Prolifica

I can think of worse places to work...

My new job begins a week from Monday. I will be team-teaching the 7th and 8th grade (a combined class) at an Expeditionary Learning charter school in my little New Mexican heaven. I'll teach full-time, along with Mr. J. Another teacher, Mrs. G, will join us four afternoons a week.

My class consists of 28 wild and crazy New Mexicans. One of these rugrats is my own boy, Louis, age 12. I can't beat the setting - the incredible castle of the United World College in Montezuma, New Mexico. We have two sizable rooms on the bottom floor with our own courtyard. My students will eat lunches with the World College Students. I know there are stories hiding in the old stair banister, in the carved wood living room where Jesse James once hid for months. We'll have access to the hot springs, to the pool and gym and Dawn Light Sanctuary.

I'm trying to think up something poetic, something beautiful to say about the change of season, the way my boys and I will walk to school together next week, how this new job means I'll spend more time with them than last year when I worked from home. But I'm scared. The change frightens me, and I worry that I won't measure up, that I won't have time to write. That's the biggie, you know. That I won't have time to write.

Comments

[Wandering Willow]

1. Your charter school looks excellent and fun.
2. The United World College can't be beat, especially the castle part.
3. The Dwan Light Sanctuary is gorgeous! You're so lucky to have regular access to it. Who knows what that access might do for you.
4. You worry about having time to write, but your focus and determination will take care of that. You'll juggle until you find the space in your days. Maybe you'll have to focus your writing efforts in just a place or two, for the time being. Removing the financial stress will change all your life's dynamics, and will allow you greater energy reserves. Whatever you're picturing, it will be different from that.
5. Congrats on the blessed relief from money woes!
6. See ya soon.

[Corrie]

I think you'd be better to worry about getting enough sleep, I'm afraid you'll be so inspired by your new digs that the stories won't want to wait until you do have time.

They'll just pour out of your fingers and the sleeping will have to wait.

[Lloyd]

B;

you'll find time... we believe in you.

Hire a housekeeper if you CAN.. tutor one of the slower kids in barter with the Mom...

you'll find a way, you always do.

L.

[lilalia]

Sounds you have a new wonderful source of topic material. It will be fascinating to read about your impressions and experiences.

[Jeana]

Birdie, while I was reading this I was thinking how lucky those kids are, to have you for a teacher. You are so unique, I bet they never forget you.

Wow, no pressure, huh?

And it will be an excellent example for your students that you write, too.

You are teaching writing, aren't you? Please tell me you're teaching writing.

[Stever]

No doubt.

[Carroll]

Stever, you are so...concise! You said exactly what I wanted to say only here's how I was going to say it:

Birdie, you *will* measure up...and sadly it's likely true that you won't have (as much) time to write. But in the same way those stories about your Grandma are stockpiled in your memory banks and waiting for the right opportunity to spill out onto the page, all the new stories you will accumulate from this wonderful experience, those won't go away.

Those students are going to be so blessed by the memories you will make for them all, and especially Louis, who alone will be able to say with pride about the most popular teacher in the school, "That's my Mom!"

The whole "schoolroom in a castle" and "meditation center for inspiration" and "mingling with the super bright college crowd"? Amazing!

So yeah, what Stever said :-)

[Carroll]

PS: It must also be said...I LOVE your new banner!!!!!

Those birds all seem to be looking around like "Where *is* she? We're ready to peck out the words, but where **is** she to tell us which keys to peck on??"

[Phil]

That's exciting!

But please have the decency not to write about a "change of season" until at least after Labor Day. Shouldn't cost you too much - you don't really have them down there, do you? (j/k - of course you do)

[Jonah]

Along with the others, I count this as grand news. Tho' you've been stoic, I've sensed finances are a major concern. The job should relieve that stress.

Wish I could join you; just looks beautiful!

[Marie D.]

I wish you the best for this new job, but I am sure you're going to be fine :-)
BTW, I love your new page header :-)

[Rick]

Birdie

I think there is something about starting a job in September that hooks a person into a deep-seated anxiety of “going back to school.” I also has to do with going into a "darker" season, etc. (Though autumn is my favorite season). I’ve experienced it more than once. The fact that your new job is at a school is likely to heighten this anxiety~,:^)

But, you’ll go really well. You have abundant empathy, which is what makes great teachers. All you need to write is something to write about. So don’t worry about that.

Good luck and enjoy the new and improved routine!

Rick

[Rick]

All right, make that:

"IT has to do..."

and "...you'll DO really well"

I saw you reaching for that red pen~,:^)

[Carroll]

No, Rick -- that was me! But I use a gentle green one, and always acknowledge that you will catch things like that yourself when you LEARN TO PROOFREAD ;)

(Sorry -- just coming down off a staff retreat full of teachers here at our house where the topic of inventive spelling, creative writing, and not imposing barriers between ideas and getting them down on paper was a topic. Nope, Birdie doesn't live here, but her school has a lot in common with the one my own kids went to :)

[Birdie]

Huge hugs to all of you wonderful friends, I just can't tell you how much your encouragement has meant to me.

Rick, wow, you nailed it. I didn't even realize how much of that factored in until you pointed it out! Busted! I didn't much like school when I was younger, and I think that was seeping into my thoughts. But this school is so dang cool, and the setting is incredible. I am feeling energized this morning, and ready to face the challenge!

This weekend I have a teacher's retreat that our staff is holding, and then I am doing some fun personal stuff, so I won't be around until Monday night. I'm bringing my machine and will try to check in when I can.

xoxoxoxoxxo to everyone! I already have some great stories to tell! In fact, I have to figure out how to tell the stories I can't tell in public. Maybe a password protected thing? Or an email list? Suggestions?

[Wandering Willow]

How about reinstating the Bird Stories, whatever you called them, that you only sent to subscribers of that list? That was from the Beauty Dish days.

[nancy]

Birdie, I know you will do great. I know it.

When I was in the throws of depression, Norman would tell me that I couldn't trust my brain because it was sick, so I had to trust his brain and that I WOULD GET BETTER!

I know you are not depressed, but I know you are a little nervous and apprehensive. So, on this point you will have to trust me, because I am neither. You will do wonderfully. I think this is a higher calling for you. You can do this, and we cannot wait to watch.

As for the writing, you will have time for that too. It might take you a few weeks to find a routine, but you'll find it. You can always make time for those things that are most important to you. You might find this article helpful: http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_glass_jar_and_rocks_of_time

OK, off to bed, The Girl is waiting. xxoo ... Nancy

[nancy]

I linked too soon; this one is better (I think): http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=655

[Birdie Jaworski]

Oh man, I totally needed these pep talks!! I just returned from three days of Too Much Information, LOL. My brain is gonna explode! There are so many things I love about this school and about the kids who will be in my class, so I'm trusting in Nancy and the universe (ha ha! I am soooo not kidding!) that all will be well.

I will write more later, I am just so beat tonight. Much love to everyone, and many many thanks.