My trip to Kansas City (I want to call it KC, but I don’t know if that’s kosher - anybody? Kansans?) was excellent if not entirely exhausting.
[Sidenote: Gates' BBQ sauce is TO DIE FOR and I loved the kick it provided. Good on ya, Gates.]
We visited schools that are entrenched in some fantastic reform efforts and the changes they have made are impressive. Next week I have another trip planned for something else and I must go into work tomorrow and BE SEEN so the teachers don’t give me crap for being out of the building all the time.
I got a new gig which is apparently opening my mouth and talking. It’s a wonderful gig because I give good voice and try to sound intelligent enough that people don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me, but this one came about in an embarrassing way.
Two years ago I helped research a technology product we purchased for our school to help reading and math fact skills for our low-performing students and the training was intense over a 3 day period. The trainer left a poor impression and I wrote a scathing evaluation of her and then spoke with the president of the company because he had read it and he wanted to make it right. Later in the school year the president called me to ask if he could come see how implementation was going and to talk to us about getting other schools both inside and outside of my district to come see it.
When he showed up I put two-and-two together (read: paid attention to THEIR LAST NAMES) and realized that I had written that missive about his wife.
She was the trainer.
Even though I come off as a hard ass I don’t ever want to hurt anyone’s feelings and I felt awkward about the whole thing, but he graciously never brought it up again. In fact, he mentioned that all criticism is used to learn how to be better and appreciated my comments.
Still, I felt terrible.
Now, his company wants me to speak at a statewide conference about how we’ve put the program into action and basically “tell our story”. They’re putting me up in a fancy hotel, taking me to dinners, and creating brochures for our school with my picture as a presenter next week.
Dude. I trashed his wife and he offered me a job.
Just so there’s no confusion, he didn’t offer me anything full-time. I am NOT leaving teaching to work for this company and that’s simply because I’d miss the little turkeys too much. They like me stupid. In fact, they prefer it.
The other stupid thing I did in Kansas City was leave my diamond stud earrings in the hotel room. They’re small, but they’re my favorite and I only realized I did it when I had Kennimus take that professional-looking dorky picture for the trade show postcard thingies to hand out to people at the conference. That’s what this is for and HOLY CRAP, IT’S HUGE! AND BLUE! AND THE STRAY HAIR? OY!:
Speaking of stupid, KC? That highway system has got. to go. All kinds of wrong going on there. I don’t want to offend the lovely people of KC, but if I have to I’ll write a scathing letter to your department of transportation.
But I’m not coming to work for them.
February 7, 2007 @ 8:55 pm | Filed under Education, Everyday Mundane | Permalink |
Jane Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
Sure, we all call it KC, too.
RWA Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
Well, look at it this way. Maybe he took the criticism of his wife as constructive. Besides, it’s a compliment to you that he’s asked you to make this presentation - and it shows he can put that behind him and respect your work.
Well done!
Karen Rani Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
It sounds like he did take it constructively, as RWA said.
Also, you look totally hot. Wanna make out?
Little Latte Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! THE EARRINGS I JUST GAVE BACK TO YOU AFTER THREE YEARS OF HAVING/STEALING THEM FROM YOU?? MIND YOU, THEY WENT THROUGH STRENUOUS TRAVEL AND NEVER MADE MY EARS ITCH AND I DECIDE TO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND GIVE THEM BACK TO YOU FOR CHRISTMAS, AND THIS IS HOW YOU THANK ME?!?! SEE, THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS…
Nacole Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
It’s always KC … or KCK or KCMO depending on which side of the state line you were on … and the highway system … REALLY easy when you figure it out … sorry you had a bad experiance … Glad you enjoyed the BBQ
Lady M Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
You look lovely!
I’d love to come hear you speak, but hopefully not where I have to negotiate that KC transportation system.
lara Said,
February 7, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
holy crap, lady, you are SMOKIN! i want you to come visit my school! then my students could sexually harrass you instead of me! yay!
Todd Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 5:40 am
Kelly that is great! You made an impression and you should smoke the opportunity! You are going to do very well. I wish I could hear you speak at the conference
deannie Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 5:55 am
The blue background is good for your eyes! I like this picture, well, except for that stray hair thing going on.
YOU ROCK by the way. Betcha didn’t know that, didja? Well done Mocha.
hugs,
Mocha Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 5:59 am
Jane and Nacole - It wasn’t bad, it was rather humorous. But the potholes? Yikes. I also heard a variation of that “KCMO” as “K. C. Mo” as opposed to saying each letter individually. Still, I liked it.
RWA and Karen - Constructive is the key word here. You’re right. (Karen - can’t make out now. I’ll take a Twinkie and think about it. Think on it.)
Little Latte - Oh, crap. You read this. And YELLED AT ME ON MY OWN DAMN BLOG. Look, kid. I called the hotel and they’ll call me back today when they talk with housekeeping. And stop yelling at me. I’m the mom.
Lady M - Oh, it’s not there in KC. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have traveled home. I would have stayed there and slathered myself in BBQ sauce for a week. Like a mud bath. Ya know?
Todd - YOU would make me nervous having grown up together and all. You’d probably make goofy faces at me for the roller skating incident back in ‘83.
Deannie - You are a DOLL. You give me a Twinkie, too, and I’ll see what I can do. HA.
Suebob Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 7:02 am
The stray hair is kind of…saucy. Makes you look like a real person. A gorgeous real person, BTW.
VENTL8R Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Oh yes, the antiquated interstate system of KC has got to go. I partiularly like the huge green sign that shows 4 lanes converging into one. huge. arrow. Or how the left lane suddenly disappears with no warning and your butt is hanging out, flapping in the breeze whilst you get flipped off by the natives. This is why we stick to I-435 instead of the I-29/I-70 crapola. It’s not as maddening.
I’m right there with ya….
dana Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 8:06 am
But…did you get your earrings back? Please say you did. I would be going crazy. I would be driving back to Kansas (or Kans-ass as my southern friend Amanda says) just to get them. What hotel did you stay in? I’ll go get them.
So…Mocha’s a public speaker! That’s friggin’ awesome!
Steve Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Glad to hear that Gates’ did you right, Kelly. That was one of my favorites, too.
It’s also good to hear that your well-chosen words have opened more doors for you. I might have even commented on how articulate you are, but Joe Biden has recently given the word a racial taint.
lara Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 11:53 am
should i be insulted that you responded to everyone except me? are you trying to tell me something? should i shower more often? i’m also open to suggestions of bribes. i’ll do anything for a little mocha lovin…
Aynde Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Wow I can see how awkward that whole husband wife thing would be….. But something positive came of it. But just to be on the safe side I’d wait until after the evaluations for your speech come in…. yeah….I’m worst case scenario like that.
BTW - *insert billy crystal voice* You look Mah-velous!
furiousball Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Wow, that’s pretty impressive. I’m considering making a Che type t-shirt with your picture, you rebel.
Daisy Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Way to go, woman! I wish I could be there to hear you speak, too. Of course, I’d be so envious of your good looks I might just curl up under my seat, suck my thumb, and rock.
J to the Wall Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I wish we could focus on our own school instead of jumping on every bandwagon that comes through town. What is our school focus? It’s ADD because he can’t focus on anything! Why do we have to model what we do after another school? We made AYP….did they? I also wish we didn’t have to read every book that comes out and have to be experts at the material or strive to be a “model school” for that particular program. I just don’t get it. I wish we could keep our people (teachers, admin, and staff) in school. I would put my job on the line to say that our ISAT scores will not be as good as last year. Why? Because we can’t seem to keep our people in school and we have lost the focus of what is important. We are too busy running around learning stuff for next year. I just don’t get it. Sorry for the soap box. I got a little off topic.
However, I am so glad that you got some good BBQ sauce. That’s the one reason I love to go to Memphis!!
dorothy Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Please e-mail me about these miraculous reforms, if you have time. I live in KCMO (that’s KC-Mo, dawg) and am frustrated by what I’ve heard about the schools. My daughter is almost three, and we’re about to have to make tough decisions about her education.
Sarah Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
Just wanted to say that pic is GORGEOUS! The stray hair isn’t too bad and the background TOTALLY compliments your eyes! Pretty smokin’!
J to the Wall Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
P.S.
That trainer was HORRIBLE!!!! Do NOT feel bad!!!!
Shash Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
You look Hawt! Wanna make out with me? I got cool shoes….
So awesome to hear all the stuff you’re doing!
Shash
Elizabeth Said,
February 8, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
I think you look lovely in that photo, and I don’t think you were stupid for telling the president of the company about the trainer, how could you have known it was his wife? Congratulations on the gig.
I LOVE that your daughter posts as “Little Latte”!
Julie Said,
February 9, 2007 @ 6:02 am
Hee hee, maybe he doesn’t like his wife. HA! Oh well, just show that trainer how it is done. You will be awesome.
I like the photo. You have such pretty eyes.
So, did you call the hotel to get the earrings back?
Chris Said,
February 9, 2007 @ 7:40 am
ROFL. The whole wife thing..yeah..something I would do. Ya know..if I had a profession besides professional diaper changer and toy fixer.
I LOVE that pic. Seriously..you look AWESOME.
Yolanda Said,
February 10, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
The job just speaks of how awesome you truely are. He could obviously see your dedication and capabilities would be more of an asset than taking personal offense to criticism. The pic is gorgeous- you are so hawt!
Mocha Momma » “Redux” Is Overused, But I Don’t Care Said,
February 12, 2007 @ 3:51 am
[...] “Little Latte” is the name Mallory uses to comment here and I thought people would make a comment on that long before now. Perhaps it was because she spent some time YELLING AT ME about the diamond earrings the other day. [...]
Jenn Said,
February 12, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Totally smokin’. I totally agree. Damn, baby. You don’t look like a coffee addict, just PURE NATURALLY CAFFEINATED HOTNESS.
Mocha Momma » Yes, Opportunity. I Hear You Knocking. Said,
February 22, 2007 @ 6:08 am
[...] My presentation in Chicago at the NCLB conference went excellently and I couldn’t be more pleased. I could have been more prepared, like remembering to bring a projector or copying off my powerpoint, but whatever. It’s not like I’m a teacher that has gotten upset when a student comes to my class unprepared. Do you remember when I said that the owner of that company offered me a job but not like a job-where-I’d-have-to-leave-my-current-job? [...]
Ariana Said,
February 24, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
I think you look quite beautiful in that picture. And I didn’t notice the stray hair until you mentioned it.