Classroom as Microcosm

1. The people in my department are totally awesome. (With a few, easily disregarded, exceptions.)
2. Even when the bookstore loses my book orders, they are so freaking nice about it that I can’t possibly get mad at them.
3. We have holidays so long that, at the end of them, I look forward to going back to work.
4. I design my own courses. Entirely.
5. No one ever pressures me to publish anything, but people are really excited when I do.
6. I have tenure. Considering how little time I’ve been at this college, that’s ridiculous.
7. There’s a pub around the corner from my school where I can go, pretty much any time after 11 a.m., and find colleagues I want to talk to.
8. My colleagues read my blog, and say nice stuff about it.
9. Oh yes. The students. I do like them sometimes, too. You’ll hear more about that later.
10. A significant amount of my work can be done at home in my pajamas, or in a quiet bar.
11. My employer has set up an entire MEd program with a specialization in my field of teaching, pays for my studies, and provides classes at my workplace.
12. I make a reasonable amount of money.
13. I can’t stagnate. I have to learn or die.
14. I always feel, even if I’m angry, frustrated or despairing, that what I’m doing is important.
15. Every day is full of blog post material.

Believe me, the post about why I don’t like my job will come. But this is how I’m feeling today.