Spirit Days

I believe in Spirit Days. I believe in a positive school culture. It is hard to not compare where I am teaching to my own high school experience because we had so much school spirit at my school. I have never been to a place that has basically no school spirit.

That being said, I have tried to actively get involved in projects and groups that have primarily goals meant to move toward improving the school culture. One key thing, I believe, is having spirit days. Traditionally, spirit days are on big important days for major sports, or leading up to homecoming (at least in my experience). This school takes homecoming very seriously. So, it should come as no surprise that they are doing a spirit week.

Today is "freaky friday" which means that students are meant to dress "their opposite". Naturally, my students took that to mean "cross dressing", to use their vernacular. To be completely honest, while I have lived a somewhat sheltered life, I still think I've experienced some fairly offensive things. However, this day I have witness more offensive things than I have ever seen. I have never been so upset.

Part of me feels like I should be more loose. By now, I know what town I live in. Besides, no one else seems as bothered as I am . Not my fellow teachers, students, nor administration. So, why am I so upset? Is it because I have been taught my whole life about the importance of equality? Is it because a core part of my belief system is tolerance and acceptance; which includes not mocking other people's way of life. Perhaps it is gestures and comments where the boys who dressed female mock my gender, or the people who pretend to be another race and make comments about eating fried chicken. I know I am in a small town. I know where I am. So, why am I so bothered?

I am bothered because this is the first time that I feel like there has been a direct assault on my belief system. A belief system that I am used to being supported. I do not blame anyone here. I do not lay fault on people. If anything, in typical fashion, I blame myself. I blame myself for allowing myself to get so upset. I hate that I am so upset. I hate that this is me. I hate that I know this is something that will happen often, especially as long as I teach in places outside of my comfort zone.

The positive part, I am learning so very much. Learning has always been so important to me, so i am glad to be learning here.