What was your job back on Earth? I've always been curious. I taught eighth-grade math in Tallahassee. Huh, I said. That's not what I expected. Are you kidding? Powell said back. You try teaching algebra to a bunch of little shitheads for thirty-eight years straight. The way I figure it I've got about another decade before my rage from that gets entirely burned up.
In the book "The End of All Things" by John Scalzi, a character reflects on their past life before space, revealing their profession as an eighth-grade math teacher in Tallahassee. This revelation surprises another character, who did not anticipate such a job from this individual. The teacher humorously responds to the surprise by expressing the challenges of teaching algebra to difficult students over many years.
The teacher shares their perspective on the frustrations faced throughout their career, implying that dealing with unruly students has left them with lasting feelings of annoyance, which they expect will diminish only after a decade. This exchange highlights the struggle and dedication involved in teaching, even amidst challenges.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
