I'm Coming Up, so You'd Better Get This Party Started

I have arrived.

Today, while flipping burgers and slicing tri-tip at the football game, one of the juniors asked me to help out with a super-secret Homecoming event. It goes without saying that only the cool, fun teachers get asked to do Homecoming stuff. I guess this means I am now officially cool and fun. It doesn't hurt that I've been far more visible this year: I've already chaperoned one dance and cooked food at both home football games. And of course, I know more students this year than I did last. That just comes with time.

And it is official, I'll be the advisor for Mock Trial.

It's not like any of this stuff guarantees that I'll make tenure, but it can't hurt. I am a team player and I am giving back to the school in many ways. I am visible and friendly. And, it also helps classroom management (my Achilles' heel) because students see you outside of the classroom as well as in; you become a whole person, not just a teaching machine.