Right now, I navigate a fine line between student and teacher. The Iowa River most nearly serves as that intellectual, authoritative line. I cross the river every afternoon and drive past the UIHC and Kinnick and make sure my speedometer falls to 25 before entering University Heights. Past Finkbine, I transform into something quite different, something quite adult. I enter the parking lot of the high school and drop my first name for a Ms. I am teacher.
The line becomes more distinct with the upcoming election on November 2nd. The student in me concerns herself with the 21 ordinance while the teacher side dismisses that, reading up on the candidates' positions on education.(Speaking of which, the rhetoric surrounding candidates' plans for education is interesting, eh?)
The student in me likes the same music and movies and social networks as her students while the teacher side tries to somehow stretch those four years that separate her students' age from her own into a seemily further divide to legitimatize her authority.
I look forward to the day when the two parts are less distinct, the dichotomy erased like chalk on a chalkboard. For now, I'll enjoy my position on both sides of the river, I'll enjoy the ride.
It's a weird feeling to become a Mr(s). You sometimes overhear a conversation about a movie you and your friends saw last weekend too, and want to join in. There isn't much of an gap between us and them for now. Why don't we use the fact while we can, and perhaps learn that angle?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that crossing the river means crossing between the two parts of your life. Awesome metaphor!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog entry! It is weird how you start to define your own self differently as other people look upon you in a new role.
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