way they know how, and it always seems like they are using the games to let out pent-up energy, like they are battling more than the other team. It's an escape, a refuge, and chance to stand up for something that they know how to fight for. I've always felt like athletics in the Delta have an air of emotional release, desperate happiness and enthusiasm that can wrap you up in an adrenaline rush that gets you awake and things and inspired again. And leave you in tears, tangled up in all the energy and seeing with perfect clarity (because you just get to be proud of them without worrying about whether or not they understand the lesson and whether or not they are supposed to be talking) that your kids deserve better that what they receive.

Anyway...

This week's been crammed- grades, four or five student recommendations by Friday for various summer programs, last day to requisition some chemicals that my principal agreed to allow me to order, starting new units in both chemistry and biology (which always makes me a little nervous because it usually means teaching something I've never taught before whereas topics tend to become routine, and explanations are easier after the twenty-fifth time answering the same question), assignments due Saturday.

Of course everyone's week is different, but we were all exhausted yesterday. A small group decided to stick around Oxford for dinner instead of going directly home last night. We talked a little, but for the most part it was a pretty quiet table. I loved it. Commonality of experience- knowing that we were all exhausted for the same reason, and probably all wanting company for the same reason- that seemed really comfortable and supportive. We all hugged goodnight before parting for another two weeks of separation and teaching and surviving.

After a good night's sleep, though, I'm more relaxed than I usually am, even on weekends. I know I have a thousand things to do, and I'll get there, but I also know that Sunday morning after Oxford is pretty much the only real down time in a string of up time, so it's easier not to feel guilty taking it. Event though everyone's worn out, it doesn't have quite the dire feel to it that it did a few months ago, and I think its even a bit more relaxed and hopeful- I think it has to do with the coming of summer-beginning to see the end, the energy from the kids, the warm weather. I also am beginning to realize how much I will miss them, and looking forward to doing everything differently next year so that I can do better by them.

We started the classification unit in biology this week that I have been looking forward to pretty much all year. I wanted to get through some of the molecular stuff first because it is important, and is also really the bulk of the curriculum- which we are required to followed, though I don't know how closely that is actually being checked, and if I get to teach Biology II next year I will definitely teach more what I think the kids will get the most out of and less what the state says. While I think the molecular stuff is great, the kids really don't get as much out of it, and really need a big picture first, especially since in their first year of biology, they learned how to pass a test. Anyway, there is really nothing on the curriculum for biology II that includes anatomy or physiology, so I pretty much just decided (after conference with Ms. Anatomy) to do a "classification" unit for the entire last nine weeks that involves dissecting different organisms and comparing them. Hey, its an in-depth classification study of at least one kingdom. That's as specific as the requirements are. Actually, I am trying to gear it toward comparing animals, which is really classification, and we'll talk about molecular phylogenies too. My kids are loving it so far, and I actually look forward to my biology classes.

I know I've already said this, but I am really looking forward to next year. There are so many things I know I could do better, and I am beginning to get anxious about getting there so I can do it right this time.

Hope everything is great in the world of teaching, job searching, getting through the weeks...we're getting there. See everyone soon.