I was a beloved teacher at the school in my 21st year of service. Many believed at first that I must have done something quite terrible to suffer such a sudden dismissal. Dear Reader, you may decide for yourself whether what I did was grounds for ending a 38-year teaching career. Fired at age 60.
The previous week I had shown to my freshmen an unrated short film that had been nominated for an Academy Award for best short film of the year. It was called Cashback, by Sean Ellis. In this 18-minute film we see one naked woman and a number of topless female actors. There is nothing sexual about this film. It's a portrait of an artist (played by Sean Biggerstaff) as a young man who is working his way through art school doing the night shift at a local 24-hour supermarket. He is fascinated with the female form in all its beauty.
This is it, if you're curious.
Head of School labeled it "pornographic," writing to me in my letter of dismissal that were I to screen this film for a group of adults, I could be sued. Unfortunately, this was par for the course for this woman. When I produced the classic Greek comedy, Lysistrata, with the high school, she forbad me from putting up the traditional banner along the outside fence to publicize the play. When the P.R. director asked her why, she replied that the banner "would attract rapists to the school." You get the picture.
The school community and many dozens of past students did all they could to dissuade the Head from this senseless decision, but she dug her heels in and, as employment in private schools is entirely up to the Head, with no Board oversight, the deed was done.
for more info on this drama:
http://www.whereisbear.org/
as well as further musings on this blog at:
http://tinyurl.com/m8ypcn7
http://tinyurl.com/oo7bzyd
http://tinyurl.com/q93j4kh
http://tinyurl.com/kzgtko3
and finally
oh give me a home where; cautionary lesson learned the hard way
Today's post is about what I've learned from this, the biggest trauma of my life.
In 2010, I was in shock. And I became clinically depressed for the first time in my life.
In 2011, I learned that my kidneys were failing.
In 2012, I was horizontal most of the time, without energy, awaiting a transplant.
2013 brought a kidney transplant and my good health returned, along with a loss of anger, depression, and worry.
This year I have been counting my blessings and really getting a new start. My former students, my family and my friends have been incredibly supportive throughout. I am a very fortunate fellow. While I couldn't land another school job, I have been working doing a variety of freelance projects.
Yes, our income was cut by 80%. But we are surviving. This is in no small part because of my good sense through my 40's and 50's of socking away as much of my earnings as I could. Though that money was meant to be for my retirement, having it has prevented our losing our house or having to sell our vehicles. So if you can, save for retirement.
I've learned that situational depression is real and that doctors can help you with medication and counseling.
It's good to accept help when it's offered, in whatever form. A crisis is no time to be prideful.
Being wed to your job can bring powerful consequences when you define yourself through that job. Non-attachment is a good practice not just for material things, but for life's stations as well.
Your loved ones will help all they can, yet one still has to pick oneself up, dust oneself off, and carry on. Self-pity is a cul-de-sac.
Look at the bright side. Though I lost my community and my income, I gained more time with my darling husband and I left a very stressful environment. Now I still work hard, but have more independence and freedom of movement.
So this has been a happy 5th anniversary, even though its origin lies in a very unhappy occurrence. I look back at my 20+ years at the school with great fondness, especially for the amazing girls and young women I taught.
Life is good.