GO!
Another week begins for me in about 8 hours. I will again walk into a classroom that I do not feel completely comfortable in, with students whose names I am still learning, and in a school that I am not so sure I belong in.
I have had a nice quiet weekend despite what this next week brings and what came about last week. I will start the new week with a postivie outlook. I will mail home letters to parents of students who are miserably failing my class due to their lack of work ethic asking for their assistance in turning their child's current situation around. I do not know ow many of them I will get an actual response from..... but I will try. That is all I can really do, right? Try.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
And the beat goes on......
It has been an interesting week. Met up with some individuals from my previous school and learned more than I thought I would ever learn about what happened there. Just as I thought I had begun to leave it behind it crept back up.
I have, in the past, likened it to a death of a close friend. There is the grieving process that we must all go through when we lose a close friend or family member. I, and other who had the rug pulled out from under us when we were given those letters of thank, but no thanks have been going through the same emotions as someone who loses someone close to them. We have been angry - definitely angry. Have cried, a lot. Been sad for reasons we can't quite put our fingers on. Felt a longing for what we miss and long for an understanding of why. Why me? Why us? It is very much like losing a large part of your family at once. One day you are there, with others who share your excitement and energy for the students and the next you are sent on your way to the next school.
For most of us, the next school hasn't been the big bag of chip we had hoped for. There were a few of us who were bouncing around at the beginning of the year. A couple who found themselves new homes outside the district, and others who have been fortunate to land somewhere decent. None of us, from those I have spoken with have landed anywhere we feel as comfortable as we did when we were in our previous school. The family has been broken up. We are mourning. My question: how long does one mourn? How long does a group mourn?
I was telling K, on the way to wrok the other day, that I don't have that feeling of need to go to work yet. Maybe need is not the word, maybe purpose, or maybe its the feeling of desire to be there. Before the break up of the family I found myself looking forward to most days. there are always days when you would rather be somewhere else, but most days I didn't dread going into work. The students were challenging, but it was rewarding. I wanted to give 110% of what I had to offer when I was at work.
Now - what am I there for? Who am I? I have made no real conections yet. I am not saying I have secluded myself, nor am I jumping out into the halls shaking hands and introducing my happy ass to everyone that walks by. This school has a different feel and it isn't a feeling I have gotten in touch with. I am actually not sure I ever will. the teachers I have talked with have said there isn't that family feel here. They don't step out into the halls greeting each other. They seem so isolated. How do I learn to deal with that?
I am in mourning, still. I yearn for my colleauges, my knowledge of my surroundings, my involvemnet, the feeling of belonging, and support. I mourn for a loss of innocence in the thought that education, that educators, are truly there for the students, that it isn't about politics, but about the students. I miss being able to teach.
I have, in the past, likened it to a death of a close friend. There is the grieving process that we must all go through when we lose a close friend or family member. I, and other who had the rug pulled out from under us when we were given those letters of thank, but no thanks have been going through the same emotions as someone who loses someone close to them. We have been angry - definitely angry. Have cried, a lot. Been sad for reasons we can't quite put our fingers on. Felt a longing for what we miss and long for an understanding of why. Why me? Why us? It is very much like losing a large part of your family at once. One day you are there, with others who share your excitement and energy for the students and the next you are sent on your way to the next school.
For most of us, the next school hasn't been the big bag of chip we had hoped for. There were a few of us who were bouncing around at the beginning of the year. A couple who found themselves new homes outside the district, and others who have been fortunate to land somewhere decent. None of us, from those I have spoken with have landed anywhere we feel as comfortable as we did when we were in our previous school. The family has been broken up. We are mourning. My question: how long does one mourn? How long does a group mourn?
I was telling K, on the way to wrok the other day, that I don't have that feeling of need to go to work yet. Maybe need is not the word, maybe purpose, or maybe its the feeling of desire to be there. Before the break up of the family I found myself looking forward to most days. there are always days when you would rather be somewhere else, but most days I didn't dread going into work. The students were challenging, but it was rewarding. I wanted to give 110% of what I had to offer when I was at work.
Now - what am I there for? Who am I? I have made no real conections yet. I am not saying I have secluded myself, nor am I jumping out into the halls shaking hands and introducing my happy ass to everyone that walks by. This school has a different feel and it isn't a feeling I have gotten in touch with. I am actually not sure I ever will. the teachers I have talked with have said there isn't that family feel here. They don't step out into the halls greeting each other. They seem so isolated. How do I learn to deal with that?
I am in mourning, still. I yearn for my colleauges, my knowledge of my surroundings, my involvemnet, the feeling of belonging, and support. I mourn for a loss of innocence in the thought that education, that educators, are truly there for the students, that it isn't about politics, but about the students. I miss being able to teach.
Monday, October 22, 2007
18 already?
Tomorrow our eldest turns 18. Now R is K's biological son, so she has been around him a few years longer than I. I inherited him after the diaper changing, burping, colicky, snot noses, time to learn to ride a bike stage, by none the less he is our eldest. I came into his life right after he turned 9. Hard to believe it has been that long.
R and I have not always gotten along well. In fact there have been quite a few rough patches. He's never been to pleased with me being around and I haven't been too pleased with his attitude. I genuinely worry that he doesn't know enough about the basics. The little things, like changing a tire, putting air into one (yes, I am being honest here. We have learned he may not know how to put air into a tire.) I have had many discussions with K - some of them a little heated - on the fact that R doesn't quite know how to use elbow grease to get things done. Mind you, he isn't a book worm or a science geek by any form of the word, but he has this attitude that someone else can handle it.
Actually its the attitude that it is someone else's problem and if it is trully mine I will pay someone to do it for me. This BUGS me. ALOT!! He did not pick this up from me, nor K. In fact I do a lot of the work around the house myself, whenever possible. The new dishwasher, stove, water heater, and washer/dryer was all installed without calling a repair man. Why pay them when you can do it yourself is my thought.
I wouldl ike to say that R willingly helps out around the house, but he doesn't. Which leads me to the other part of his attitude. It isn't my problem - I don't have to help anyone. He has this attitude that he doean't have to or won'tjust help out. I don't get it, nor do I know how to help it.
So now, in 45 minutes he is 18. What changes? I am not sure. K feels a bit older right now. She isn't ready for him to be 18. I feel, well, like somewhere we missed something.
R and I don't have a great relationship - unfortunately, we most likely never will. There were too many things against us. His being a child who needed to dislike anything and anyone that burst that dream that his parents would get back together didn't help. His father talking crap only made it worse.
My hope is that he turns 18 gracefully. That he doesn't try to be a big bad adult too soon and pulls the "I'm a man" jeans on very slowly. That he learns the little things before he realizes he missed them when it costs him more than he can afford and that at some point he realizes that I wasn't such a bad person after all. That I only tried to help, that I cared enough to stay when I never had to.
R and I have not always gotten along well. In fact there have been quite a few rough patches. He's never been to pleased with me being around and I haven't been too pleased with his attitude. I genuinely worry that he doesn't know enough about the basics. The little things, like changing a tire, putting air into one (yes, I am being honest here. We have learned he may not know how to put air into a tire.) I have had many discussions with K - some of them a little heated - on the fact that R doesn't quite know how to use elbow grease to get things done. Mind you, he isn't a book worm or a science geek by any form of the word, but he has this attitude that someone else can handle it.
Actually its the attitude that it is someone else's problem and if it is trully mine I will pay someone to do it for me. This BUGS me. ALOT!! He did not pick this up from me, nor K. In fact I do a lot of the work around the house myself, whenever possible. The new dishwasher, stove, water heater, and washer/dryer was all installed without calling a repair man. Why pay them when you can do it yourself is my thought.
I wouldl ike to say that R willingly helps out around the house, but he doesn't. Which leads me to the other part of his attitude. It isn't my problem - I don't have to help anyone. He has this attitude that he doean't have to or won'tjust help out. I don't get it, nor do I know how to help it.
So now, in 45 minutes he is 18. What changes? I am not sure. K feels a bit older right now. She isn't ready for him to be 18. I feel, well, like somewhere we missed something.
R and I don't have a great relationship - unfortunately, we most likely never will. There were too many things against us. His being a child who needed to dislike anything and anyone that burst that dream that his parents would get back together didn't help. His father talking crap only made it worse.
My hope is that he turns 18 gracefully. That he doesn't try to be a big bad adult too soon and pulls the "I'm a man" jeans on very slowly. That he learns the little things before he realizes he missed them when it costs him more than he can afford and that at some point he realizes that I wasn't such a bad person after all. That I only tried to help, that I cared enough to stay when I never had to.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Educated does not mean Ethical
I admit, I am glad the week is over. I have had a long week that should not have been as stressful as it was. The problem wasn't even the students I have to deal with. These issues were all educated people created.
As an educator you are expected to follow certain ethical codes. Not just your basic no lying, cheating, or sleeping with student ethics (those should be the easier ones to abide by truthfully.) There are those other things such as keeping your mouth shut about students. Not be derogatory no matter how awful your experience may have been with said student. Another is to be fair. Yes, in the education of children it is expected that each child is treated fair and as equal as possible. I say as possible because there are those special cases in which students with challenges have modifications and accommodations given to them that are not given to the child with a 130+ IQ.
My challenge this week has been to deal with teachers of lower ethical standards in the way the address students. I believe I mentioned earlier about my instant class load. I was given 6 classes. They are now my responsibility. The previous teacher has no further responsibility for the child's grades as of the day they were officially put on my roll. So, my question, why is it that 4 days after they became I my classes were failing grades put into the system and these students give progress reports with my name listed next to these grades that I did not generate? The first answer I got was "Things happen. Must have been a computer glitch."
To further my problem, why is it that the man who has been found to have done it, one of the prior teachers, and now a part-time administrator, found it necessary to comment that the students he gave failing grades to were worthless anyhow. He has never given me the students prior grades. The only reason I have any of them is due to the fact that the student teacher I now have was with him and he had access to the grades and copied them before the transfers took place.
How is it that a person who has this view of our student, of any student, has been given the position of leader, in ANY capacity!? I realize we have our challenging students. However challenging they may be he has the ethical responsibility to act as a leader in education and keep his personal opinion to himself and keep his big mouth shut! He is in a leadership role then breaks not only ethical rules but possible laws by entering grades that were attached to my name. Grades I am accountable for.
So what do I do? Its an interesting question. I know I need to cover my own ass.
Problem two this week started out not as a problem.... but ended up that way.
I was finally given a day to plan. I was told my classes would be covered, that there would be a sub. Well, I got some planning done, then I found out that some of my classes were missing subs. I hadn't been given a sub as previously mentioned, but in fact my classes were assigned different subs for each period. They were pulling subs from teachers during the off periods to cover my class. Wouldn't be a problem if they were making sure the classes were being covered. I have classes that weren't covered. I had classes sitting there without supervision.
When asked what happened my student teacher was told, "Things happen."
Oh yeah, things happen - things happen in a classroom of freshmen with no adult supervision. Things happen that can cause physical harm in a class that contains known gang members without adult supervision.
Things happen alright!
Oh and to top it all off - my two books for class seem to have grown legs and walked off. I slightly need them to prepare my lectures. I have checked at home, where I thought I left them, and have looked in my classroom. I need to find a nice way to ask my student teacher if he has them. If I can't find them soon I will have to go buy new ones.
But hey... Things happen!
As an educator you are expected to follow certain ethical codes. Not just your basic no lying, cheating, or sleeping with student ethics (those should be the easier ones to abide by truthfully.) There are those other things such as keeping your mouth shut about students. Not be derogatory no matter how awful your experience may have been with said student. Another is to be fair. Yes, in the education of children it is expected that each child is treated fair and as equal as possible. I say as possible because there are those special cases in which students with challenges have modifications and accommodations given to them that are not given to the child with a 130+ IQ.
My challenge this week has been to deal with teachers of lower ethical standards in the way the address students. I believe I mentioned earlier about my instant class load. I was given 6 classes. They are now my responsibility. The previous teacher has no further responsibility for the child's grades as of the day they were officially put on my roll. So, my question, why is it that 4 days after they became I my classes were failing grades put into the system and these students give progress reports with my name listed next to these grades that I did not generate? The first answer I got was "Things happen. Must have been a computer glitch."
To further my problem, why is it that the man who has been found to have done it, one of the prior teachers, and now a part-time administrator, found it necessary to comment that the students he gave failing grades to were worthless anyhow. He has never given me the students prior grades. The only reason I have any of them is due to the fact that the student teacher I now have was with him and he had access to the grades and copied them before the transfers took place.
How is it that a person who has this view of our student, of any student, has been given the position of leader, in ANY capacity!? I realize we have our challenging students. However challenging they may be he has the ethical responsibility to act as a leader in education and keep his personal opinion to himself and keep his big mouth shut! He is in a leadership role then breaks not only ethical rules but possible laws by entering grades that were attached to my name. Grades I am accountable for.
So what do I do? Its an interesting question. I know I need to cover my own ass.
Problem two this week started out not as a problem.... but ended up that way.
I was finally given a day to plan. I was told my classes would be covered, that there would be a sub. Well, I got some planning done, then I found out that some of my classes were missing subs. I hadn't been given a sub as previously mentioned, but in fact my classes were assigned different subs for each period. They were pulling subs from teachers during the off periods to cover my class. Wouldn't be a problem if they were making sure the classes were being covered. I have classes that weren't covered. I had classes sitting there without supervision.
When asked what happened my student teacher was told, "Things happen."
Oh yeah, things happen - things happen in a classroom of freshmen with no adult supervision. Things happen that can cause physical harm in a class that contains known gang members without adult supervision.
Things happen alright!
Oh and to top it all off - my two books for class seem to have grown legs and walked off. I slightly need them to prepare my lectures. I have checked at home, where I thought I left them, and have looked in my classroom. I need to find a nice way to ask my student teacher if he has them. If I can't find them soon I will have to go buy new ones.
But hey... Things happen!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Friendship
A Friend sent this, thought I'd share.
"True Friendship" (With none of that Sissy Crap!!!!)
Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our friendship.
1 When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you that way.
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you finally got laid.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want to catch whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
9. This is my oath..... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask ?, "Because you are my friend".
Friendship is like peeing your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.
"True Friendship" (With none of that Sissy Crap!!!!)
Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our friendship.
1 When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you that way.
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you finally got laid.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want to catch whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
9. This is my oath..... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask ?, "Because you are my friend".
Friendship is like peeing your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
So who had the damn bright idea to slow down the production of oil and ethanol? I realize we have fosil fuel issues, hello I teach about it, but I also have bank account issues. How are we suppose to sustain our budget paying $2.50 plus, no make that $2.60 plus a gallon of gas? I would be more than happy to use alternative fuels if they were made available to me. Ethanol, I am all for it - can't get it in this area.
I'd drive a hybrid, if I could afford to buy one. I would ride a motorcycle - but K is VERY against that. Too many people have been killed in this area by people who do not riders. Riding to work everyday would save us on gas, but would cause fear for her.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ex's are assess!
K's ex is an ass. He is suppose to have the kids back by 6 pm and it is now after 10 pm. He has decided he isn't bringing them back until tomorrow morning. Forget the fact that they have school and he is a 2 1/2 hour drive away and they have to be in school by 830 and they have long days with practices after school. Lets forget the fact that there is a court order saying he has to have them back by 6. Oh an maybe we can forget that we won't do a damn thing about it because we leave in a screwed up state and it would cause more hell for us if K did anything than if we just let it go. If we just be the adults and let it freakin go! I am pissed! How do I let it go?
No matter how it is that I do, I must let it go. If I don't I will be angry with no one to direct it at except the wrong people. The kids are 17, almost 18, and 16. If they had a major problem with it they would have used their cells and called right? So why are we so pissed off? Because he could be a man about it, no not even adult about it, and call to let us know that they are still there and what his plans were. How flippin adult is that?
I do know that this little incident has made it a little clearer about our moving in the future. If we are further away he is less of a problem for us, or at least that is the hope.
K is upset and she has every right to be. She is not sure what to do. I am assuming it will be one of those things where we just sweep it under the bridge and let it pass. If we were in another state, where we had better legal standing, we'd have more choices.
I ask for the strength, the patience, and the ability to just deal with this in the best possible way.
No matter how it is that I do, I must let it go. If I don't I will be angry with no one to direct it at except the wrong people. The kids are 17, almost 18, and 16. If they had a major problem with it they would have used their cells and called right? So why are we so pissed off? Because he could be a man about it, no not even adult about it, and call to let us know that they are still there and what his plans were. How flippin adult is that?
I do know that this little incident has made it a little clearer about our moving in the future. If we are further away he is less of a problem for us, or at least that is the hope.
K is upset and she has every right to be. She is not sure what to do. I am assuming it will be one of those things where we just sweep it under the bridge and let it pass. If we were in another state, where we had better legal standing, we'd have more choices.
I ask for the strength, the patience, and the ability to just deal with this in the best possible way.
Friday, October 12, 2007
OMG I am tired!!
It has been a long week! I have just completed my first full week of classes with at my new high school. I have to be honest - not taking to freshmen yet. They are smartasses to the enth degree. They think they know everything yet can't answer simple questions about the geography of the US let alone the state they love in. The main subject I teach right now is Geography. I truly believe these kids need to know where in the world they are and how to read a map. They seem to think they know how to get every where they ever want to be.I have been busting my butt all week trying to stay ahead of the students. I am also teaching an Advanced Placement class that is taking a ton of time to plan. This weekend I have brought home about four books to pull information from, downloaded information from various sites, printed out 200 plus pages of information from the AP website, and still feel like I have forgotten something.
I inherited a student teacher, who, I must admit hasbeen helpful, for the most part, in making the transition smoother than it may have been. Has has also been helpful in getting me organized faster because he is slightly ANAL. He needs a road map to life I swear. He has yet to learn that at times, nt just in education, things don't go according to plan and you have to deal with the cards you have in front of you. (There is no draw pile when you are alone in a classroom.)
One of the quirkiest ideas we have come up with is our very unique bathroom pass. That's right - a toilet seat. Not the lid, just the seat. We have the classroom number on it and the students must take it with them if they need to use the bathroom. If they really have to go, the'll go, no matter what the pass looks like. It has really cut down on the amount of traffice leaving my classroom.
I have many things to accomplish this weekend - one of them is to reconect with K. She commented to me just today when I got home from work, again closer to 6pm than I prefer, that she misses me. I have been in town all week - I don't travel for work. She said - even when you are home you aren't really here. I have been thinking about work sooo much, she doesn't feel like I am giving a 100% of myself when I am here. I have to admit, that hurt because I do pride myself on puttin my family first and she gave me the wake up that I haven't been able to do that, not this week.
I have requested a day of planning - finally told that it was approved, it will be arranged for next Friday. I picked that date - all my classes will be taking tests, so I won't have to worry about them falling any farther behind than they already are.
This weekend I will plan out in moderation and spend time with my family as much as possible.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Happy Anniversary!
It is hard to believe we have been married 3 months today, but we have. Its been everything we hoped for and more. This means, our lives never really changed after we took our vows, our relationship just became cemented as we preferred it to be. Still newlyweds after 5 plus years together because we were only "allowed" to be married recently.
On the professional front I have finished my first week in the new classes and am tired as ever. I feel as if I am behind an extremely large boulder pushing it uphill. For those of you who don't know better - it can cause a rather painful hernia. I haven't developed a hernia, but I sure the hell have been tired. I have been putting in longer than usual hours. I have a student teacher, but right now with all of my classes being new class I have not handed any of them over to him.
As all of this transition is taking place, I have applied for even more transition to occur in the near future. I have applied for an AP position in my district. I KNOW I can do the job. I want the chance to prove it. It is odd though, thinking about becoming comfortable in my new classroom and with my new students while secretly hoping that I have to pack up in a month.
Is that bad?
Our youngest had a soccer game this morning. It was awesome to watch him play and see how much he has progressed already this season. He is becoming a pretty awesome goalie. He had 3 saves today, and no one scored on him.
Life is good. I have been blessed with man good things - a loving wife, great kids (for the most part), and friends who are wonderful in their own rights. They have become extended family. Thanks for the support everyone! It would have been a quieter life but I couldn't have done most of this with you all.
On the professional front I have finished my first week in the new classes and am tired as ever. I feel as if I am behind an extremely large boulder pushing it uphill. For those of you who don't know better - it can cause a rather painful hernia. I haven't developed a hernia, but I sure the hell have been tired. I have been putting in longer than usual hours. I have a student teacher, but right now with all of my classes being new class I have not handed any of them over to him.
As all of this transition is taking place, I have applied for even more transition to occur in the near future. I have applied for an AP position in my district. I KNOW I can do the job. I want the chance to prove it. It is odd though, thinking about becoming comfortable in my new classroom and with my new students while secretly hoping that I have to pack up in a month.
Is that bad?
Our youngest had a soccer game this morning. It was awesome to watch him play and see how much he has progressed already this season. He is becoming a pretty awesome goalie. He had 3 saves today, and no one scored on him.
Life is good. I have been blessed with man good things - a loving wife, great kids (for the most part), and friends who are wonderful in their own rights. They have become extended family. Thanks for the support everyone! It would have been a quieter life but I couldn't have done most of this with you all.
Monday, October 1, 2007
I have my own room...
After floating around the district for the past month or so I finally have a classroom to call my own. Be careful what you wish for. I should have listened to this saying. I was notified this morning that the changes would happen tomorrow. No prep time. I am inheriting 6 classes of students, approx 150 students.
Now don't get me wrong, I love teaching and am really looking forward to getting back into the swing of something i have some control over, but do you think that just maybe a day to prepare my lesson plas, my syllabus, MYSELF! I have been given not 1, not 2, but 3 different subjects to teach. THREE! Two of which I have never taught before.
I am tired. Didn't get to leave the school until after 7 due to room preparations. I will be there early tomorrow and will, most likely, stay late tomorrow. I imagine the next few days will be filled with early mornings and late afternoons playing catch up.
The only burning question I have is: when do I let the student teacher figure me out?
Now don't get me wrong, I love teaching and am really looking forward to getting back into the swing of something i have some control over, but do you think that just maybe a day to prepare my lesson plas, my syllabus, MYSELF! I have been given not 1, not 2, but 3 different subjects to teach. THREE! Two of which I have never taught before.
I am tired. Didn't get to leave the school until after 7 due to room preparations. I will be there early tomorrow and will, most likely, stay late tomorrow. I imagine the next few days will be filled with early mornings and late afternoons playing catch up.
The only burning question I have is: when do I let the student teacher figure me out?
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