So today was the first day of school. woo, yay, etc.
I hate the first day of school with all the talking and the kids just staring at you. There really isn't much to say about it. But today I made a friend. All because I am badass.
His name is Walter. He is 8th grade and I don't teach him. But I saw him in the hallway. He was saying to his friends/self/imaginary friend, "Fuck that, man." I said,"Excuse me, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't curse around me."
Walter: Whatever, yo.
Me: I'm not a 'yo.'
Walter: Man, get out my fuckin face.
Me: I'm not a man either.
Walter: Alright, Alright. Can you leave me alone?
Me: If you can say that you won't curse around me anymore.
Walter: Alright, alright,whatever.
Me: Okay. I'm Ms. Vinson, what's your name?
Walter: Walter.
Me: Hi, Walter. What school did you come from?
Walter: Well, I was at (random school) but then I got moved to [the alternative school] in the middle of last year.
Me: Oh, [the alternative school]? Then you must know alante (last name)?
Walter: Oh yeah. We're tight.
(I guess at this point, Walter thought I would be impressed or scared that he knows alante--a kid who got thrown out of our school last year. But, more importantly, is one of my top 5 favorite kids ever.)
Me: Well, you know he's my son, right?
Walter:(incredulous) seriously?
Me: Yeah, I love that kid. Ask him. He calls me Ma.
Walter: for real?
Me: Yeah, well, I'll see you later Walter.
Walter: Okay, bye Ms. Vinson, have a nice day.
I saw him three more times and every time he waved and said, "Hey Ms. Vinson!"
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wow.
So, we have a system-wide email system that I've never checked. I finally figured out how to do it, and I checked it today. I found this:
Subject: Saying Goodbye
Heather,
It is always hard to say good bye to a family member. We fought, we argued, we talked about each other but yet we still cared about each other. You are talented person as well as a talented teacher. You care and love children going that extra mile to support them emotionally, financially and educationally. We just need more people like you. I will truly miss you and our Family. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely
((((Principal))))
Subject: Saying Goodbye
Heather,
It is always hard to say good bye to a family member. We fought, we argued, we talked about each other but yet we still cared about each other. You are talented person as well as a talented teacher. You care and love children going that extra mile to support them emotionally, financially and educationally. We just need more people like you. I will truly miss you and our Family. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely
((((Principal))))
Monday, August 24, 2009
What The Hell Is Going On?!
We had our first school-wide faculty meeting today. The first official teacher day back. It was informative and just the right amount of inspirational talk combined with get your ass in gear talk--and it ended ahead of schedule!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Maybe We'll Play Uno Instead of Talk About Teacher Stuff
So, I'm Zen about the whole 4 preps thing now. I'll be fine. But the best blogging comes in a haze of fury, so there you go.
However, how funny/stupid/obviously characteristic of my school is this:
Our school is set up in "teams." Teams of teacher meet once, twice a week or sometimes daily to discuss students, issues, general teacher blahblah. I teach all the IB students, so I have been on the IB team for the past 2 years. I am now teaching every single 7th grade class, so I figured I would also be on the 7th grade team. Nope, my homeroom is 6-01 and even though they are an IB class, I will be assigned to the 6th grade team. I have to go to twice weekly meetings with teachers on a totally separate floor who teach none of the same students as me.
I hope we're cute because we sure aren't smart.
However, how funny/stupid/obviously characteristic of my school is this:
Our school is set up in "teams." Teams of teacher meet once, twice a week or sometimes daily to discuss students, issues, general teacher blahblah. I teach all the IB students, so I have been on the IB team for the past 2 years. I am now teaching every single 7th grade class, so I figured I would also be on the 7th grade team. Nope, my homeroom is 6-01 and even though they are an IB class, I will be assigned to the 6th grade team. I have to go to twice weekly meetings with teachers on a totally separate floor who teach none of the same students as me.
I hope we're cute because we sure aren't smart.
What I Don't Get About Teaching
My whole problem with the teaching profession is the fact that no one can decide if we are complete morons incapable of making the simplest of decisions or super geniuses who can change the world with a few well-placed motivational phrases and snazzy school supplies.
You have the You're An Idiot Side. To these guys, my 6 years of college and two degrees mean nothing to them. Someone else always knows better. Someone else needs to tell me which textbook to use, which topics to study and in what order to study them. Someone else knows what is best for my students, even though they may not actually know who they are. They have to tell me what needs to be hung up on my wall and how to group my students. These people reserve the right to change any and all of these instructions at any given time and not necessarily with an explanation. They want me to take all this in with no questions or concerns because I am, after all, an idiot.
Then there's the You're A Super Genius Side. They think the future is in my hands. I can take 200 students, in groups of 35-40, and in one hour a day for 3 months, make them move up 3 grade levels in reading comprehension. I can single-handedly erase years of emotional abuse and neglect, of inadequate nutrition and sub-par education all with a smile and a can-do attitude. I must be the most amazing person in the world.
The thing is, I can deal with either side. Fine, I'm a moron. Give me my stuff and leave me be. Fine, I'm a genius. Give me my stuff and leave me be. I can't deal with BOTH sides at the same time, all the time. It makes me feel mentally unstable.
You have the You're An Idiot Side. To these guys, my 6 years of college and two degrees mean nothing to them. Someone else always knows better. Someone else needs to tell me which textbook to use, which topics to study and in what order to study them. Someone else knows what is best for my students, even though they may not actually know who they are. They have to tell me what needs to be hung up on my wall and how to group my students. These people reserve the right to change any and all of these instructions at any given time and not necessarily with an explanation. They want me to take all this in with no questions or concerns because I am, after all, an idiot.
Then there's the You're A Super Genius Side. They think the future is in my hands. I can take 200 students, in groups of 35-40, and in one hour a day for 3 months, make them move up 3 grade levels in reading comprehension. I can single-handedly erase years of emotional abuse and neglect, of inadequate nutrition and sub-par education all with a smile and a can-do attitude. I must be the most amazing person in the world.
The thing is, I can deal with either side. Fine, I'm a moron. Give me my stuff and leave me be. Fine, I'm a genius. Give me my stuff and leave me be. I can't deal with BOTH sides at the same time, all the time. It makes me feel mentally unstable.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
It Always Happens, And Yet I'm Always Surprised.
I went up to the school today. Principal is fired and I still work there. I never believe anything in this city until I see it with my own eyes.
Anyway, last year I was assigned to teach IB 6th,7th, and 8th grade. If you're not a teacher, let me just tell you---that's a lot. a lot of planning. they made this big presentation to us about it because it's actually against union contract. Hey, IB teachers, they said, we know it's too much work, but we'll give you good kids and a sweet schedule, you can handle it right?! right! yaaay three preps. So we begrudgingly said yes. The four of us had three preps and while I at no point wanted to kill myself or others, it wasn't exactly ideal.
Well, they told me that we are doing the same thing this year. Okay, again, not ideal, but I can deal with it. BUT WAIT! I went on the online grading system to see my classes, and lookie loo, I not only have my three grades of IB classes, I also teach 3 classes of regular ed 7th grade. FOUR preps! FOUR. They didn't even tell me to my face. Like, it's just going to slip under my radar or something? Last year there was the big ta-da about the 3 preps because they knew it would be an issue. Oh, but that's because other teachers were involved. Now, it's just me. getting screwed. Again. Maybe they know about the blog? They want to make sure I have something to talk about?
I have several issues with this whole business.
1. the not telling me part. Man up already!
2. the part where nobody else is doing it. if we all had a little come to Jesus meeting where they told the staff that everybody was going to have to step it up a little bit because we were shorthanded-well, okay then. Nope. Just Vinson.
3. the part about sucky people getting to do less work. sucky people should be fired, not given a lighter workload because they are sucky.
4. the taking advantage of me because I love my kids part. They KNOW I'll end up doing it, because otherwise kids get screwed over. and that is complete bullshit.
Anyway, last year I was assigned to teach IB 6th,7th, and 8th grade. If you're not a teacher, let me just tell you---that's a lot. a lot of planning. they made this big presentation to us about it because it's actually against union contract. Hey, IB teachers, they said, we know it's too much work, but we'll give you good kids and a sweet schedule, you can handle it right?! right! yaaay three preps. So we begrudgingly said yes. The four of us had three preps and while I at no point wanted to kill myself or others, it wasn't exactly ideal.
Well, they told me that we are doing the same thing this year. Okay, again, not ideal, but I can deal with it. BUT WAIT! I went on the online grading system to see my classes, and lookie loo, I not only have my three grades of IB classes, I also teach 3 classes of regular ed 7th grade. FOUR preps! FOUR. They didn't even tell me to my face. Like, it's just going to slip under my radar or something? Last year there was the big ta-da about the 3 preps because they knew it would be an issue. Oh, but that's because other teachers were involved. Now, it's just me. getting screwed. Again. Maybe they know about the blog? They want to make sure I have something to talk about?
I have several issues with this whole business.
1. the not telling me part. Man up already!
2. the part where nobody else is doing it. if we all had a little come to Jesus meeting where they told the staff that everybody was going to have to step it up a little bit because we were shorthanded-well, okay then. Nope. Just Vinson.
3. the part about sucky people getting to do less work. sucky people should be fired, not given a lighter workload because they are sucky.
4. the taking advantage of me because I love my kids part. They KNOW I'll end up doing it, because otherwise kids get screwed over. and that is complete bullshit.
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