With the end of the 2005-06 school year, I emerged a much happier person than at the end of the previous year. I credit much of this to my love, roommate and fiancee Vickie. Her presence in my life had saved me finally from the cruel world of dating and utter loneliness.With that, I was ready to tackle the next year, not knowing what the end of it would bring.
2006-07
For the first time in 3 years, I had what could be considered a dream class. Most if not all were quite eager to begin the year, and they could tell that I was eager as well. Of course I was eager! I was a man about to get married and take a few days off over then next few weekends to attend 2 weddings: my mom's and my friend Scott's.
We got new science kits that fall, which made for better science lessons and activities. I also moved away from Judy Blume books and read some Roald Dahl books to them. The class was not perfect, I had those few characters that, well, balance a class. I liked that balance. I also had a repeat student form the first grade days. The feeling of full circle was pretty nice.
I also met 2 new coworkers who were pretty nice: Matt and Robyn, both coming from the same school. We did lunch together at several staff developments.
Before I knew it, the end of October had arrived. The staff threw some sort of half-hearted wedding shower after school. I don't know what it is that makes people feel they need to do something. However, I must also admit that events from 2 years previous still stung....and, sad to say, still do to this day. Luckily, track break was also starting and we could focus on the wedding. Apart from some interesting hitches, we were married on November 11. We couldn't afford a honeymoon, so we took a road trip for a couple of days. Right before track break ended, we joined my mom and her new husband in Big Bear for Thanksgiving.
For the first time in forever, I was not with my parents for Christmas. I had a new bride and it was time to spend the special day with her at home. We already had her cat Mitzy and we added a new one to our home during Christmas, an orange feisty number named Layla.
Back to school, things were going pretty well. Parent conferences were in January for a change. Soon into Spring (meaning late February) we got the news that the new school building was about to enter construction. What that meant for a lot of us was that we were moving into portables before year's end. The move occurred shortly before the final track break. It was actually not so bad this time as everything, particularly the AC, worked just fine. We glided through the rest of the year in slightly more cramped quarters, but our good relationship made it work well.
This was short, I know. I guess it is easier to discuss the bad times than the good times in more detail. What it comes down to is, this particular year was one of my favorites, next to my recent 4 years of teaching 2nd grade. With that I will flow right into...
2007-08
This year started with a summer thunderstorm, which is actually a good way to start a year, particularly in Vegas. Of course, we were starting in the portables, as the new building was still heavily under construction.
What really comes to mind this year is a girl who was in the middle of a nasty custody suit. Eventually the dad came escorted by the assistant principal Kevin to get her. We never saw her again.
The class itself was good. This year I had 2 boys from 4 years ago. Another standout fact was that as the year progressed, my class dwindled in number. By the end I had less than 20 kids.
On a personal note, Vickie and I were trying to see if we were healthy enough to have a baby via in vitro. On that journey, we discovered she had a benign brain tumor. It was zapped using a heavy yet concentrated gamma ray in January.
Of course, this was the final year for the old outdoor school. 51 years of service was about to come to an end.
Some other disturbing things were happening as well. Some of the old guard whom old principal Linda had been promoted to being Kristie's underlings. In other words, the old spy network was in place under a new boss. Well, Kristie was made principal 3 years previously, but no waves had been made yet. Now that she was comfy in her position, she was getting a power trip.
In the summer of 2008, the new building was opened and we had to get things packed in a hurry to transfer belongings to our new rooms. We got to spend the last few weeks in our new rooms and it was a good feel. Strange, though. Being in an entirely indoor environment was nice, but it felt very generic. I was about to find out just what hell could be like.
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