It’s OPENING NIGHT!! We have been working our butts off on this show since October (and really, as directors, since MAY!) The kids did an absolutely OUTSTANDING run for the elementary schools this morning and we are PUMPED!
For all these years, I said that Glee was so unrealistic and could never happen. Then I became a high school musical director and WHOOSH, Glee actually wasn’t dramatic ENOUGH.
These past 3 weeks have been utter CHAOS. Adults telling kids nasty things about other adults, adults degrading children, kids making up insane stories and having my co-director and I the subject of separate interviews today to get the real story (spoiler alert: our stories were identical), injured children, so many tears from the kids, so many tears in private from US.
I have LOVED putting together this show, and on this last day of tech week, feel like we’re ready for anything, and I have had such an amazing experience with my dear friend and co-director, but WOW, I could have done without all of the insanity.
It’s the Eras Tour all over again 🙃
I’ve made some pretty productive use of all the snow days we’ve had.
I’m working on a project for our musical, and I sent out a survey to the kids. One of the questions was “What does it mean to be an Addams?” and two of the answers made me cry, especially now.
“It means to be able to be yourself, unapologetically.”
“To be an Addams is to love fiercely, passionately, and to be devoted to not just family but the world around us, in the hopes of making it a better place.”
The kids are alright.
We had musical rehearsal today. After this week, these kids are always such a light in dark times. Watching them love and care for each other, watching them always ask for consent for anything that might make someone uncomfortable, watching them cheer each other on and cry for each other, just is so restorative. I know that the world is going to be okay, because I see a better world in their faces every day. I hope that I’m still their director when we get to opening night next month. They have taught me so much, and like they sign on stage, “it’s family first, and family last, and family by and by.” In the past two years, we have built a family here, and no matter what, that’s forever.
A little positive movement today. The school board has been sent a cease and desist letter by the Freedom From Religion Foundation promising legal action if another board meeting opens with a prayer. In some states, it’s legal to begin some town meetings with a prayer, but here, neither a town meeting or a school board meeting is legally allowed. It is considered especially egregious when the prayer is led by a member of the board, since it is then considered government mandated prayer.
For some additional context, the new chair of our board is a pastor in a church that has advocated for the destruction of LGBTQ+ people. He has just began a new prayer group that will be held in a public school auditorium. Things are getting really messy and scary, but this latest action really was heartening.
leigh-kelly reblogged
It was an emotional week this week.
On Monday night, our newly elected school board voted to ban 57 books. As an English teacher, that felt like the worst hit. Then ten minutes later, they voted on a policy that requires teachers to put the names of all trans students on a digital list so home can be contacted and they will be forcibly outed.
We were told that failure to comply with either directive would result in on-the-spot termination. To participate in a walk out, on-the-spot termination and indefinite suspension for kids. Same consequences to express an opinion about it in class. It may be an empty threat, but we don’t know.
I’ve cried through most of the week. Today at lunch with my department felt like the end of an era. Not a single one of us knows if we’ll be in the same room together ever again after the individual choices each of us made to fight this. But I do know, I would never wish to be in any other room with any other people at this point and time.
I became a teacher to be an advocate for young adults. I have been told to comply with a policy that will actively endanger them. I can’t do that. The policy has the word “dignity” in it. There is no dignity for these trans young people.
In the 2010s, we danced in the streets. In the 2020s, we fight. Neutrality sides with the oppressor.
It was an emotional week this week.
On Monday night, our newly elected school board voted to ban 57 books. As an English teacher, that felt like the worst hit. Then ten minutes later, they voted on a policy that requires teachers to put the names of all trans students on a digital list so home can be contacted and they will be forcibly outed.
We were told that failure to comply with either directive would result in on-the-spot termination. To participate in a walk out, on-the-spot termination and indefinite suspension for kids. Same consequences to express an opinion about it in class. It may be an empty threat, but we don’t know.
I’ve cried through most of the week. Today at lunch with my department felt like the end of an era. Not a single one of us knows if we’ll be in the same room together ever again after the individual choices each of us made to fight this. But I do know, I would never wish to be in any other room with any other people at this point and time.
I became a teacher to be an advocate for young adults. I have been told to comply with a policy that will actively endanger them. I can’t do that. The policy has the word “dignity” in it. There is no dignity for these trans young people.
In the 2010s, we danced in the streets. In the 2020s, we fight. Neutrality sides with the oppressor.
I realized tonight that the star necklace that I bought for my budding theater kid (and resident drama Queen) niece is the same necklace Rachel Berry has 😂
Anonymous asked:
OMG Annie…
What about her???
My niece is obsessed with Taylor Swift. Obviously, her Christmas gifts need to reflect that.
leigh-kelly reblogged
I love this post so much I have done everything in my power to make sure I will never forget it via reblogging it every October 5th, in memory of discovering it for the first time
The first two days of school were absolutely amazing! It’s always nerve wracking meeting a new group of kids, but I have 140 new babies that I can’t wait to learn about and teach.
Thank you all for supporting my classroom, you’ve made a world of difference!
leigh-kelly reblogged
You are all honestly such amazing human beings! I’m in single digits for completely clearing the list for my personal care/food cabinet in my classroom.
I swore for years that I didn’t want to be a teacher, and now, teaching high school is the most perfect job fit that I could have ever found. I know that I’m crazy busy and not around much anymore, but you are all family, and I thank you for it.
Two sweet stories about back to school night last week. My now-seniors were giving tours to freshman, and a group of them brought our new babies in my room and told them that it is the safest room in the school. Then, another of my seniors came in with her mom and told her that I always have pads and tampons for them so they don’t have to worry about it, and that I always start to class by saying “tell me something good” and it makes her feel like someone always cares.
I’m not saying this to brag, I’m saying that this is such a testament to the love that I’ve been given, especially in this community, so I can spread it to the next generation! So thank you, thank you, thank you all!
If you want to and are able to drop a last minute care item or snack to give these kids the best year ever before school starts this week, here is my list: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2R8UAQLGIRYYB