I guess I should start with my dad when talking about my approach on rules. Yep, I can remember being free to do just about anything I wished, just so it didn’t embarrass my dad. When that happened, which wasn’t often, we’d play some football where I’d get to be the pig-skin. Nope, I got that message early on as I sure hated being spiked.
Actually, I guess the best way to describe my dad was when he turned down joining the John Birch Society because they were a bit too Liberal for his tastes. Like him, there’s not much more I cherish than my freedom; esp. from rules. Here are some of my classroom memories on rules:
One day a vice-principal happened into my classroom after school and wandered around. At one point she turned to me and said: “Where are your classroom rules”. This was as a time when it was a big thing to have specific class rules posted on the chalk boards or in a prominent area. I didn’t miss a beat: “I don’t follow rules myself, why would I expect my students to follow them?” She just might still be standing there with her mouth frozen open to this day.
Actually, I was greatly influenced by a way back police chief friend of mine, Brad Posey, who taught me the difference between the spirit of the law versus the letter of the law. I think most police officers should chew on a bit; and, operate accordingly. I recall him saying that if people would operate with common sense, we wouldn’t need any laws.
Another fun incident was when a new teacher was getting off the bus as we arrived at “Astro-camp”, an outdoor mountain facility where the students spent a week with nature. As the students were hustling their baggage towards their dorm rooms, this teacher was looking around in a panic: “What are the rules? What are the rules?” Again, I couldn’t resist: “Hey, relax, no big thing, we make ‘em up as we go along!” Yep, I guess if I hadn’t taken her by the sleeve and led her to where the chaperones bunked, she’d still be standing there; wordless.
Probably the most interesting story about rules is the Catholic High School I began teaching at (and, that’ll be another story) that was run by the Brothers of St. Patrick; a bunch of guys fresh out of Ireland. Unlike in the public system, everybody taught at least one period a day; Principal included. What that meant was that whenever they were writing rules, they were writing them for themselves as well. Needless to say, we sure didn’t have a whole lot of rules.
Interestingly, the faculty was half lay and half religious; equally divided into two different lunches. Then, for some strange reason, an animosity started developing; one group for the other; religious Brothers, included.
That is when the Principal, Brother Alphonsus, decided the need for a faculty dinner meeting which took place one evening at the rectory. Then, after the meal, the Principal left only to come back shortly carrying a case of Irish whiskey; and, the meeting began. Now, I really don’t remember what all happened in the meeting. Matter of fact, I doubt any of the others do either, but although we didn’t come out buddy-buddy, we at least came out talking with each other. Yep, the public system could sure learn a thing of two from the private especially with everyone in the classroom teaching at least one period.
Probably my biggest regret with rules is missing a great opportunity. Had I been pushed to list my rules, I would have simply put up the 10 Commandments as I recall another big thing of that dad of mine was: “We got 10,000 laws created by Congress just to enforce the 10 Commandments.” He did have a point. Yep, I would have really loved to have had someone try to force me to take them down. Wow, would that have been a great story to tell!
In 1965 where I began teaching in that Catholic high school, the saddest moment of my career happened; that it had not been for an Angel(?), my career would have ended then and there. It’ll be hard to write about, but I hope to post it shortly.
Wishing you well,
LarryBme2@aol.com