Insanity...that is all.

Tonight was my last graduate class...EVER! As of 9:15pm I have a masters degree. In a weird way it feels like a letdown. It has been in no way as exciting as it was to graduate from my 4 years of college. Perhaps it is because I have done this while working full time...so I didn't really get to sit back and enjoy it. Eh...perhaps it was the pressure...it HAD to be done in order to stay in teaching.

Either way...an 800 $ raise per year doesn't seem to even out much.

And people still act like they are 15 years old. One guy, who you would consider your typical class clown, middle of the road, never works harder than the bare minimum to get by, sat behind me. At first we got along. And believe me when I say that I am aware my personality can offend, annoy, or come across really strongly to people. You either like me or you don't...period. Well, this slacker and I got along well. Until I started turning in work on time. See, he hoped I would be middle of the road just like him. Instead, I set some sort of impossible standard for him to meet.
Lets see...THESE were the only requirements of class:

Read 1 interesting book assigned by teacher
Read and present one chapter of classroom management text
Write each week in a journal (no actual page requirement)
One 3 page paper on our management techniques
One 10 page outline/classroom management plan

These things, in the context of a graduate level class, and compared to OTHER classes I have taken, were simple. The chapter presentation was nothing more than a Power Point...the journal you could write in class...and the outline was really easy to type. He managed to not turn the paper or the journal in on time, but spent most of his time picking on me for doing it. He turned in a mediocre presentation, did a shitty management plan, and then managed to insult me more than once to my face about how much good work I do.

Tonight, after me commenting to the professor that I would have preferred a 13 week class to the shortened, rushed 6 week one, this man (at least age 35 and a high school teacher) told me he didn't think he could handle me for 13 weeks. I let him know I didn't think he could either.

I felt humilated and outraged all in a flash. I was transported back to middle school and kids picking on me for being smart, or telling me I was so chubby that I used all that "chub"n my brain to become smart. Back then you dont realize they feel inadequate and need to take it out on someone. But as an adult, I instantly recognized that I made him feel poorly about himself. But really, HE made himself feel that way. I did my job, I spoke my mind, I participated, and it felt good! I even had people compliment me on my public speaking, and my knowledge of certain useful areas throughout the time spent in this class, so I know not everyone was angry with me.

But gone are the days where I am made to feel like less of a person when I give 100% of my effort to do well. I will not ever stop sharing my opinions, what I feel is right or wrong, and I will certainly not let some moronic douche-nozzle dictate how I feel about myself as an adult.

Thank GOD I am done!
Now...when will the end of the damn school year get here?

GAH!....how long til summer vacation?