October 30, 2002

MISSISSIPPI. Why are they all singing?

Am I on an "American Idol" ? Why are all of my students suddenly auditioning to five or six different tunes, almost with out fail completely out of key ... and all as Mavis (our typing software) pushes them merrily through their lessons.

As I yell out orders like, "be quiet! we are not in the cafeteria" from the comfort of my padded chair at the front of the class I can't help but wonder ... why am I obsessed with making these kids do so much for a grade in Keyboarding?

It's an obsession that TFA has pushed upon us since the application process, the need to exceed every expectation. It is an obsession that TFA tattoos on our forehead as we leave our summer in Houston and it is an obsession that keeps me coming up with interesting things to do with my kids during their 2 and a half hour typing classes.