Today might be the very last day of my 12 year teaching career. In the flavor of full transparency, I will sadly and humiliatingly admit that my first year at Ponderosa High School is my last year at Ponderosa High School. According to the Principal, the kids “feel like I don’t like them.”
Now, let’s get this straight. Of all the ways I could improve, relationships is not one of them. The real reason that my contract is not being renewed is because I do not fit in to the plan. When I was hired last year, I was told they wanted a veteran teacher to “shake things up.” THAT is exactly what the English department did not want to have happen.
In Education, specifically English departments, they think they want to hire change-makers, but when push comes to shove, they want to remain unchanged. English departments are notoriously women and women are notoriously cliquish. Outsiders, especially colorful, energetic, high-heeled ones – while they may seem like a shot in the arm – are rarely welcomed into the herd.
Why?
Because they are colorful, energetic, and high-heeled. Inevitably threatening their way of English life.
If you walk into a typical American high school, you would be shocked to see that most teachers dress worse than the teenagers. Don’t get me wrong, that has nothing to do with their aptitude as teachers, but Frump is a fact. Braless is a fact. Yoga pants on people who have no business wearing them is a fact (they do not do yoga either!).
When a stylish, brilliant teacher is hired and then told to “shake things up”? Oh boy! That does not go over well.
You are targeted, watched, and judged. And, you end up here: a contract ending, end of the year, jobless teacher.
It is the last week of school and I sit here in my Banana Republic skirt and high-heel mules. Alone, anxious, and thrilled!
Beautifully-Aged 
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