Steve -- some of the students I have my best relationships with are kids who would be considered "difficult" by other teachers.  At lot of times it's just listening to them -- LISTENING, not judging or critiquing -- and giving them some respect.

One of the chaperones that was along on the Scottish excursion was a teacher who had been a picked-on student himself in high school.  He has terrible relationships with the kids because he vents all that bottled up anger at his own experience on them, ESPECIALLY kids who fit the roles of his former tormenters -- namely, our male lead, the kid who played "Aesop."  (There was one time it actually got ugly and I had to step in, which caused both sides to resent me.  But this guy was in the wrong, not the student -- and there's a terrible position to be in as a teacher!)  You don't become a teacher to get back at your high school experience.

It reminded me a little of kids who go into theatre as a profession because they want to be "stars."  They want to be famous, a celebrity.  These are always the kind of kids I try to discourage from choosing theatre as a profession, because they'll always -- ALWAYS -- be disappointed.  "If you can pay your bills and keep food on the table by doing theatre for a living," I tell them, "you're a success!  Most can't do that."

You don't become a teacher to get back at your high school experience.

No.  You drop out of Harvard start a software company and take over the world!

No.  You drop out of Harvard start a software company and take over the world!

Shhh!  Now everyone will know what I'm doing next year!

I let it be known at school that this is going to be my last year there.  THAT went over like a lead balloon.  Lots of reasons, none the least of which that there are five schools within easy biking distance from my house, but the headmaster was having none of it.  He said, "I won't allow it.  I won't accept your resignation."

Flattering as the sentiment is, it got me thinking.  Could someone really NOT accept a resignation?  My contract renews yearly, but it only beholdens me to another school year.  There's nothing to really hold a person to, is there?

Oh, my sister sent me a picture she found on her cell of Eric and me.  Here it is:

It's so tiny (just like Eric and me).

What a happy looking couple!

And no, Tom, he cannot keep you if you don't want to be kept (the principle I mean).  The 13th amendment and what not!

Geoff -- the "principal" is your pal!

These and other anal-retentive ramblings brought to you by Tom.  

Now, about that pesky 13th ammendment...

Geoff -- the "principal" is your pal!

That is embarrassing!

Don't be -- there WAS a principle involved...

I went to a small high school but it did have a large theater and a drama club. In grade eleven I decided to do something about my shyness and thought about joining the club, especially since I'd always had an interest in acting, and have a good strong speaking voice and a good memory. But there were rumors that the drama teacher had his pets and they always got the lead roles and if you agreed to do anything else then that's what you were always going to do. No audition process, no chance to impress in rehearsal and get a better role the next time.

I wasn't sure I wanted to get into that kind of thing but I really wanted to try so I went and talked to one of the seniors who helped run it, and she pretty much confirmed everything I had heard but she did end the conversation by trying to recruit me to do the sets because she knew I was a pretty good artist. I raised my eyebrows and walked away, I honestly don't think she realized that saying stuff like 'we want attractive leads', and 'it's better if the audience wants to see you on stage', could be interpreted in negative ways. And saying you can't be on stage but we do need servants (tech crew) to do our bidding? That was odd.

Looking back at it now (and having participated in a few amateur productions in a large role), I wish I had joined and did the sets for awhile because I think I might have been able to push for and get a good role. And if not, instead of THINKING I wouldn't have gotten a chance just because I was unpopular I would have KNOWN that was the case.

Listening to rumors (even when they were almost certainly true) is never a good idea and I should have found out for myself.

And if not, instead of THINKING I wouldn't have gotten a chance just because I was unpopular I would have KNOWN that was the case...

We have major auditions for EVERYTHING!  Not just because it's honest, but because kids will constantly surprise you.  When we were initially talking about AESOP, we had in our heads different kids who we thought could play particular roles.  Turns out, after auditions, that only ONE of those kids ended up in the role we'd thought.  If it hadn't been for auditions, our cast would've been all wrong!  Gack!  Edinburgh then!!!  (There was one kid in the cast I just couldn't stand, but he was great in the role.)

I'm sorry you had such a crappy experience and glad you finally had a chance to do some theatre work ultimately.  Do some more.