Day Two: Walking Backwards

by Zack Eustis

Day Two

Surprisingly, walking backwards was far less hazardous on my health than frolfing my way to work had been on day one. The temperature today was minus 6 degrees with a windchill of minus 21 which allowed the student bus patrollers to stay inside rather than on the corner, meaning I was fending for myself when I crossed the street. The most challenging obstacles I faced were those damn patches of ice, both curbs on the street, the downhill slope that goes past the student drop off area/the slightly less friendly parents, and finally the stairs leading up to the school. By the time I got there my legs were exhausted and using the railing to get up to the door was necessary. A third grader was kind enough to hold the door for me but seemed to be looking for my employee ID badge at the same time. I was very surprised at how many times my body would start to turn back around, trying to walk forwards. I actually had to force myself to stay on my backwards path and not give in to the temptation of walking the same way I have for twenty five and a half years (minus a few rare moments including the time I ran out to recess backwards and slipped on the sand when I was ten, and when they forced us to run backwards as training for baseball). The rest of the day was a pretty standard six and a half hours, highlighted by the gym teacher lending me a jump rope overnight, solidifying my day 3 method of commuting.

There are countless chances for "That's what she said" jokes in an average school day that for professional reasons are in my best interest to keep to myself. That said, I will be adding a daily TWSS to my daily posts. Here is one from yesterday:

Teacher (speaking to kindergartners): "Remember, we aren't doing it as partners anymore. You're doing it all by yourself."

Photo: Is of me struggling to keep my balance. The school is visible in the upper left hand corner.