I know what the policy is, BUT...

It's been said that if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

True if you're considering a drastic career move, not so much if you're considering a dangerous one.  And by dangerous, I mean blatantly disregarding the rules.

In a school system, the policies are in place whether you like them or not.  They are often there to protect you, the teacher, from any unfortunate incidence upon which you may be fired or sued.  Call me old fashioned, or an old fogey, but following rules is part of the job.

Take eating in class for instance.  I overheard one of my students say to a classmate that he had detention from another (first-year) teacher because he bought lunch before her class and came in late.  I was chatting with said teacher the other day and I was expressing my sympathies.  I simply thought this student had some nerve.  I was very shortly corrected when this teacher began, "I know what the policy is, that there's no eating in class, but..." and I cringed from there on out.  She told me the story of how she 'understands the students are hungry throughout the day' and 'they won't be able to focus if they're hungry' and so she 'allowed them to bring a snack to class and eat it' despite the policy that there is no eating in class.  She has since experienced an abuse of this 'privilege' (lots of trash, unfocused students, and buying lunch at unassigned times).  She henceforth removed this provision from her class.

There is always someone who has to learn the hard way.  By following the rules, you point the finger at the system and you are not the 'bad guy'.  By following the rules, you have recourse and built-in consequences for students who tend to break those rules.  By following the rules, you cover your own new-teacher derriere and people will view you as a straight shooter. And that means you have rehire potential.

Cool Book Store

After a relaxing weekend in the city that never sleeps, we passed this store in Brooklyn Heights:

www.idlewildbooks.com

The name is hard to say out loud, but the store is apparently named after the old NYC airport now called JFK.

They have 2 locations of language classes, foreign language books for kids, and events every so often.  Check 'em out!