Shoe Personality of the Week: 10/5

Once upon a time, long long ago, in a land called High School, these shoes were hot [in black]. I always liked them, introduced to me by some of my favorite groups, including Jodeci, but I never actually laced up a pair. The 2 main reasons are I was tiny and the shoes always looked big and heavy, and the Goth kids at school wore them and there was no need for guilt by association.

Doc Martens offer a [more] stylish take on the military combat boot. This week, I have to marry style with discipline as I stand with my [cringing...some know why] colleagues to protest the disrespectful mishandling of teachers, and therefore students in the long run, by the Wicked Witch of the East. Thursday, we're going to rally together in support of ourselves. This effort will simply be one of solidarity and not a cry that actually reaches the ears of the many. Why? Because it will happen at a time when it will affect no one. The key players (we the teachers) need to shut this system down and let the higher ups truly feel the impact. Unfortunately, to gain any understanding and garner the proper support, it's going to have to affect students and families too. They need to show up for school at least once and discover what it's like NOT to find teachers in the building. Even if you only identify with teachers from a babysitting standpoint, which many parents do, you'll be hit hard and perhaps start to recognize who is REALLY NECESSARY in schools.

It's time to make our voices heard and our presence felt. This won't be that time, but I'll be there for the symbolism. I've always wanted something truly meaningful to fight for. I guess this is my time. While I'll probably be out there wearing a comfortable tennis shoe to offer support for tired feet at the end of a school day, in my mind I'll be stylishly disciplined in true Doc Martens tradition, hopefully participating in setting the stage for positive and equitable change.

Watch me move.