Quick back story: The alternative HS where I work is housed in an old building (est. circa 194longtimeago) and is rather the black sheep of our school district. My room in particular has two dinosaur heating units, one that has never worked since I've moved in (its vents are packed with ancient sticky candies and mangled bobby pins) and one that makes an impressive blowing sound but has never really inspired much warmth. Thus, when I turned it on Monday it blew valiantly during the hour we were there, but we never took off our coats.
Tuesday morning, I got to school early and walked into the meat locker formerly known as my classroom. Despite the loud fierce "FEEL ME, I'M A HEATER!" noises, there was no noticeable temperature change in the hour before classes started. By 4th period, my lips had turned blue. Students were fearful, and not in a good way I could take advantage of; I was shivering too violently to be commanding. In fact, the teens were admonishing me for not wearing a heavier sweater; when I mentioned that I'd worn the same outfit the week before without freezing, they shouted (seriously, as a juvenile Greek chorus) "But it's colder this week!" Suddenly I'm teaching budding meteorologists. All this from people who are still wearing flip flops and Capri pants in January.
Wednesday morning: A pocket-sized space heater arrives; I set it precisely next to my feet at the desk. (Remember - happy teacher, happy class). Of course, whenever I need to actually teach I am out of its range. I keep my coat on, along with my tank top/t-shirt/sweater layers, all day. Plus gloves, when I don't have to write on the chalkboard, or type. Three larger, more forceful space heaters appeared later in the day; one promptly blew a circuit that included my computer.
Thursday: Circuit repaired; classroom less icy by 10 am. At noon, two different breakers went down and when we moved the heaters to another outlet...Well. Apparently my room is a) so antiquated that modern power sources render it uninhabitable or b) possessed by wicked cold-loving spirits. My computer was out again, along with my iPod speakers and tiny personal ankle heater.
Friday morning: Our beloved building maintenance dude fixed all the circuits and turned on my space heaters at 6 am so that the room was cozy and functional by 8:30. I got to show off the t-shirt my sister gave me for Christmas (layered over a tank top and long-sleeve thermal undershirt), and NO GLOVES! However, the district maintenance gang let my principal know that the official stance on our situation is: We won't be fixing those heaters because they're too old; besides, this is just a cold snap. Blue lips? Who cares - we're an alternative school, right?
I'm wavering between grinning (with gritted chattering teeth) & bearing it through the cold snap and rallying a posse of our best hell-raisers to storm the district office. I'll decide when I've fully defrosted.
