Starsky and Hutch.

Today I really missed my friend Clark.


Mr. McCracken and I taught together at Northwest for the past two years, and it was stinkin' fun. The kids were fascinated by who was taller. This is proof from Science City at Union Station that Clark is about an inch taller than me. Bonus: according to this ruler, I'm only 5'11". HA.

Clark played football at KU, and if there was a fight in the hallway, I would dive in to stop the kids while at the same time yelling, "Clark, CLARK!" as loud as I could. Because they really stopped when Mr. McCracken showed up.

This morning I was chatting with my team teacher Jill outside of her classroom when I turned around to see two students punching each other. And they meant it. I helped break it up and escorted one of the students to the office. Rachel didn't believe me that it happened, and the vice principal assured me that it was a very rare occurrence. "No matter," I said, "makes me feel at home."

At the same time, I missed Clark. We were Starsky and Hutch, keeping order in the halls. When we weren't fighting crime, we were fighting with each other. We argued every single day about instruction, football, discipline and who was the better teacher. But that constant bickering made us better teachers.

I really really love my new teachers that I team with, and I'm not just saying that because Jill reads my blog. They are kind, know me well already, interested in helping my uninteresting love life, and wearing matching outfits. Seriously. Zach and I matched on Monday and kids noticed. I'll call him before I wear that hunter green v-neck again.

I'll be home in November long enough to stop by and see Northwest. During my short visit, I hope Clark makes fun of my football team, calls me a quitter and argues with me about reading instruction. That would make me feel better.