I walked into the brick and stone building carrying books I intended to use, plus a purse carrying the tools to write on the whiteboard or blackboard, whichever the classroom I was assigned required. This part of the building was old, with archways over each staircase. Peeking into one of the classrooms, I noticed a modern whiteboard but old-fashioned desks. Greeted by a portly man bearing an unctuous smile, I warily smiled back. He pointed to one of the staircases and advised me to head up that way. Someone would guide me from there. I nodded and turned to take his advice.
Going up the stairs wearing heels and lugging the books was a challenge. I decided whoever gave me directions would also let me know where I could place the books. I reached the next level. Another man greeted me by adding two clothing boxes to my arms. “Where do I go from here? Would you know where my classroom will be?” I asked. He didn’t but advised me to turn right where I saw another archway. Slipping a bit on the tile, I walked to the series of archways. There were other people there. I peered over the shoulders of one of them and saw a row of people blocking our way. They were telling each person a different way to proceed. Down another set of stairs.Up another set of stairs. Return the way they came. Down the hall in the back of them. I was to go up another set of stairs.
Each time I reached the destination, a person advised me to go, another person greeted me. One person apologized for so many different people notifying us. With each person I met, they either took a book or gave me something else to carry. Most of the things they gave me were worthless. One person gave me a black sweatsuit that was huge, but he piled it on top of what I was carrying anyway. The books were updated versions of the books I brought. Many were for courses I wasn’t assigned to teach.
At one point, I lost a shoe. I hobbled around, noticing other shoes left behind by others. For quite a while, I wandered about taking the advice of administrator-like individuals. The majority were men, very few women. The women were not saying much but often nodding to whatever the men were saying.
I woke up frustrated. I have been retired from teaching public school for two years, but somehow I knew the dream symbolized education.