Well, That Was One for the PD Record Books. Successful, But Let's Talk About Educator's Biting at the Bit and Just Wanting It All to End

End-of-the-year PD is just cruel. Actually, most PD is cruel. If teachers had options to choose the PD they wanted that would be one thing, but instead districts scramble to put something together that is mandatory for all. The kids just left. Rooms need to be cleaned out. But they make teachers come for 6 hours of professional development. I'm not sure why this is the way of the teaching land, but it is. 

With that noted, Greenwich Public School teachers pleaded with their district people to have me come for the last day of literacy PD for middle school teachers. It's an honor to be requested, and I set out to make it fun. I mean, what's standing between the stress of a year and beach reads....PD!!! I was prepped, organized, and ready to go. Let's laugh.

Which they did, until someone checked their phone and reported there was a flipped tractor trailer on I-95 and it would take 4 hours to go 23 miles. This moved to the Merritt alternative, which was now getting all the cars avoiding I-95....just a three hour trip. Moms and dads were panicked about picking up kids, everyone was exhausted, and no matter how entertaining the PD and schmuck in front of them, they just wanted it to end.

I have a sense of humor and I get it. I wouldn't want me there either. When you want (and need) to get going, it makes no sense to force people to stay. The district leader had to compromise with a 30-minute early dismissal, which meant she and I stayed to clean up the day's work. That was the contract with the Greenwich Audubon...space for free, but clean up all theirs. this also meant putting up tables and chairs. Oh, and their air conditioner was down. I was drenched for most of the day. 

AND I made it to the facility with just 1/10th of a tank left in gas. It said I had 50 more miles until I would be on empty. I knew I could park and find gas afterwards. So, that is what I did....nearest station...opposite direction of Connecticut, in New York. I got there, filled up, and looked for the shortest route. Interestingly it took me north through NY and then through numerous background of CT until I made it to Stratford. One hour and 48 minutes, which was better than 3 or 4 hours on the major thruways. 

Phew. CT Traffic. It's impossible to describe at times.

Greenwich has a phenomenal teaching staff. they are dedicated, creative, very hard working, and pro-kid. Ah, but on day 180+ with no air conditioner and doomsday traffic, it's hard to concentrate on the importance of anything. We all agreed, however, that the seeds were planted and the workshop achieved what it set out to do. I just don't think the timing of the last days is smart for anyone. 

You have to teach to know how ridiculous some of the occupation is...the Gods are crazy for what we put educators through, even with Crandall the looney tune who brings wit, spunk, and new ideas.

It's too much, but we survived. And I had a beautiful backroads drive home. I saw new parts. It was a win for me. And by the way....the homes by the Greenwich Audubon....let's just say Hamptons. Phew. They was some people live is astounding.