I. I taught for the San Diego School District during my first year of teaching. I was trained as an educator who was on a mission to reform the public school system. One who was dedicated to creating a democratic classroom, in the tradition of the educational philosopher John Dewey. I wanted my students to be able to think critically, and to question authority. I wanted them to become empowered. I failed miserably.
I quit my teaching job half way through the school year, just before Christmas break, and traveled to India. I wanted to focus on meditation, a fascination I have ever since I was a child. I also traveled to Nepal, and trekked in the Himalaya. I traveled and meditated for about six months.
II. I returned to the United States and taught for the Portland School District the following school year. I learned from the mistakes I made the previous year. I established some structure, as in classroom rules. However, I let the students become actively involved in deciding the appropriate rules and the appropriate consequences during the first week of class, and we then stayed with the established rules for the rest of the year. I was well liked by the students, and the year was pleasant. Although, I still don't know if I have taught them anything.
III. I decided to move back to Seattle when the school year ended. Portland School District wanted me to continue teaching there, but I wanted to move back to Seattle. I think I wanted to return to Seattle because I still had not gotten over my ex-wife.
IV. For three years, I kept applying for a teaching position with the Seattle School District. I had a good placement file and great recommendations, but I couldn't get a job interview with the Seattle School District. I couldn't even get on the Substitute Teachers list.
There were a lot of Vietnamese students in the school district, and I was one of the few certificated bilingual teachers who spoke Vietnamese, but I couldn't get a teaching job. There were Japanese-Americans on both the school board, and in the school district administrative office.
V. In 1997, I decided to move back to Olympia, to be near the school I loved and a teacher I admired.