Insubordination?

Insubordinate: somebody who refuses to obey orders or submit to authority

Well, I guess that's me. However, my act of insubordination happened over three weeks ago and I still have a job.

In the office I'm known as the person who will always give a straight answer. If I'm asked for my opinion, I'll give my HONEST opinion. This is sometimes good - sometimes not so good. I am a bit proud, though, to say that when someone wants/needs honesty, I'm the person that is asked. I haven't said anything about my administrators to anyone else that I haven't said directly to them. I don't always come out on top, but my administrators know I'm loyal, can be trusted and will always tell them the truth.

Now for the story . . .

Each year for the past several years, we send home with EACH student what is called a "Family Survey". The questions are pretty general; how many people living in your home, how many children, how many adults, etc. One of the questions is regarding household income; Is your household income between $20,000-$40,000, $40,000-$60,000, etc. This has always been an anonymous survey. Names were not required or even asked for on this survey. This year, however, is a different story.

The surveys came to our school this year with the student names PRE-PRINTED on them! All the questions are the same - even the household income section. These 600+ forms were on my counter to be distributed to each student. This isn't specifically my job to do, but I was to see that it got done.

Well, as soon as I saw that these surveys were no longer anonymous, I went straight to the principal's office and was lucky enough to catch him and the assistant principal together. I asked them if they had seen the "new" surveys. They didn't know what I was talking about so they came out to see. I pointed to one of the forms with the name of one our students on it and then directed them to the income section.

I told them that I would have no part of the distribution of this form. I told them it was none of our business who made what. The principal agreed with me and made a call to Central Office. After he talked to someone there, the principal came back to me and told me they had to go out that way. He then explained the importance of the surveys to our school; supposedly the response to these surveys determine technology monies received from the government.

I re-stated that I would not have any part in this. I told him and the assistant that I could certainly understand the need for these statistics; the percentage of homes at the poverty level, etc., but that there is NO NEED FOR NAMES. I reminded them that each of them have students in school and I would look forward to seeing how much THEY make. I also suggested we send them to each of our board members. I've always been curious about THEIR incomes.

I told them that if Farrah had brought one of these forms home, it would have gone directly into the garbage. I continued (sometimes it's hard for me to stop once I get going) by saying that I hoped parents jammed our phone lines with complaints, even though I'd be the first person to catch their wrath.

Our assistant principal suggested that maybe this was a way to uncover welfare fraud. I told her that I did not think it was the job of public educators to spend time investigating the governments actions!

Jeesh! After three weeks, this still upsets me. Interesting to note; after three weeks the administrators haven't mentioned this to me and I haven't seen the surveys again. I'm not going to bring it up.

The Party is Over

Tomorrow, I go back to school to start the new year. Although I've only taken one FULL week off, having to be there from 7:00 until 3:00 is always an adjustment.

This summer has been very productive and enjoyable - one and the same in my vocabulary.

I finally decided to quit ignoring the pain in my toes, so I had surgery.
I don't know for sure, but I THINK I read about 15 books.
I discovered a new "favorite" author - James Patterson. (I never thought I liked mysteries).
I went to the Blue Lick's Seafood night for the first time.
I got an IPOD for my birthday!
I've completed my 621st work-out at Curves!
I've gained five pounds (surgery and vacation).
I've discovered that flip-flops aren't so uncomfortable.
I went to the Cheesecake Factory for the first time - maybe my new favorite restaurant.
I went to a gem farm and panned for gems.
I went to Carl Sandburg's home.
I ate alligator.
I stayed at a Fairfield Inn for the first time - nice.
Entertained friends twice.
Reconnected with an old friend.
Spent time with closest and dearest friends.
Reorganized a little.
I met an online friend - yes, that's you Shane!
I made Jeff's lunch every day - he makes his own lunch when I'm in school.
Went with my mom to her 49th high school reunion.

I really feel like there is more that I can't remember right now, but summer was good.

As always, I'm "ready" to go back. I always enjoy my time off, but I really do look forward to getting back into the routine.

This year will be my best ever, if only for one reason. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't been there, you probably can't appreciate the joy and relief I feel. Not finding subs means I won't cringe when the phone rings at 5:30 a.m. or 9:00 p.m. It means I won't always be on pins and needles worrying about how many calls I'll have to make to find a sub. It means I'll be able to be on my own phone without worrying about a staff member trying to call to tell me they can't come in. It means I can sleep (at least) a half hour longer in the morning. It means I'll be able to shower in the mornings. Again - you have no idea how happy I am about this.

Tomorrow - who knows???? Aside from the infamous RED BINDER project, I don't know what will be in store for me. I hope to have news that I've heard through the grapevine confirmed, but most importantly I hope that the few others who will be there, will have enough to do that they won't keep me from doing what I need to do. After all, I have to work on the RED BINDER!