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July 27, 2005

I'm changing professions

Our fearless leader, John Robinson, already shared this news with the blogosphere, but I wanted to tell you myself.

I'm leaving the News & Record after next week, to become an English teacher at Southwest High School.

I got my bachelor's and master's in English, with the intention of teaching. But then my love for writing got in the way, and I became a journalist. Eight years later, I've decided the urge to get back behind the desk is just too great. And I was fortunate enough to get contracts for three books during the past year. So, I can continue to write.

I'll be teaching 9'th grade AP, multicultural literature, creative writing and journalism.

I've enjoyed my time at the News & Record. This is a great paper that's trying to stay on the cutting edge without losing its focus on journalism's traditional values. Hopefully, I'll still be able to write columns for the paper. And I'll certainly urge my students to do the same.

Posted by at July 27, 2005 9:43 AM

Comments

You are coming to Southwest High School? That's too bad, my daughter could have walked there in 5 minutes, but thanks to the School Board she'll now be on the other side of town starting next month.

Brace yourself Justin. It's not going to be the the same Southwest anymore.

Please do what you can to keep any of your students that don't belong in the surrounding neighborhoods out of those neighborhoods. My neighbors and I plan on making sure our children extend the same courtesy by not loitering in the neighborhoods that surround Central and Andrews.

Posted by: Buckmtn at July 27, 2005 11:53 AM

I wonder when the BOE will implement the High Point Teacher Lottery?

Teachers shouldn't be allowed to live within walking distance of their school if neighborhood children are not allowed that same luxury.

How will you explain it to the neighbor kids there in Waterford Meadows that you get to go to the school around the corner but they must catch a bus to take them all the way across town? Won't you feel guilty that you'll be home hours before them?

Think about the kids you'll have from Andrews and Central. I hope you won't count off when grading papers for bad handwriting. It's not easy to do your homework on a bus.

Also, I hope you'll be an advocate AGAINST this busing CRAP and NOT fall into the "I'll just be quiet and go about my job" hypnotic state that some teachers are in.

I'm happy for you that a CHOICE was offered to you in your employment. I have no doubts that you will be a fine teacher that the students will like. I pray that you'll be an advocate for neighborhood schools for North High Point, just like the rest of the school district is allowed to have.

Posted by: mah at July 27, 2005 3:38 PM

I applied to all the high schools in Guilford County that had open positions for English teachers. Andrews was not one of them, and neither was Central.

Posted by: Justin Cord Hayes at July 27, 2005 3:59 PM

Congrats Mr. Hayes on your new position.

You mentioned that you're teaching AP English 9?? There's never been an AP for any subject for ninth grade...something new?

I know they've been pushing 10th graders to take AP's, but I think 9th grade is a little much. Do you think 14 yr. olds are really ready for college level work? Isn't 9th grade already considered a difficult adjustment period? Just wondering...thanks!

Posted by: Sandy at July 27, 2005 5:21 PM

Hey, Sandy. You're right. I'm still pretty new at this. It's honors English, not AP. Thanks for noticing that.

Posted by: Justin Cord Hayes at July 27, 2005 7:41 PM

Justin,

Again, welcome to teaching!

Sincerely,

Hardy

Posted by: Seymour Hardy Floyd at July 28, 2005 1:03 AM

When you have your students write columns for the paper, I hope it won't be more opinions of what racists NWH and SWH people are.

The High Point Enterprises has their own personal columnist writing all that trash now. We all think we have heard enough lies for now.

General Slak continues to march on. He is working on his 9th star. Once his efforts in Washington are successful , the star will be forthcoming.

Rock on General and Chancellor Wormer!!!!

Posted by: Darlene at July 31, 2005 10:09 AM

Buckmountain man,

I guess you heard by now about the added neighborhood watch patrols going in place for August 25. Plans are going quite well.

We will not tolerate loitering and gang activities in our neighborhood. I hope Justin has taken his self-defense training classes.

Good luck in your new career in babysitting. And you thought you would get to teach....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Posted by: Vince at July 31, 2005 11:20 PM

Seymour,
Thanks for the nice post on your blog.

Vince and Buckmountain,
It's a shame you think so poorly of everyone who attends Southwest but does not live in north High Point.

Posted by: Justin Hayes at August 1, 2005 2:31 PM