A New Wearer of Clothes

I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Through a series of events I will probably explain in a future essay, I am somewhat unexpectedly back in my old classroom after not signing my contract at the end of last year. You can read about that below, if you like.

Other Duties as Assigned, Part III

Returning to the classroom has been mostly good, so far. Students have been back for about eight days, I am enjoying my classes, and I am cautiously optimistic that I can avoid some of the deep burnout I experienced last year by focusing on the things I can control (which are very few) and letting the rest go.

There have also been some difficult times during those first few weeks (more on this in a future essay) which have reminded me of the sacrifices public school staff members make by taking on this work. I have wondered frequently if I made the right decision by coming back, and I have seen the toll that the growing staffing crisis is tak…