The Cast of Characters

So who are the people and teachers in Trout Lake this year? Well let me introduce you to them as I know that they will figure prominently in my posts. I feel like I know them a little bit better now as we met for dinner last night at my house. A BYOB and side (as in Bring Your Own Barbecue although I can not say for sure what was in the ever present coffee mugs which often is used to disquise alcohol from the ever present kids).

First and most important is the Big G - our beloved principal who so often lets me get my own way when it comes to our students and who truly wants to put in the time to improve our school. It is so nice having someone in the office who I can go and talk to and who shows her appreciation to us. So far I have had candy and kisses placed on my desk by her in the morning. Anyone who knows the value of chocolate in the morning is OK by me.

Next to the Big G is the Newfie - the Grade One teacher who often keeps me company in long drives to and from Trout Lake. It is always interesting to hear her views on children and school and teaching but often around her I feel slightly inadequate because as I tread water trying to keep my head from the depths of complete insanity, I often do not do everything that teachers needs to do.

Next to the Newfie is the mysterious M. She is also my roommate in the basement suite below mine. We tend to keep to ourselves or else I fear that we would mutually annoy each other and I would not be able to keep my head above the depths of complete insanity.

Next to the mysterious M is the married newbie. I have to include her husband in the description - our token male - for the two have become one. I love learning about the contradictions in people (and everyone has them) when I meet them. These two have their contradictions. He is Mr. Hunter and Gatherer. He lived in Trout as a youth when his parents taught here and is a gung-ho perfectionist (he felt it necessary to reattach the wheel to our decrepit BBQ before using it). Mr. Hunter and Gatherer is married to a vegetarian. They have had interesting prior lives. She studied film in New York City. He was heavily involved in musical theater and now they are in the middle of nowhere with me. Now there to is a contradiction. They are both super nice people and I am looking forward to getting to know them after the stress of the first month of school abates.

Next to the married newbies is the single newbie who is planning on making Trout home for now and stay here over the summer and everything. I say good for her.

It is great having new people around, although I do miss my own friends. It is fun watching them learn their limits and see their enthusiasm to teach. I feel jaded compared to them. I love my students and expect things from them but my expectations are more tempered - rather than to succeed at school, I may expect them to make me smile today or be a good person. Some of them I expect to drop out or not attend. Hopefully their no holds barred (or is it no bars held) enthusism will rub off on me.