Le Pink Slip

I knew it was coming.  I had been warned.  It was inevitable.  When our superintendent announced that two elementary schools were closing next year, I knew I was going to be on the chopping block.

Nevertheless, when my principal (so much for the "pal" part) showed up at my classroom door 4th period today, I was surprised.  I didn't think it was going to happen so quickly.  So I walked the walk of shame down the the principals office to meet with the head of HR where he proceeded to tell me a whole lotta stuff that I wasn't listening to.  

All I wanted was for him to give me my letter and let me leave.  I'm mostly angry at myself, that I allowed myself to cry in front of 3 grown men who hold the fate of my employment.  None of these men know anything about me.  They don't know what kind of teacher I am, they don't know my love of English, they don't know the love I have for teaching.  They.  Don't.  Know.  Me.

There's really no one to be angry at.  Do I get angry at the HR guy, who was just the bearer of bad news?  No, because he's just doing what he was told to do.  Do I get angry at the superintendent for closing two elementary schools?  No, because he's doing what he needs to do to keep costs down.  Do I get angry at the citizens of Elyria for moving out of the city, thus lowering enrollment.  See?!  There's no one to blame.

So, in the mean time, I fix up my resume, mail it to everyone I know, and pray that they call me back and say it was all a mistake (which could, actually, happen).

And, I was locked into my classroom today because the handle on the door broke.  It was a great day.