The first time it was brought to my attention that I am not “normed” properly was my second or third year of teaching. The middle school where I taught was on the far east side of Des Moines with all the problems that “east of Eden” implies. The principal, a stern old schooler who would eventually come to loathe me, had a small group of us meeting after school one day to discuss best practices. Best practices is the last new title given to the collection of common sense things that all good teachers do to engage, corral, coerce and lift up their kids. I don’t know what they term it now as I have been out of education for almost a year and the buzz words move at the speed of sound in my former field though the ideas never really change.
At some point in the conversation, I pointed out that much of what we were discussing were practical things that all teachers do. My principal turned to me, smiled, and said,
“No, they don’t.”
“But I do these things.”
“You are not like other teachers.”
At the time I didn’t feel complimented and perhaps I wasn’t being given one. I was puzzled. Teaching was something that just came to me like manna in the desert to the Hebrews minus the wandering aimlessly. It never occurred to me that I was different. I thought I had discovered a place to belong. Or I hoped I had.
Today I find myself in much the same place career wise. While most others see the blogosphere as inferior to writing for print, I see limitless possibilities and opportunities for writers. Self-publishing and writing for nothing but the chance to be read are not generally viewed as positives by “real writers”. I can see their point. The goal is to give up the day job at some point and one can’t do that unless one’s words are being purchased.
I would like to be purchased. Bought and taken home to be perused and thought about and discussed. It’s not that I don’t have that goal too, but the true aim of my writing is to find an impact point within the people who read my thoughts. Does this put me out of stride with other writers as my long ago self was out of stride with other teachers? For the most part, I guess it does though I have found many more like minds as a writer than I ever did as a teacher.
Being different bothered me when I was younger. Lately however I have come to celebrate my inner Pippi Longstocking. There is nothing wrong, in fact much right, about walking backward or on my hands, and though I am much more likely to walk backwards than with my legs akimbo in the air (due to the gravity thing and my lack of agility), I am happy to be happy with my stride these days.
anniegirl1138 
I never fit in with the other English teachers, either. Still don’t. I realized that there were reasons for the slacker stereotype (those who can, do, those who can’t, teach) that teaching as a profession has once I left the profession and started working in the private sector at a vendor for school districts. People who can’t spell, don’t understand their subject area, and myriad other problems. I had no idea when I was safe in my classroom, queen of my tiny domain, that there was a whole lotta nothin’ going on in the classrooms around me. Yikes.
As for writing, it’s enough for me that a handful of people think it’s important enough to take time out of their days to see what I have to say; I write, therefore I’m a writer. More validation than that is nice, but not required.
Every time I hear “best practices” my hackles go way up. In any event, I totally agree with what you are saying here and I wish I could express it as eloquently as you.
I have debated endlessly about this. I went to school for writing, and have dedicated my professional career to writing. This is me, professional. As such, it means that all my efforts go towards being compensated. Since I’m working independently, I understand it’s a lot of working for free.
But I see red big time when I hear of large, for profit groups snagging writers for free. I see red that they do not offer fair compensation and no i don’t accept or understand the thing about cows and milk. BE HONEST–pay for the service you get!
I see red that writers accept this,a nd that if one say sno, pay me, there are 100s lined up behind that will do it for free.
How do major newspapers and magazines—which had to PAY writers once upon a time—have more FREE writers?
People find it a side job and do it for free and like the fame and that’s enough.
Except it edged out an entire profession.
So yes, I want to relate, but I need to be paid. And my goals are always to get to a point where I can pay and be paid.
I love your last paragraph.
And I believe that the ability to teach is a gift, and sometimes, people enter the field for reasons other than why you did. Thus, I believe the principal’s words.
That was your space, and it should have been–and probably was—a compliment, on some level.
Silver, I think some people blog just to get that shot at turning it into a book. I would love to see a book with my name on it someday, but being read is the most important thing and I don’t ever discount this genre as purposeful and meaningful.
Emily, sadly the good of the students is not foremost – still.
It makes me sad that being a good teacher put you out of stride with the others.
I just like to know that someone is reading my blog, and looking at my pictures. All I need is an attagirl. If somebody offers me a book deal, I’ll take it if it’s right, but I’m not trying for one like Renal Failure.