Happy Birthday Mommy

I just wanted to include a quick entry today, which would have been Mommy's 66th birthday. Thought about her a lot today, especially as I had to deal with observation at school today. I asked her for help in getting through the observation and for it to go well. The answer came in a weird way. The result was not what I wanted, but is not actually surprising given the current climate at school. I realized on my walk to the train that what Mommy gave me was perspective. Perspective allowed me to see the process here for what it is and to remember that in 10 years of teaching, on the college level, and high school level, and in 2 years in the Foreign Service, I never got anything less than an outstanding evaluation. And, aside from kids with axes to grind (see "40" in last post), I've always had an excellent rapport with my students. I know I'm a good teacher, a knowledgeable teacher, a teacher who inspires students and gets them to think about the world around them. That's not arrogance, that's truth.

The problem here is that my idea of what makes a good teacher (you know, actually teaching for example) seems to be the antithesis of what the government here thinks makes a good teacher (moderating activities and ticking boxes). I'm comfortable with who I am and what I do, and I know I make a difference as a teacher. And, from what I've seen, if that seems to clash with Ofsted's idea of good teaching, then I must be doing something right.

This is the sort of thing I would have probably discussed at length with Mommy, probably over cocktails while watching the news in the den. Life is different now, but I felt her with me, and I know I was the stronger for it. So, Happy Birthday, Mommy. I love you and I miss you.