Everything Old is New Again

I've been thinking about Dad's career; the years he spent teaching English in Forestville especially.  I got to wondering what kind of teacher he was.  What were his daily habits at school?  How did he get along with students and other teachers?  What did he have for lunch?  And other equally compelling questions.  I started thinking about my day in order to help form a picture in my head.  Then I remembered Dad wasn't the librarian so I started thinking about our own English teachers and playing a little game of Match Up.  Scary, right?

So, here you go.  These descriptions are completely based on my own observations and biases.    You may have your own.
Senior English:  a female so I'm taking her personality out of consideration.  My blog, my rules.


Junior English:  Dresses every day in a dark suit.  Is somewhat irreverent and often brash or rude.  Divorced.  Seems to hate women and is often insulting.  Coach.  Room's a mess.  Often found surfing the internet with is feet on the desk.  Posts all vocab words for the year on the board and tests on them weekly going down the list 20 at a time. Average arrival time.  Usually eats lunch alone in front of the computer with his feet on the desk.  Paces room.  Often in trouble with someone for actions or words.

Sophomore English:  Lanky and married with 3 young children.  One of the only teachers that writes up students late to class.  Changes up his lessons pretty frequently.   Uses lyrics or TV shows in unique ways.  Can be irreverent and brash but usually doesn't sound rude.  Sometimes looks a little rumpled even in his jeans and sweatshirt.  Directs the school play and runs chess club. Average arrival time.  Usually eats bag lunch with everyone.  Active teacher, laughs at self and with good humor.  Wry observer.

Freshman English:  One of the "hip" guys but doesn't look the part.  Students love him.  Admits to some anal tendencies but seems to let student behaviors roll off his back.  Lessons pretty much the same year to year, but they seems like great lesson ideas.  Coach.  Pretty low-key.  Early arrival.  Rarely eats with everyone.

My best guess for the candidate closest to Dad's everyday worklife behavior is the one named Paul.  Which one do you think it is?

Looking around for the yearbook picture for this post, I found his application for the Walton job.  I noted with interest his comments on the duties of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction:

Reading these over sound very much like today's!  All the changes coming in New York State education are intimidating to some current teachers.  Ryan is considering entering the field and it's hard to imagine the teaching world he'll be entering in only a few years.  I take comfort that "everything old is new again".  Everything will take care of itself.  Again.