Reflecting Too Much Can Make Eyes Cross.

Reflection is a tool that teachers are expected to practice regularly. It helps us to evaluate what we are doing correctly and what things we need to improve. It also gets our heads out of the paper-grading, conference-conducting, bus-lunch-hall-box office- Latin club duty sand trap. There are moments, however, when being ambushed with this “self-analysis” is the least helpful tool, especially coming from 3^rd parties who claim to have never really seen what you do in your classroom.

            There is reason I never joined the military or any other profession that practices an egotistical, machismo model of management. I don’t do well with arbitrary authority. I’m head-strong, intelligent and clever enough that people should pray that I work for the forces of good and not evil. So, it’s safe to say that when I’m told do to some “self-analysis” with no other constructive criticism or feedback, I become little more than mildly upset.

            Telling me about students who never come to get help yet complain about not understanding, or parents whose children are passing with A’s in my class and then get upset that I don’t respond immediately to their incessant and unnecessary emails, doesn't help me self-analyze. Telling me that my friendly disposition is a character flaw, doesn't help me self-analyze. All this does, is infuriate me. And fight back.

            The second summer of grad school is swiftly approaching. Sadly and Luckily, I don’t have sufficient funds to do the full 9 hours. So my plan, like me, will have to be flexible. I’ll first have to get a part-time job somewhere. It really doesn't matter where. In the midst of this part-timing, I’ll first attend the ACL Institute at the University of Memphis (Not too far from M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I). Then, I hope to attend the Conventiculum Latinum at the University of Kentucky to practice building my conversational skills. Then, try to find a way to pay for AP training for Latin, so the higher can no longer deny me, or my students WHO ASK FOR AP EVERY YEAR, my AP Latin class for the 2014-2015 school year. Lastly, though technically in the midst of all of this, take the Teaching Methods class at UGA.

            These will be my weapons, for I will win this war against unsolicited orders for self-analysis. Those who thought I wouldn't fight back, that I was too young or naive to take a stand, the joke is on you. When someone’s asks “Who’s the boss?” the answer will always be me.

            If you have experienced my same struggle as a teacher and you want to contribute to the cause, you can donate anything to my Paypal account. All donations will receive a personalized “Thank you” note and also my eternal thanks. 

Semper contra ignoratiam pugnabo.