the free rider

about this time of year, i start thinking about next year.  post-spring break.  high percentages of conversations include upcoming plans.  i have nothing to say, yet.

job, summer, housing, progress: these are what i focus on.  none of them are locked in, but each has significant developments in the upcoming week.

there have been several notable developments recently which impact next year's living situation.

1) my roommate Jon got engaged.
2) my roommate Tom got a job at Scottsdale Prep.

both are huge, while simultaneously being far less huge than other upcoming developments.  this means Jon won't be living with me, and Tom will. IF i'm still working at Scottsdale Prep.  yeah... the situation at my school seems to be behind the curve.  none of the new teachers i've talked to have received any sort of assurance regarding continued employment.  it seems to be assumed in many cases, but i hate taking things for granite — that's what tombstones are made from.

i turned in an "intent to return" form months ago.  my top choices were economics and medieval history.

i am doing a demo on Tuesday.  that means i'm teaching an econ class (first period) while being observed/evaluated.  it's kinda huge.

the class will be over Game Theory.  it just so happens that the tiny section in their book on the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Free Rider Problem is exactly what they are assigned to read while also being my favorite branch of economics.  the current econ teacher, Gabriel, skimmed a little last week to line it up for me.  we're hoping to divide up the 4 sections next year between us.

the funny part is, i've kinda already talked to that section of students about Game Theory.  i subbed for them one time, and i decided to show them how fascinating it is.  that makes it slightly more difficult for me to know where to start/what to cover.  do i acknowledge our previous interaction at the start of class? or do i act like i don't know them..

rarely do i worry about getting nervous, but this is one of those times.  there's a lot riding on this demo, and i've never "taught" econ..or taught high schoolers (this is 10th grade).. or ever even had a demo (i was hired without demoing).  my heart is beating faster even now, when i should be exhausted.

it'll be fine, i know.  i'm going to spend way too much time thinking about it between now and then, no matter what.

on the employment topic.  i've also had a few discussions with the administration about possibly taking on additional responsibility in the athletic department...helping out with communication somehow.  it's really early but i'm excited about the possibility of getting an actual position, since i invest so much time helping with athletics already.

so basically, i'm in my usual spot as i approach a "new" (school)year.  nothing guaranteed.  lots of options.  right now my summer plans include three weddings, an online CalcII course, and helping crew an undetermined sailboat to an epic (undetermined) location. and DC.  and moving. somewhere...possibly to a teacher mansion (Tom and i have talked to at least six guys about living together).

one quick anecdote before i climb into my sheetless bunkbed:

when the students heard i was teaching a demo for them on Game Theory, they were excited.  a few of the girls are on my volleyball team.  they told me that in the weeks since i gave the impromptu lecture, the topic has come up several times on its own. not only that, but they have (so they claim) APPLIED what i taught them in OTHER CLASSES!  humane letters, for example — the daily two hour discussion on history and literature.

it's obviously cheesy to say, but that's an awesome thing to hear.  as positive feedback for a teacher goes, that is tough to beat.  it 1) really reinforces my belief that my genuine enthusiasm for economics could potentially make a real difference, and 2) it supports my suspicion that my personality/style of teaching is better suited toward high school students.  words are more important, energy level is less.

by the end of next week, my immediate future could be locked in.  or all my options could come tumbling down like a house of cards.