The Exodus, part 1
As some of you may know, my wife recently accepted a teaching position and we are now in the process of relocating. I decided to keep up with it all so I could share the experience with friends, all updates will henceforth be available in this thread. Enjoy the show.
Day 1:
Yesterday we made the long trip to Pine Bluff, this is to be our new home by the end of June/early July. We stayed at an Econo Lodge last night so we could be up early to sign paperwork, tour the school, and of course, make the long trip home (so I could be back before raid time, yes I love my understanding wife who doesn’t even roll her eyes when I say “can we try to get back by 6 so I can be on to raid?”). We met with several very friendly people, infact there’s two things I’ve carried away from the whole thing. 1. the people are very friendly, and 2. I’m applying for a minority scholarship.
I know, that sounds like a joke. However, to give you an idea of the statistics. In the Pine Bluff school system there are 50 caucasians. 97% are african american, and yes the colleges do offer minority scholarships… to caucasians. It was really surreal, and I can’t wait to get back. Everyone was very friendly and warm; there were smiles everywhere you turned, simply genuine invitations to set down your troubles and be at peace: at no time did I feel like an outsider.
This morning we met with Superintendent Anthony, a rather small genial black man: done up in a suit that made my feel my own personal shabbiness like an ache that just won’t go away. He however, at no time acknowledged this, in fact taking a seat beside me on a beautiful oxblood leather couch and patting me on the knee as if to say, “It’s alright”. I found him to be an immediately engaging man, his charisma could only be matched by his obvious drive and general affable nature. It’s safe to say, I liked him immediately.
After meeting with the Superintendent and signing the contract, my wife and I decided to meet with the principal of the high school where Brandy will be teaching. I stand 6’2″ and roughly 350 lbs, I say this so you can understand the import of my saying: Principal Gragg is a big man. More mountain than flesh, immovable. In many ways, quite different from Anthony: Gragg speaks very slowly by comparison, but with no less conviction. Less bluster, less imperative but all the warmth is there. We talked to him for more than an hour as he took us to what is likely to be Brandy’s new class room, the building is currently undergoing renovation but if the rest of the campus is any indication it will be very nice when complete. We also met several teachers (in passing) including another English teacher.
In all, I got the impression that this is a school that has been the underdog for a long time. But the people here do not feel sorry for themselves, they work to pick themselves up and achieve, despite the deck being stacked against them. I see much potential here, and I am proud of Brandy for taking this position. It will be a challenge, no doubt. But one I think she can meet. It’s good work, that needs to be done. So, armed with a pile of books and good vibes, we made our way back home.
We stopped to grab something to eat at a little Italian place, and I almost cried. For the first time in 13 years I had a Stromboli and Canoli. And both were beautifully done, the place even has a stone oven, the way it’s meant to be. Along the way home I saw something that made absolutely no sense…
Ok, what do ninjas have to do with air conditioners? Do they sneak in at night and repair your duct work? Do they stealthily replace your central heating and air unit under cover of darkness? Somehow, I’m reminded of Belushi’s Samurai Tailor…
We picked up Buster, who’d spent the night with the in laws.
And I leave you now, with a final vision: that of my lovely wife who I am very proud of…
More coming soon…
