I am usually a stay at home Mum…that’s a laugh since all my children are self sufficient and really don’t need me to change their diapers or wipe their noses or even cook for them any more! I stay at home anyway and keep myself so busy I am run ragged at the moment and I don’t even go out for lunch every day or have coffee mornings, or go to bible studies, or shop or do charity work. So, what do I do? Well, I’m not going to go there now because this particular post isn’t about what I usually do it’s about what I did for 2 1/2 days last week.
I went out to work and I took my entourage with me, my hubby and two friends.
I was an expert on a panel to analyze the quality of arts, specifically dance, being taught in public high schools in Dallas and how that quality spilled over into the community in their after school programs.
It was a tough assignment, I was charged not to assess the teachers,it wasn’t about the teachers, it was about the children. What were they getting from the classes, how were they were absorbing what was going on? Were they focused and engaged, were they given the opportunity to contribute?
Each time I do this I notice changes, sometimes it is quite obvious that our previous observations and consequent reports have had an impact, especially on the after school programmes, this is heartening and I feel that what I do is worthy.
Not always so in the high school programmes. I saw some brilliant work going on in one of the schools, each child was actively engaged in creating, choreographing, adapting and performing. In another school there was a disappointing downward spiral where the teacher, who had been rated really high previously, was beaten. No energy, no focus, no sparks in her class this semester. The reason? No administrative support…she was not allowed to fail her students…come on, give me a break, her wings had been cut, her creativity smothered, her spirit broken.
I was uplifted and slain by some of the work I saw. Mostly I was happy to be home again after spending two gruelling 10 hour days and a 7 hour day away from what I do best, being a stay at home Mum!
I know, I know, in name only!!
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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