What is "The Rubber Room?" Simply put, "The Rubber Room" is a room where hundreds and hundreds of New York City schoolteachers presently sit, being paid full salary to do absolutely nothing. But, like so many things, it's not quite so simple... What Happens? Each year in New York City hundreds of schoolteachers are suspended. Their teaching privileges are temporarily, but indefinitely, revoked. Accused of a wide range and varying degrees of misconduct, these teachers are no longer allowed in the classroom. Instead, while awaiting a lengthy adjudication process, they are compelled to report to an off-campus location commonly referred to as The Rubber Room.
Read this newspaper article about it. Look at the trailer for a documentary film about the rubber-room. Look at the film's website. Listen to the radio broadcast on NPR's This American Life.

Friday, April 27, 2007

I'm Afraid of Americans, I'm afraid of the world.

Americans are a peculiar people. Is it incorrect for me to have the folks I sit with in the detention center represent America to me? I think it's fairly accurate to gauge America through their "lenses." Two of them were flossing their teeth today, right there in the room, in front of everybody present. First, just one of them was flossing, then the other saw and thought he would do the same. How is it that they have learned social graces to act in this manner while I have learned otherwise. Am I mistaken to think that it's not polite to floss one's teeth in front of others, or am I exhibiting excessive social restraint due to a strict background.

Of course, I am the same person who enjoys sitting with my feet up on the sofa or extended out onto the coffee table, which to me is much more comfortable and not rude, but my friends think it is. So am I living selfishly in comfort? Am I disturbing others? Perhaps I make for a decent American.

Today I heard somebody had walked in on someone else in the bathroom because it was unlocked, and the occupant said that they were just too scared to lock it.

I can't even begin to comprehend what that is all about.

I'm too scared to lock it also.

I'm too scared to use it.

I'm scared of being scared.

I'm scared that I'll be scarred.

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