About Me January 28, 2006
Hi. You can call me Mr. Smith … actually, you can call me anything you want but please call me Mr. Smith. After a brief career as a second grade teacher, I now find myself as an 8th Grade Communication Arts and History teacher in the South Bronx, NY. There is a wonderful irony to this as I haunted my 8th Grade teacher for an entire year. To date, I am the only alumnus of my grammar school to get kicked out of class every single day of 8th Grade. It is is believed that I caused my teacher to leave the brotherhood (he must have seen me as the Anti-Christ). Yes, Brother D …, there is such a thing as payback.
I love teaching. I live in Cross River, NY, an area with no known contributions to Planet Earth except a lack of cell towers and lots of horse and bull manure. The source of the horse manure can be attributed to the local horse farms and the bull manure to the local residents.
For those of you who may be wondering, I am a well-qualified AARP member. After 26 years as an entrepreneur, executive, manager, supervisor, on-air radio personality and basic corporate flunkie, I became a something worthwhile: a teacher. I received my K-6 Elementary Certification and an Instructional Technology Certification through Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA). I already have my Masters Degree but will walk with my class in June, 2007.
On July 29, 2006, I married a pretty young lady who I first met in 1970. Although my sister did not want me dating her friends, it only took me 36 years to marry one of them. We have six kids, a regular Brady Bunch. We are trying to get them all out of the house soon. The 13-year-old objects to having to sleep in a tent in the backyard.
Anyway, I hope to not be adding to the bull manure coming from Cross River. Rather, I hope to add some intelligent comments about education. The comments may come from my readings for my grad classes at Drexel, from my wife (a teacher), my friends (more teachers) or my students. I’ll try to keep the topics relevant and the posts interesting.
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Dear Mr. Smith,
I read your comments about Cross River, I don’t think it is as bad as you say it is. I am happy to find out that there is still an area of Westchester County that preserves land and maintains horse farms. I also understand that there is a bird sanctuary behind your residence!
Hey Vern!
Great job on the site. You know I am not one to normally give you compliments. But since many strangers will be visiting your site, I will hold back. By the way, you have already added heavily to the bull manure in your neck of the woods. Remember, I know you!
Your favorite verbal abuser,
Kimberly
A big hello to Kim and Mrs. Smith of the Future. Yes, a bird sanctuary does exist behind the domestic domicile with about 200 regular visitors who, fortunately, leave most of their respects in the grass and trees. It is a welcome escape in the middle of Condo Heaven.
As for the contributions that I have made to the manure situation, I think I am a much bigger contributor to global warming than to fertilizer. Petunia tells me often that my hot air and other emissions are adding to the greenhouse effect but, thankfully, I am not destroying the ozone layer.
And, All Powerful Kimberly, your compliments and blessings are always accepted with a most thankful spirit (and rejoicing that I have not been slammed like a crash test dummy).
Mr. Smith
Aww…I wasnt quick enough to be the first one! Very nice Vern, Mr. Technology. I will no doubt be asking you technology questions after I get on Kim’s last nerve. Between my lesson plans and the Drexel class, I’ll need all the help I can get. I hope this serves as a resource for all us new teachers (poor grammar, I know). Best, Wendy
Hey! I would like to know why there is no mention of your loving children in there. Especially your outstanding oldest son who is not only a child prodigy but a genius who will be attending Quinnipiac University next year. Thanks
To my dear Child Prodigy:
I am more proud of you, your brother and sister than you can imagine. However, I chose to keep you anonymous based on the focus upon my professional development. My credibility is also at risk because nobody would believe that a man of my age, having raised three children, would even consider entering an elementary classroom. Imagine what people would think if they knew I am also a summer camp counselor. Oops, I guess that one is out of the bag too.
In any event, congrats on Quinnipiac and I promise not to say “I told you so!” when your aunt and grandmother show up in your dorm every weekend because you did not follow the four hour rule for going away to college.
Having fun reading your blog. I subscribed.
I just love teachers that love what they do!
Maria
Dear Maria,
Thank you for the kind comments and thanks for subscribing. I have added your blog address to my links page since I admire anyone like me trying to teach writing to this bizarre Internet and Text-Messaging culture.
I must also confess that I now am feeling the initial throes of performance anxiety. I mean, I now have to live up to the standards that enticed you to sign-up for updates. That means either more medication or more Carlo Rossi Paisano wine ($6.99 per GALLON). Or both.
Thanks again!