Clashing Symbols

That phrase doesn't really mean anything, but the two words sound good together. They are also worth more than fifty points each in Scrabble. I played both in one game against an inhuman opponent, the software on my personal digital assistant (PDA), with the human handily winning, 405 to 270.

We are living in a Jetson world, minus those flying cars.

It's been over six months since my last entry. A lot has happened in that time. I got a job, then I got another. I'll write some about each of those experiences in the near future. Come to think of it, a great deal has transpired in the past six months. My posts may be short or long and probably sporadic, but I think these will be a better use of them than, say, watching television.

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"The main hope of a nation lies in the proper educaton of its youth."

Erasmus

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During an extended hiatus between jobs I signed up to be a substitute teacher. There's not much required; passing grades on the three sections of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), proof of having earned a bachelor's degree, and a negative result from a tuberculosis test. I presented those at the administative offices of the school district, had my fingerprints taken for a background check, and paid the necessary administrative fees. A week later I had my picture taken for an ID badge and received instruction on how to use their telephone system for substitute teaching jobs. I had never done anything like this, but it was something I thought I could manage. I've been told by friends and relatives that my disposition would be an asset in the classroom.

As it turned out, I received and accepted an offer of a permanent job less than six weeks later. I am grateful for those few days I worked as a substitute teacher, if for no other reason than gaining from that experience a deep appreciation for those who do that work every day of the school year. This photo is some of the twenty first grade students I taught for two days. Well, to say that I taught them is a bit of a stretch. Those children were as manipulative as they were charming. An inexperienced teacher's time could be consumed with simply having those young students sit still and be quiet for their lessons. Luckily for me, there were teacher's assistants in the classroom who were a big help in maintaining some semblance of order.

While at the school I took the opportunity to talk with a few of the teachers I met there. A man who teaches fifth grade wished me luck with the younger children. My brother-in-law in San Antonio teaches fourth grade and also regards the lower grades as a greater challenge. A first grade teacher mentioned how there isn't enough money to offer the teachers classes for professional development. There is not enough time to teach anything more than the three R's. My general impression is that the teachers have to contend with bureaucracy, but the time they enjoy with the children outweighs the negative aspects of their jobs.

It was interesting how quickly I learned the students' names and began to see them as individuals, each with her or his own distinctive character traits. I saw a list of recent test results on the teacher's desk during the lunch period. The scores were in line with my impressions of the students' academic skills. Some were very bright, first finished with their worksheets and eager to read books. A few had learning disabilities. One needed her classmates to act as translators. I could see how a teacher could invest time every school year getting to know each student as an individual.

Well, who knows? If I get tired of the work I am doing now, maybe I'll look into what would be necessary for certification and go back to teaching.

My friend Leigh Ann was in a fatal motorcycle accident last Tuesday. We were coworkers years ago. I hadn't seen her in quite a while, but that in no way diminishes my sadness at her passing. She was a vibrant person with an amazing breadth and depth of interests. Doing a Google search on her full name returns an amazing array of information on a variety of topics; motorcycles, Celtic music, cooking, Morris dancing, home brewing, creative writing. Leigh Ann had a unquenchable thirst for knowledge which served her well in her work in the software industry.

Leigh Ann brought much to everyone with whom she had contact. I can barely imagine how her death has affected the people closest to her. It's said that example is the best way to teach and that the most avid students are the best teachers. A vast number of us learned a great deal from Leigh Ann about living life passionately and having fun in the process. This color photo was taken during a birthday party on a boat on the San Francisco Bay with all the celebrants dressed in pirate regalia.

I once had two tickets to a concert by Indian violinist L. Subramanian. I asked Leigh Ann if she wanted to come with me. She agreed so I picked her up and we drove fifty miles to the college where the concert was held. I'd ordered the tickets early, so we had good seats. After the music ended, people went up on stage to say hello to L. Subramanian. Leigh Ann and I joined them. When it was her turn to say hello, Leigh Ann asked if she could shake his left hand because that was the one which did all the wonderful fretting on the violin. Leigh Ann was exuberant about that concert. I enjoyed it so much more for having gone with her.

In reflecting on Leigh Ann's life and her sudden death, I am struck by how our desires are so boundless. As much time as someone may live, it's never enough. I can imagine some expletive crossing her mind as she realized that was the last moment of her life. Fare thee well, Leigh Ann.