And the alternate universe continues.  I was able to shift the Photogram due date up and begin camera mechanics early.  The students are proving to be so capable.  I am pleased and surprised.  This kind of photography is truly a challenge to teach.  First of all, they are used to the device doing everything for them.  The majority of the thinking comes in making a decision regarding what pre-set filter to use.  With film - and how we teach digital - they must have full comprehension of the workings of the camera:  lens functions, reflex action of the camera, image capturing, light sensitivity of various films, emulsion make-up, how the camera's inner computer reads the available lighting with the settings to give you a meter reading.  And so on....  Do you want to teach a bunch of hormonal, raging teenagers all that?  Didn't think so.  But it is fun.  And this year?  Amazing!  They are listening so intently (I wish everyone in my life listened to me like this) and it shows when I ask them to recall what they have learned and when I have them handle the camera.

Yesterday they changed the ISO, shutter speed, and began to be familiar with the meter.  Today, the two hardest things:  Meter reading and loading film.  I had some kids who did not return their camera use agreements.  they could not touch a camera.  They could only observe.  Normally, I have to ready myself for an argument.  Not this year's bunch.  They dutifully watched a partner.  This is just unreal.

On another note, I have a former student who has a friend writing a dissertation on the last 20 year evolution of the punk scene.  She thought I would be a good contributor to this so the friend interviewed me last night.  She wanted to Skype, but I had to let her know I do not have that capability.  Ha ha.... Yup, the luddite lives....  We talked a bit about how our ideology informs how we teach.  I don't think anyone can comprehend how much that ideology plays a part in how I teach, how I treat my students, and my desire to be involved in the improvement of the school community.  While some people join committees to get ahead and get great evaluations, I do so to improve the school for my students.  There is a direct correlation between this and the music scene and its ideology. I notice that the colleagues who are complacent in their lives are those who are barely involved here.  One attitude I have a hard time dealing with is the "What are ya gonna do?".  If you see something is not going the way you want, something is not right, just sit back, do nothing about it, but complain bitterly.  So, I am going to be an annoyance this year and re-propose In School Suspension.  I was so angry about the denial last year because the reasons were all unfounded.  It was clear that the proposal was not even read.  In fact, I would like to be there to make the proposal myself because I will not give up.  I will not be interrupted.  I feel so strongly about this.  I cannot comprehend how any administrator could not be aware of all the documentation regarding the harm out of school suspension does to students, particularly those who are minorities.  Any admin who does his job (yes, his, because my admin does hers and knows recent research) and is up on the research knows this is the way to go.  We are rid of the man who wanted "them" out of the building.  Now let's get rid of the discriminatory practices and adopt practices that actually keep the kids in school.  It is kind of a no-brainer.....