Graduation was today, and it was one of the nicest I've seen in a while. Graduations at my school tend to be a little relaxed. The students and staff still dress up, but some of the families either come dressed up or dressed casually. Depending on the student, the family may or may not make a big deal out graduating from elementary school.
It was really nice to see the kids so excited and happy to graduate. Some of them cried at the end, but that's to be expected. They played their bell chimes one last time, and they celebrated their last Mass together. Some of them were really excited and beaming to receive their diplomas, and others played it cool.
It was a little sad to see them leave and graduate, but it's also exciting for them. It will be interesting to see how these big fish in a very small pond handle being smallish fish in some very large oceans. Some of them are attending small Catholic high schools, but most are going to high schools like Curie and Whitney Young, which are basically small cities.
Naturally, they'll come back in the fall and they'll come visit, proud of who they are and confident that high school will be a snap. Then they'll start to lose touch and they won't want to come visit us so often. Suddenly high school and driving and their friends will take precedence, and elementary school will be an afterthought. It's pretty natural. I don't miss elementary school and I certainly dont' visit (then again, my school is closed and I was so excited to graduate that I could barely sit still during my last week of school).
It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks go. I'm sure I'll get random friend requests on facebook and myspace from some students, but most of them are well on their ways to forgetting me and some other teachers already. :-) I'm certain some will show up for the first day or two of camp "to say hi" and there's always one or two kids who show up in August.
Graduations are always a good time to really see how people feel about their schools and one another, that's for sure. There are the kids who run on out of there and there are the kids who linger and stick around for "just one more photo". If nothing else, it's good to see that those things never change, despite those things that have a tendency to never remain the same.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Their Last Day
The 8th grade graduates tomorrow. They're already sniffling. Today is gonna be a looooooong one.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
No more 8th grade
Wow....that was fast. I just had my last class with the 8th grade. Unfortunately for them, I was correct in assuming that they wouldn't complete their last project. At least half of them didn't turn it in, and the ones that DID turn it in freaked the bleep out because they realized it was the last class and their projects sucked. Too darn bad...not my problem that you're so totally focused on graduation (a month early) that you didn't get your work done when I asked you to. I would have given them today as a free period if they hadn't blown off and used actual classes as free periods. I swear, those kids are putting gray hairs on my little head.
Right at the end of class, my color printer was acting up and freaking out and not printing at all. When it did start printing, one boy and one girl were left in the room. The first papers that came out of the printer didn't belong to the boy, and he was waiting patiently. When the printer jammed, he paused dramatically and said, "Damn!" I SHOULD have given him a demerit, but all I did was giggle and say he's lucky I don't care anymore. It's their last week. I'm sure they could all get 17 demerits and it wouldn't phase them in the slightest.
All in all I'm pretty proud of this class. They're generally good students, even the ones who struggle. There isn't anyone in class who doesn't turn in work. The students who struggle are the ones with learning disabilities and who attent Title 1 classes, and even THEY turn in good, thoughtful work. This class was pretty rare. They all got along and they all were pretty nice to one another. They weren't angels, but they also weren't the kind of kids who make young teachers consider early retirement, either. There are some pretty huge egos in this class, especially because so many of them are strong contenders for the end of the year academic awards. Unfortunately, there are only so many awards to be given out. I finally picked a boy and girl to give my award to, and I'd thought about it for weeks. Last year I had 2 contenders. My first option was to give it to the student with the highest average, but that student was light years ahead of everyone else and was getting a few awards. My next option was the girl who made the biggest leaps and bounds and really grew as a student. Unfortunately, that choice was derailed by their homeroom teacher because she didn't "think she deserved it." Oy. So I gave it to my 3rd choice, who wasn't a bad kid but had performed steadily throughout the year. He didn't make tremendous leaps like the other student, but he was pretty good. This year, I'm really satisfied with my 2 choices, and I think they'll be surprised when they get the awards.
It's pretty crazy how quickly this year is winding down. I can't believe it, but I only teach about 10 more classes before the year ends. Wow.
Right at the end of class, my color printer was acting up and freaking out and not printing at all. When it did start printing, one boy and one girl were left in the room. The first papers that came out of the printer didn't belong to the boy, and he was waiting patiently. When the printer jammed, he paused dramatically and said, "Damn!" I SHOULD have given him a demerit, but all I did was giggle and say he's lucky I don't care anymore. It's their last week. I'm sure they could all get 17 demerits and it wouldn't phase them in the slightest.
All in all I'm pretty proud of this class. They're generally good students, even the ones who struggle. There isn't anyone in class who doesn't turn in work. The students who struggle are the ones with learning disabilities and who attent Title 1 classes, and even THEY turn in good, thoughtful work. This class was pretty rare. They all got along and they all were pretty nice to one another. They weren't angels, but they also weren't the kind of kids who make young teachers consider early retirement, either. There are some pretty huge egos in this class, especially because so many of them are strong contenders for the end of the year academic awards. Unfortunately, there are only so many awards to be given out. I finally picked a boy and girl to give my award to, and I'd thought about it for weeks. Last year I had 2 contenders. My first option was to give it to the student with the highest average, but that student was light years ahead of everyone else and was getting a few awards. My next option was the girl who made the biggest leaps and bounds and really grew as a student. Unfortunately, that choice was derailed by their homeroom teacher because she didn't "think she deserved it." Oy. So I gave it to my 3rd choice, who wasn't a bad kid but had performed steadily throughout the year. He didn't make tremendous leaps like the other student, but he was pretty good. This year, I'm really satisfied with my 2 choices, and I think they'll be surprised when they get the awards.
It's pretty crazy how quickly this year is winding down. I can't believe it, but I only teach about 10 more classes before the year ends. Wow.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Deconstructing
I started taking down posters and tape and sticky tack this afternoon. I always underestimate how much work deconstructing my classroom takes. Oy.
My goal is to have everything down by the end of the week so I can deep clean it like whoa next week.
My goal is to have everything down by the end of the week so I can deep clean it like whoa next week.
Finally!
I have a job for next year! We got our contracts today....hallelujah! I've been a Nervous Nelly for the past 2 months, waiting to hear if my hours would be cut or if I'd even be rehired (numbers are looking sketchy for next year). I just got my contract in my mailbox. AMEN to that news. I'd been having nightmares of looking for a job in the worst economy in 70 years.
Now I can pack up my classroom in peace and know that I don't need to take all this stuff home. It can live in my coatroom for the summer.
Now I can pack up my classroom in peace and know that I don't need to take all this stuff home. It can live in my coatroom for the summer.
And now...
I just had my last Kindergarten class. Weird.
I have:
I have:
- 3 more 3rd grade classes
- 4 more 4th grade classes
- 3 more 5th grade classes
- 3 more 6th grade classes
- 3 more 7th grade classes
- 1 more 8th grade class
- 2 more second grade classes
- 2 more first grade classes
21 classes until freedom. Whoa.
Whoa.
I just had my last class with the Preschool. Weird. They've got one more week of school before they get out on break next Tuesday. I have my last Kindergarten class very soon. WEIRD.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
What have I learned?
It's around this time of year that I start thinking about how I've grown as an educator over the past year. How am I better than I was at this time last year? How can I improve for next year?
1. Bathroom passes are a life saver. They make it so much easier to keep track of kids and keep "problems" from happening in the bathrooms.
2. A teacher webpage is a necessity and is awesome for keeping in touch with parents and making it pretty darn impossible for kids to say they "lost" a handout or worksheet when they have 24/7 access to it on my webpage.
3. There will always be "those kids" and "those parents" who give me "those migraines".
4. Consistency is key.
5. Given my position in the school, there will always be projects that are dumped on me last minute, but keeping myself organized is going to be the best way to keep myself from going crazy.
6. Kids can learn and thrive in the strangest of places.
7. Given enough time and patience, even the kids you thought were clueless or helpless can progress.
8. Having a box to pass back work is the BEST idea I ever had.
9. I'm much stronger than I was a year ago.
10. Professional Development can be a huge pain, but totally worth it and really helps you find the best ways to help your students.
1. Bathroom passes are a life saver. They make it so much easier to keep track of kids and keep "problems" from happening in the bathrooms.
2. A teacher webpage is a necessity and is awesome for keeping in touch with parents and making it pretty darn impossible for kids to say they "lost" a handout or worksheet when they have 24/7 access to it on my webpage.
3. There will always be "those kids" and "those parents" who give me "those migraines".
4. Consistency is key.
5. Given my position in the school, there will always be projects that are dumped on me last minute, but keeping myself organized is going to be the best way to keep myself from going crazy.
6. Kids can learn and thrive in the strangest of places.
7. Given enough time and patience, even the kids you thought were clueless or helpless can progress.
8. Having a box to pass back work is the BEST idea I ever had.
9. I'm much stronger than I was a year ago.
10. Professional Development can be a huge pain, but totally worth it and really helps you find the best ways to help your students.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Subbing
I subbed today. One of our teachers is out with a cold-turned-sinus infection-turned something nasty. He *almost* came in but with enough prodding was convinced to stay home and visit the doctor instead.
I felt for him, man. There is nothing worse than having to come in to work when you feel miserable. My first year as a teacher ran my immune system up and down. My second year (last year) was just as bad because I was getting used to new germs and kids and habits. My body hated me and at one point last winter just shut down and refused to go into work. I had a nasty cold(ish) that just refused to go anywhere. I had tremendous sinus pressure and my nose was completely stuffed and I was absolutely miserable, but the stupid cold just wouldn't drain (TMI). It was a Sunday night and I called my boss almost in tears because my head killed and no matter what sort of OTC drugs I pumped into myself the stupid cold wouldn't go away, or even give me a few munutes of relief. I really felt for the teacher I subbed for. He hates to miss work and he really needed to be convinced to stay home.
I don't *like* missing work, I really don't. It almost ends up being as big a pain as it is to come in sick. I took a mental health day a few months ago because I was just physically exhausted. I felt okay, but mentally and physically I was drained. The winter took a lot out of me, and one morning I just....couldn't. I felt better when I returned on Monday (I took a long weekend), but I was still so behind when I came back. Missing a day or two really throws your groove out of whack. A good sub can help, but sometimes you still feel like there wasn't a sub at all.
Admittedly I'm not the most organized teacher. I have various piles of papers and handouts in a few corners of my room, and heaven help me if I can find a pen or pencil when I need one. That's a problem when I need a sub. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't called in, called for a sub, and was lying sick in bed when the phone rang at 5 minutes before my first class with the sub begging me to tell him/her where I kept my stapler. I help out, I created obsessively detailed sub plans. I do mean obsessive. I've got a seating chart for each class, 3 pages worth of notes for "What ifs" and "Just in cases". I've got extra lesson plans in case I happen to be gone on a day when a project is due or a class is supposed to start a lesson. I've got a draft of an email ready to go so I can send it when I need to. The draft says, "Disregard the plans left for __________ class. Instead, they are to continue working on [fill in the blank] project with (or without) their partner." I've got bathroom passes tucked in there, and an extra lab sign out sheet with a post-it note attached that asks a sub to hang it outside the room and tear down the old sheet if I happen to be absent on a Monday (the day the sheet's supposed to be hung up. I've even got an extra "Word of the Week" to be hung up if I'm absent on Monday. For someone as disorganized as me, that's crazy organized in case of an absence.
Each year at the start of cold and flu season, the experts pop on our morning shows and tell us to "Stay HOME" if we're sick, even if we've got a cold. I'm sorry, but in what universe is a cold an acceptable excuse to stay home? It takes at least a week or two to get over a cold. Who can take 2 weeks off school? Heck, if I did that I'd blow through my sick days for the year! So no, teachers can't just stay home when they're sick (this makes me wonder how stay-at-home-moms do it. You ARE home sick. Can you go to a spa for a week instead?). If a teacher is unfortunate enough to have a bad class, staying home till a cold blows over could mean returning to chaos. I sometimes wonder how teachers in BD classrooms fare. Who subs for them? Is it even worth it to get a sub in that situation? It can be dangerous to come into a classroom where kids act out and become extremely aggressive over small things and resort to physical violence. I defintely count my blessings that BD education wasn't my calling. I'd probably have quit by now if it was. I give those men and women a TON of respect for being able to do what they do.
Sometimes coming in to work when I'm sick is hell on wheels. It takes three times as long to process questions and understand what I'm supposed to be doing. It takes all the remaining strength I've got to stay awake and focused and on. I think having to stay on is the worst part of being sick and at work. When I feel like crap I just want to stay home in bed, drink soup, watch Maury tell some deadbeats they ARE the father, and nap on and off. I can't fault the kids when they come in and loudly announce "GOOD MOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNING!" It's not their fault I'm sick and exhausted. They're just being kids. They don't understand that the louder they are, the crankier I get. They just want to say good morning and tell me that Sophie won't be their friend anymore. They don't *get* it, and that's okay. I actually get angrier with myself for being short with them than I get with them for being normal. Kids are self-absorbed. It's natural. They just don't think outside their little boxes. "Wait...you mean my teacher is a person too? With feelings? Now that's just crazy talk!"
Sometimes a sub can make or break your first day back. I've had good subs and bad subs and those bad subs can make your first day "better" just as bad as your last "bad" day. Subs who for whatever unknown reason don't follow lesson plans, collect homework, or just follow the basic plan of attack for a day basically make that day a wasted day. It makes the homework assigned irrelevant. It makes for an interesting first day back.
Ultimately, whenever I sub, I try to be the sub I would want. I take details notes on each class and follow the instructions to the letter. I write down what I did and if I gave points or demerits to kids. It might be a little obsessive, but I know that those are the kinds of notes I would appreciate if I were out sick. It's incredibly helpful to come back and know without a doubt what happened while you were gone. It's a huge PITA to come back and not know what happened and have to hear from your students what went down. It's a terrible inconvienience. A sub who doesn't do a decent job can be blackballed, and speaking from my side of that fence it's nothing personal but think about it....would you want someone sub par to fill in for you and ultimately leave more work for you to come back to? Would you want to deal with all that stuff when you come back? No one does! It's funny....teachers are some of the only people who can't take off without a backup plan and someone to cover their shifts.
Hopefully, I won't need a sub for the remaining days in the school year. There's a possibility for one, but hopefully it'll work itself out.
I can't believe I have just a few more days of work left. Crazy.
I felt for him, man. There is nothing worse than having to come in to work when you feel miserable. My first year as a teacher ran my immune system up and down. My second year (last year) was just as bad because I was getting used to new germs and kids and habits. My body hated me and at one point last winter just shut down and refused to go into work. I had a nasty cold(ish) that just refused to go anywhere. I had tremendous sinus pressure and my nose was completely stuffed and I was absolutely miserable, but the stupid cold just wouldn't drain (TMI). It was a Sunday night and I called my boss almost in tears because my head killed and no matter what sort of OTC drugs I pumped into myself the stupid cold wouldn't go away, or even give me a few munutes of relief. I really felt for the teacher I subbed for. He hates to miss work and he really needed to be convinced to stay home.
I don't *like* missing work, I really don't. It almost ends up being as big a pain as it is to come in sick. I took a mental health day a few months ago because I was just physically exhausted. I felt okay, but mentally and physically I was drained. The winter took a lot out of me, and one morning I just....couldn't. I felt better when I returned on Monday (I took a long weekend), but I was still so behind when I came back. Missing a day or two really throws your groove out of whack. A good sub can help, but sometimes you still feel like there wasn't a sub at all.
Admittedly I'm not the most organized teacher. I have various piles of papers and handouts in a few corners of my room, and heaven help me if I can find a pen or pencil when I need one. That's a problem when I need a sub. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't called in, called for a sub, and was lying sick in bed when the phone rang at 5 minutes before my first class with the sub begging me to tell him/her where I kept my stapler. I help out, I created obsessively detailed sub plans. I do mean obsessive. I've got a seating chart for each class, 3 pages worth of notes for "What ifs" and "Just in cases". I've got extra lesson plans in case I happen to be gone on a day when a project is due or a class is supposed to start a lesson. I've got a draft of an email ready to go so I can send it when I need to. The draft says, "Disregard the plans left for __________ class. Instead, they are to continue working on [fill in the blank] project with (or without) their partner." I've got bathroom passes tucked in there, and an extra lab sign out sheet with a post-it note attached that asks a sub to hang it outside the room and tear down the old sheet if I happen to be absent on a Monday (the day the sheet's supposed to be hung up. I've even got an extra "Word of the Week" to be hung up if I'm absent on Monday. For someone as disorganized as me, that's crazy organized in case of an absence.
Each year at the start of cold and flu season, the experts pop on our morning shows and tell us to "Stay HOME" if we're sick, even if we've got a cold. I'm sorry, but in what universe is a cold an acceptable excuse to stay home? It takes at least a week or two to get over a cold. Who can take 2 weeks off school? Heck, if I did that I'd blow through my sick days for the year! So no, teachers can't just stay home when they're sick (this makes me wonder how stay-at-home-moms do it. You ARE home sick. Can you go to a spa for a week instead?). If a teacher is unfortunate enough to have a bad class, staying home till a cold blows over could mean returning to chaos. I sometimes wonder how teachers in BD classrooms fare. Who subs for them? Is it even worth it to get a sub in that situation? It can be dangerous to come into a classroom where kids act out and become extremely aggressive over small things and resort to physical violence. I defintely count my blessings that BD education wasn't my calling. I'd probably have quit by now if it was. I give those men and women a TON of respect for being able to do what they do.
Sometimes coming in to work when I'm sick is hell on wheels. It takes three times as long to process questions and understand what I'm supposed to be doing. It takes all the remaining strength I've got to stay awake and focused and on. I think having to stay on is the worst part of being sick and at work. When I feel like crap I just want to stay home in bed, drink soup, watch Maury tell some deadbeats they ARE the father, and nap on and off. I can't fault the kids when they come in and loudly announce "GOOD MOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNING!" It's not their fault I'm sick and exhausted. They're just being kids. They don't understand that the louder they are, the crankier I get. They just want to say good morning and tell me that Sophie won't be their friend anymore. They don't *get* it, and that's okay. I actually get angrier with myself for being short with them than I get with them for being normal. Kids are self-absorbed. It's natural. They just don't think outside their little boxes. "Wait...you mean my teacher is a person too? With feelings? Now that's just crazy talk!"
Sometimes a sub can make or break your first day back. I've had good subs and bad subs and those bad subs can make your first day "better" just as bad as your last "bad" day. Subs who for whatever unknown reason don't follow lesson plans, collect homework, or just follow the basic plan of attack for a day basically make that day a wasted day. It makes the homework assigned irrelevant. It makes for an interesting first day back.
Ultimately, whenever I sub, I try to be the sub I would want. I take details notes on each class and follow the instructions to the letter. I write down what I did and if I gave points or demerits to kids. It might be a little obsessive, but I know that those are the kinds of notes I would appreciate if I were out sick. It's incredibly helpful to come back and know without a doubt what happened while you were gone. It's a huge PITA to come back and not know what happened and have to hear from your students what went down. It's a terrible inconvienience. A sub who doesn't do a decent job can be blackballed, and speaking from my side of that fence it's nothing personal but think about it....would you want someone sub par to fill in for you and ultimately leave more work for you to come back to? Would you want to deal with all that stuff when you come back? No one does! It's funny....teachers are some of the only people who can't take off without a backup plan and someone to cover their shifts.
Hopefully, I won't need a sub for the remaining days in the school year. There's a possibility for one, but hopefully it'll work itself out.
I can't believe I have just a few more days of work left. Crazy.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid!!!!!!!
I'm a complete moron. Allow me to explain before you so readily agree with me.
Last week, I got 2 phone messages in my box on the same day. I returned the calls and was then yelled at for about 30 minutes by an angry parent. Not awesome. Last week Thursday was May 7th. This "conversation" I was supposed to have was about p/t conferences which were A MONTH AGO. I'm sorry, but if you're THAT concerned about your child's grade, why on earth would you wait an entire. freaking. month. to ask me about it?
So she calls, I call back, and she basically yells at me for not returning her phone calls earlier. Apparently she called 3 or 4 times and thought I was ignoring her. I only got 2 messages, so I apologized for the miscommunication, but I did indeed return her calls as soon as I could.
Basically she was mad and demanded to know why she didn't know about her daughter's low grade. She didn't like my explanation, either, and then demanded to know why I didn't tell her. I didn't specifically tell "her" but I did send a note home which was signed by the girl's father. This would be an understandable miscommunication, but the child's parents are married so it's not my fault if her parents aren't communicating. I did my job. I sent home a note that your daughter chose to not share with you. I had to dig through my files to find the signed and returned copy, but I read it to her and said it was signed by her husband. As much as I understand that families have problems and maybe they're even going through a bad patch, I take zero responsibility for her non-communication with her child and/or her husband.
THEN (my favorite part) she pauses and demands--demands!--an explanation as to WHY I don't accept her daughter's extra credit! I'm an evil, satanic woman, I tell ya. I love to make "A+ students" suffer. I told her that each class when her daughter comes in I tell the class that they can take an extra credit worksheet if they need it. Her daughter is too busy chit chatting and socializing to be bothered to take one. She's sitting at her computer, and I explain the extra credit to her and even tell her where on my webpage she can print out the extra credit worksheet. She does, and asks when it's due. I tell her that her daughter needs to turn it in by the end of the day Friday. What does she say to me? "Okay. I'll print it out for her and tell her to finish it when she comes home on Sunday from Girl Scout camp." Um...didn't I just say it was due Friday? Ugh. Whatever. I figure I'll make an exception one time and explain--again--to this child when the extra credit is due.
Fast forward to Monday: I don't see the child and she doesn't turn in the extra credit. Okay, fine. Now it's officially late because this parent SWORE it'd be in on Monday. On Tuesday, the day this child comes to class, she proudly presents the extra credit like she didn't have to be told to do it by her mother. I was in the middle of trying to explain the lesson to the class and had to tell this cihld 14 times to sit down. Okay, 14 is an exaggeration. At least 3, though. Three times I said, "Please sit down, I'll talk to you about it in a minute." Ugh. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate when I have to repeat myself, not because the child doesn't understand, but because they just choose not to listen. This isn't a Title 1 or special ed, she's a relativly bright child and doesn't always like being told to "wait". This isn't the first time I've had this issue. Blarg.
So the kid finally sits down, I get through the anticipatory set and the model, pass out the handouts, and I find said child. I take her extra credit, explain when it is due, tell her when to turn it in, and tell her that today is an exception because she and her mom were confused about when the assignment is due. I ask her if she understands and she says yes. Good, no problems.
That was Tuesday. Today is Thursday. I was busy all morning updating the website and grading and taking care of things around the building. Just after lunch I checked my cell phone and saw that I had a missed call and a voicemail. I check my voicemail: it's the mother. Again. Telling me (a.k.a. sternly and almost yelling) that I didn't clearly explain myself on the phone last week and now both she and her daughter are confused about the extra credit and when it is due. I tell her that I DID indeed explain to her daughter when it is due, just like I do at the start OF EVERY CLASS. I'm sorry, but my patience is running thin. It's MAY. I announced extra credit in August and September!! Hey-Zeus! The fact that your child is confused is not. my. freaking. fault. At least not now. She's chosen to NOT do extra credit. She's chosen to TALK THROUGH CLASS. And NOW you want her grade to be magically fixed? Blah!
So I hang up with mom, and right away go down to this girl's homeroom to once again--again--explain when the extra credit is due. I said it 4 times, and asked 4 times if she was confused or didn't understand. "Yes, I understand." I stopped short of saying, "Okay, if you don't understand I don't want to get another phone call..." I really, really wanted to, but I know if I DID I'd get another stupid phone call.
Then it hit me. The mom called me on my cell phone. How the heck did she get my number? Then I remember: last week, I called on my cell phone because the office lines were all in use. CRAP. NOW this parent has my number stored in her cell phone or in her records.
Son of a gun. Stupid stupid stupid stupid!!!!!!!! Note to potential teachers: don't purposely or inadvertently give out your personal emails or phone numbers, because anytime there's an issue with "one of those" people, you're going to be bothered on or off the clock. That's not awesome.
Last week, I got 2 phone messages in my box on the same day. I returned the calls and was then yelled at for about 30 minutes by an angry parent. Not awesome. Last week Thursday was May 7th. This "conversation" I was supposed to have was about p/t conferences which were A MONTH AGO. I'm sorry, but if you're THAT concerned about your child's grade, why on earth would you wait an entire. freaking. month. to ask me about it?
So she calls, I call back, and she basically yells at me for not returning her phone calls earlier. Apparently she called 3 or 4 times and thought I was ignoring her. I only got 2 messages, so I apologized for the miscommunication, but I did indeed return her calls as soon as I could.
Basically she was mad and demanded to know why she didn't know about her daughter's low grade. She didn't like my explanation, either, and then demanded to know why I didn't tell her. I didn't specifically tell "her" but I did send a note home which was signed by the girl's father. This would be an understandable miscommunication, but the child's parents are married so it's not my fault if her parents aren't communicating. I did my job. I sent home a note that your daughter chose to not share with you. I had to dig through my files to find the signed and returned copy, but I read it to her and said it was signed by her husband. As much as I understand that families have problems and maybe they're even going through a bad patch, I take zero responsibility for her non-communication with her child and/or her husband.
THEN (my favorite part) she pauses and demands--demands!--an explanation as to WHY I don't accept her daughter's extra credit! I'm an evil, satanic woman, I tell ya. I love to make "A+ students" suffer. I told her that each class when her daughter comes in I tell the class that they can take an extra credit worksheet if they need it. Her daughter is too busy chit chatting and socializing to be bothered to take one. She's sitting at her computer, and I explain the extra credit to her and even tell her where on my webpage she can print out the extra credit worksheet. She does, and asks when it's due. I tell her that her daughter needs to turn it in by the end of the day Friday. What does she say to me? "Okay. I'll print it out for her and tell her to finish it when she comes home on Sunday from Girl Scout camp." Um...didn't I just say it was due Friday? Ugh. Whatever. I figure I'll make an exception one time and explain--again--to this child when the extra credit is due.
Fast forward to Monday: I don't see the child and she doesn't turn in the extra credit. Okay, fine. Now it's officially late because this parent SWORE it'd be in on Monday. On Tuesday, the day this child comes to class, she proudly presents the extra credit like she didn't have to be told to do it by her mother. I was in the middle of trying to explain the lesson to the class and had to tell this cihld 14 times to sit down. Okay, 14 is an exaggeration. At least 3, though. Three times I said, "Please sit down, I'll talk to you about it in a minute." Ugh. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate when I have to repeat myself, not because the child doesn't understand, but because they just choose not to listen. This isn't a Title 1 or special ed, she's a relativly bright child and doesn't always like being told to "wait". This isn't the first time I've had this issue. Blarg.
So the kid finally sits down, I get through the anticipatory set and the model, pass out the handouts, and I find said child. I take her extra credit, explain when it is due, tell her when to turn it in, and tell her that today is an exception because she and her mom were confused about when the assignment is due. I ask her if she understands and she says yes. Good, no problems.
That was Tuesday. Today is Thursday. I was busy all morning updating the website and grading and taking care of things around the building. Just after lunch I checked my cell phone and saw that I had a missed call and a voicemail. I check my voicemail: it's the mother. Again. Telling me (a.k.a. sternly and almost yelling) that I didn't clearly explain myself on the phone last week and now both she and her daughter are confused about the extra credit and when it is due. I tell her that I DID indeed explain to her daughter when it is due, just like I do at the start OF EVERY CLASS. I'm sorry, but my patience is running thin. It's MAY. I announced extra credit in August and September!! Hey-Zeus! The fact that your child is confused is not. my. freaking. fault. At least not now. She's chosen to NOT do extra credit. She's chosen to TALK THROUGH CLASS. And NOW you want her grade to be magically fixed? Blah!
So I hang up with mom, and right away go down to this girl's homeroom to once again--again--explain when the extra credit is due. I said it 4 times, and asked 4 times if she was confused or didn't understand. "Yes, I understand." I stopped short of saying, "Okay, if you don't understand I don't want to get another phone call..." I really, really wanted to, but I know if I DID I'd get another stupid phone call.
Then it hit me. The mom called me on my cell phone. How the heck did she get my number? Then I remember: last week, I called on my cell phone because the office lines were all in use. CRAP. NOW this parent has my number stored in her cell phone or in her records.
%*$%@)!@(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Son of a gun. Stupid stupid stupid stupid!!!!!!!! Note to potential teachers: don't purposely or inadvertently give out your personal emails or phone numbers, because anytime there's an issue with "one of those" people, you're going to be bothered on or off the clock. That's not awesome.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Why does it smell....why does it smell in here? Like cheese I don't like."
--Stephanie, entering my room about 5 minutes after the hormonal, non-teen-spirit-wearing 8th graders have left.
So THAT'S what teen spirit smells like eh? Makes you wonder exactly what Mr. Cobain was thinking...
--Stephanie, entering my room about 5 minutes after the hormonal, non-teen-spirit-wearing 8th graders have left.
So THAT'S what teen spirit smells like eh? Makes you wonder exactly what Mr. Cobain was thinking...
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's the final countdown!
Officially less than 4 weeks to go! Hurrah!
This week I'm only teaching Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is our annual Walk-A-Thon, and Thursdays I don't teach, so it's a brief week that's jammed full for me.
I've only got a few classes left with the 8th grade. I only see them 2 days a week as it is, and this Wednesday's out, next Wednesday is their Ribbon Day so they'll be celebrating all week, and the next Monday is Memorial Day so classes aren't in session. Isn't that nuts? Three classes left.
I passed out their progress reports today and a number of them have Cs and Ds. They've been lazy this quarter and there's enough missing work to make sure I don't have a free weekend between now and graduation. Isn't that nice of them? Oh well. I warned them and now they have 3 classes to turn in what they're missing. It sucks but in their minds they've been on summer vacation since....January? They've got it bad, and that ain't good!
On one hand, I'm looking forward to an extra 45 minutes in my day (for 3 days). On the other hand, it'll be sad to see another class leave and move on. Each class thinks they're special, and they are in some way, but they're also very much like other 8th grades that came before them. They've got so many more opportunities available to them and they won't have to start working right after receiving their diploma as so many of their predecessors did. They have the chance to attend some of the best high schools in the city and graduate and become something. Isn't that crazy? Think about all the possibility that laid before you at 14. Are you were you wanted to be when you were 14?
There's not much time left to plan the rest of the year and get ready for summer camp. I can't believe how quickly this year went by. I'm thankful for it, but I'm a little annoyed that I didn't get as much accomplished as I wanted to. Oh well. Hopefully I'll be brought back for a third year and I can finish some of what I wanted to start.
This week I'm only teaching Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is our annual Walk-A-Thon, and Thursdays I don't teach, so it's a brief week that's jammed full for me.
I've only got a few classes left with the 8th grade. I only see them 2 days a week as it is, and this Wednesday's out, next Wednesday is their Ribbon Day so they'll be celebrating all week, and the next Monday is Memorial Day so classes aren't in session. Isn't that nuts? Three classes left.
I passed out their progress reports today and a number of them have Cs and Ds. They've been lazy this quarter and there's enough missing work to make sure I don't have a free weekend between now and graduation. Isn't that nice of them? Oh well. I warned them and now they have 3 classes to turn in what they're missing. It sucks but in their minds they've been on summer vacation since....January? They've got it bad, and that ain't good!
On one hand, I'm looking forward to an extra 45 minutes in my day (for 3 days). On the other hand, it'll be sad to see another class leave and move on. Each class thinks they're special, and they are in some way, but they're also very much like other 8th grades that came before them. They've got so many more opportunities available to them and they won't have to start working right after receiving their diploma as so many of their predecessors did. They have the chance to attend some of the best high schools in the city and graduate and become something. Isn't that crazy? Think about all the possibility that laid before you at 14. Are you were you wanted to be when you were 14?
There's not much time left to plan the rest of the year and get ready for summer camp. I can't believe how quickly this year went by. I'm thankful for it, but I'm a little annoyed that I didn't get as much accomplished as I wanted to. Oh well. Hopefully I'll be brought back for a third year and I can finish some of what I wanted to start.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Today is a hard day to teach
It's gorgeous outside, and just want to join the little kids on the playground.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Sometimes, I wonder...
It's not THAT hard to schedule events around here. I can't speak for every school, and I've definitely worked at both ends of the spectrum. My first school made scheduling EVERYTHING a nightmare. They had a strict "one event per day" policy that included sports games and practices. This was "so the girls wouldn't be so over-extended" but it also meant that there weren't any school dances because the gym was booked or the field hockey girls would be tired or the soccer girls couldn't make it.....etc. Scheduling had to be done years in advance, pretty much. Ridiculous.
Here, it's much more relaxed. We have "scheduled events" in that we know we always have some sort of small celebration for Cinco de Mayo, Christmas, small events for Catholic Schools Week...etc. They're just planned a few days in advance, or a few weeks if it's a major event. No big deal. However, today is Cinco de Mayo, and every year (since the neighborhood "changed") the kids are released from school on the parking lot and each kid gets a paleta as a special treat. It's a fun afternoon and it's a good time (and I get a free paleta). The schedule conflicts that arose from this, though, are headache inducing.
First we were supposed to meet in the parking lot at 1:45 for paletas, but then return inside to gather up our things and go. Then people complained that it would be a nightmare trying to get kids back in the building and ready, so it was suggested that it be moved back a little. Oh, it was moved alright! To 2:30. Dismissal is at 2:40. Sure enough, that was worse than being on the parking lot with 225 kids for an hour. Parents were already lined up and waiting, and the parking lot is madness to begin with. Some kids got their paletas and left early, but others were milling around and waiting to leave. It was pretty chaotic and not fun, and two parents (notoriously bad drivers to begin with) got into a car accident as they were leaving. Nice.
Next year, let's aim for 2:15.
Here, it's much more relaxed. We have "scheduled events" in that we know we always have some sort of small celebration for Cinco de Mayo, Christmas, small events for Catholic Schools Week...etc. They're just planned a few days in advance, or a few weeks if it's a major event. No big deal. However, today is Cinco de Mayo, and every year (since the neighborhood "changed") the kids are released from school on the parking lot and each kid gets a paleta as a special treat. It's a fun afternoon and it's a good time (and I get a free paleta). The schedule conflicts that arose from this, though, are headache inducing.
First we were supposed to meet in the parking lot at 1:45 for paletas, but then return inside to gather up our things and go. Then people complained that it would be a nightmare trying to get kids back in the building and ready, so it was suggested that it be moved back a little. Oh, it was moved alright! To 2:30. Dismissal is at 2:40. Sure enough, that was worse than being on the parking lot with 225 kids for an hour. Parents were already lined up and waiting, and the parking lot is madness to begin with. Some kids got their paletas and left early, but others were milling around and waiting to leave. It was pretty chaotic and not fun, and two parents (notoriously bad drivers to begin with) got into a car accident as they were leaving. Nice.
Next year, let's aim for 2:15.
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