Today we were watching "Elf" before school started. One of the boys in my room said to me,
"Don't you think there's really a Santa Claus up there? Like, he doesn't go around to houses or nothing. He's like, retired or something. Chillin'. Don't you think so?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Clearly It Was Take Your Camera To Work Day
This is a picture of steam and incredibly hot water flowing out of the school building. I couldn't get a picture of it, but every few minutes it geysers out like Olde Faithful. I'm assuming it comes from the hot water heater but I really have no clue. The best part is that, not only is the super hot water a hazard, but the water on the ground is now starting to freeze.
So, if the scalding hot water doesn't hurt you, that painful fall on the ice sure will!
I Say To-may-to, You Say To-mah-to
While the 6th graders were working on timelines, I made some flowers out of construction paper. A few hours later, while I was teaching th 7th graders, I couldn't find my flowers anywhere. I asked one of the groups.
Me: Have you seen my flowers?
Darien: Uh. Oh! Do you mean my ninja stars?
Rasheed: Yeah, the ninja stars are over there on the counter.
Me: Have you seen my flowers?
Darien: Uh. Oh! Do you mean my ninja stars?
Rasheed: Yeah, the ninja stars are over there on the counter.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Brush Off the Haters
Alright so, I didn't post this a while ago because it wasn't a big deal. But now another similar not big deal has happened and the two situations together create a blogworthy deal.
Here they are:
We go to IB trainings. Sort of. We did anyway. I haven't been to one in about a year. The IB people are coming in February to make sure we're doing what we're supposed to. Nobody has said anything IBish to me all year. Three days of training almost a year ago does not make me an expert at this. Especially since I hate it.
The thing about these trainings is that you have to pay for everything (hotel, airfare, food) up front and then get reimbursed after you get back. Yeah, that doesn't work for everybody. So about a month ago, the art teacher had been signed up for a conference and he couldn't afford to go. The 6th grade administrator/IB director came into our team meeting and asked if any of us could go in his place. I said I could (because I could just put it all on my credit card.) She said okay and then immediately walked down the hall and asked someone else, not 15 seconds after she talked to me. But it was weird because she never told me that she asked that other person, I ended up hearing it from him.
So, a week goes by. It's Monday, and he is supposed to leave for the trip on Friday. He goes back to her and says, sorry, no, he actually can't go on the trip. He can't afford it. So here she comes in my room. Hey, do you want to go on the trip? Ummmmmmmmm.
I told her I could still go but the last minute plane ticket would probably be really expensive.
Well! Forget it then!
Oooookay. It was weird, but whatever. Since I've been blacklisted this year (rebellious? defiant? check! check!) I figured all the administrators are scared to be nice to me because principal might eat them. It's cool.
So, that brings us to today. The guidance counselor comes in my room and asks me for my curriculum. I give it to her and she says, "I need to look over it before I go to the training." I ask what training. "You know, the IB training. Since I'm going in your place."
I got replaced for training I didn't even know existed? So weird.
I have a theory on this though. Even though I requested the time off to see my brother like a month in advance, had plenty of work, good students and I'm allotted 15 days off a year, principal likes to punish people for being out of work. If you miss one day, she tries to make you sub a class during your planning period. If you miss two days, she shows up in your room and yells at random people, etc.
I guess this is punishment for my 6 days. It's funny. She's punishing me by not allowing me to waste an entire weekend talking about social studies? She's punishing me by not letting me learn things that (supposedly) make me a better teacher? Strategery at its best.
.
Here they are:
We go to IB trainings. Sort of. We did anyway. I haven't been to one in about a year. The IB people are coming in February to make sure we're doing what we're supposed to. Nobody has said anything IBish to me all year. Three days of training almost a year ago does not make me an expert at this. Especially since I hate it.
The thing about these trainings is that you have to pay for everything (hotel, airfare, food) up front and then get reimbursed after you get back. Yeah, that doesn't work for everybody. So about a month ago, the art teacher had been signed up for a conference and he couldn't afford to go. The 6th grade administrator/IB director came into our team meeting and asked if any of us could go in his place. I said I could (because I could just put it all on my credit card.) She said okay and then immediately walked down the hall and asked someone else, not 15 seconds after she talked to me. But it was weird because she never told me that she asked that other person, I ended up hearing it from him.
So, a week goes by. It's Monday, and he is supposed to leave for the trip on Friday. He goes back to her and says, sorry, no, he actually can't go on the trip. He can't afford it. So here she comes in my room. Hey, do you want to go on the trip? Ummmmmmmmm.
I told her I could still go but the last minute plane ticket would probably be really expensive.
Well! Forget it then!
Oooookay. It was weird, but whatever. Since I've been blacklisted this year (rebellious? defiant? check! check!) I figured all the administrators are scared to be nice to me because principal might eat them. It's cool.
So, that brings us to today. The guidance counselor comes in my room and asks me for my curriculum. I give it to her and she says, "I need to look over it before I go to the training." I ask what training. "You know, the IB training. Since I'm going in your place."
I got replaced for training I didn't even know existed? So weird.
I have a theory on this though. Even though I requested the time off to see my brother like a month in advance, had plenty of work, good students and I'm allotted 15 days off a year, principal likes to punish people for being out of work. If you miss one day, she tries to make you sub a class during your planning period. If you miss two days, she shows up in your room and yells at random people, etc.
I guess this is punishment for my 6 days. It's funny. She's punishing me by not allowing me to waste an entire weekend talking about social studies? She's punishing me by not letting me learn things that (supposedly) make me a better teacher? Strategery at its best.
.
I'm Baaaack
So, I was out for 6 days. My brother came home from Iraq! yaaaay.
The kids and I had a nice little reunion and my room wasn't dirty so I didn't have to kill anyone.
carlton: did you tell your brother i said hi?
me: no, why?
carlton: in case he has to save my life one day! tell him my whole name, carlton warker. carlton warker says hi. so one day, if he ever has to save me, i can go, 'oh hey, i'm carlton warker!' and he'll go, 'oh, carlton warker, my sister taught you and you're a cool dude and you told me hi, so i'm gonna go ahead and save you. so don't forget to tell him."
me: well, alright then.
***********************************************************************
Principal said over the intercom: "Teachers, don't let kids out of your room. They are children because we are teachers." whaa?
***********************************************************************
The kids and I had a nice little reunion and my room wasn't dirty so I didn't have to kill anyone.
carlton: did you tell your brother i said hi?
me: no, why?
carlton: in case he has to save my life one day! tell him my whole name, carlton warker. carlton warker says hi. so one day, if he ever has to save me, i can go, 'oh hey, i'm carlton warker!' and he'll go, 'oh, carlton warker, my sister taught you and you're a cool dude and you told me hi, so i'm gonna go ahead and save you. so don't forget to tell him."
me: well, alright then.
***********************************************************************
Principal said over the intercom: "Teachers, don't let kids out of your room. They are children because we are teachers." whaa?
***********************************************************************
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yes, We Can
I really don't know what my current political views would be if I had stayed in Alabama. I really liked John McCain in 2000, and I can't say that I actively dislike him now. (I dislike how he ran his campaign, and some of his choices, but I don't think he would be a horrible president.)
But living up here, and seeing people who never get inspired about anything, people who had written off politics a long time ago happily stand in line for 4 and 5 hours to vote for president was an amazing thing. Strangers hugging each other on the street; Children believing that they can become president someday, because finally someone who looks like them is in the White House. I can't imagine how people can look at that type of unity and say the horrible things I've heard from people outside this neighborhood. Every day of my four years here, I've had to actively search for hope. I can't tell you how many times I've said, "but I believe in you, why don't you believe in you?"
But today, we watched both Obama's acceptance speech. My kids were cheering. Cheering! They cheer over candy and snow days, not learning! They stayed up late to watch election coverage. They told me they couldn't sleep. Not because of the usual drug dealers and gunshots, but because of the cheers and car horns. They told me they don't want to say the N word anymore, even jokingly, because that's not how a president would talk. They chanted, "yes, we can!"
They said, "We can do it, Miss Vinson, we can make everything right."
But living up here, and seeing people who never get inspired about anything, people who had written off politics a long time ago happily stand in line for 4 and 5 hours to vote for president was an amazing thing. Strangers hugging each other on the street; Children believing that they can become president someday, because finally someone who looks like them is in the White House. I can't imagine how people can look at that type of unity and say the horrible things I've heard from people outside this neighborhood. Every day of my four years here, I've had to actively search for hope. I can't tell you how many times I've said, "but I believe in you, why don't you believe in you?"
But today, we watched both Obama's acceptance speech. My kids were cheering. Cheering! They cheer over candy and snow days, not learning! They stayed up late to watch election coverage. They told me they couldn't sleep. Not because of the usual drug dealers and gunshots, but because of the cheers and car horns. They told me they don't want to say the N word anymore, even jokingly, because that's not how a president would talk. They chanted, "yes, we can!"
They said, "We can do it, Miss Vinson, we can make everything right."
Today, We Salute You, Mr. Fire Alarm Silencer
So I'm a really lazy teacher. This ends up working in my favor because I make kids do everything, and principals, administrators and such get all googly-eyed when they see kids "being a part" of the classroom. For example, I hate when kids ask me to go to the bathroom. So everyday, a kid is in charge of the bathroom pass. Only one person out at a time, all that business. The rule is, if I hear you talking about the bathroom pass, you can't go. That way, they don't bother me about it. Everyone's happy.
I'm also really lazy in the fact that I hate going places. And the fire alarm gets pulled all the time. I hate getting them all lined up, out in the hallway, only to hear, "Teachers, disregard the fire alarm." And then we proceed to sit in the hallway for half an hour waiting for that ear piercing alarm to stop ringing. It really cramps my style. So, some kid found an old hooded sweatshirt, stuffed it into an empty bucket (I know right?) and now we use that to cover up the fire alarm so we can go on with class. The tricky part is that the kid has to stand on top of the counter and reach up to hold the bucket over the fire alarm.
Today, before I had even fully enunciated my, "UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH," Montel was up on the counter covering up the fire alarm. I mean, we barely skipped a beat. It was beautiful. Granted it ends up being like some Survivor-esque endurance challenge to maintain that position for almost 30 minutes, but he seems to enjoy himself.
I'm also really lazy in the fact that I hate going places. And the fire alarm gets pulled all the time. I hate getting them all lined up, out in the hallway, only to hear, "Teachers, disregard the fire alarm." And then we proceed to sit in the hallway for half an hour waiting for that ear piercing alarm to stop ringing. It really cramps my style. So, some kid found an old hooded sweatshirt, stuffed it into an empty bucket (I know right?) and now we use that to cover up the fire alarm so we can go on with class. The tricky part is that the kid has to stand on top of the counter and reach up to hold the bucket over the fire alarm.
Today, before I had even fully enunciated my, "UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH," Montel was up on the counter covering up the fire alarm. I mean, we barely skipped a beat. It was beautiful. Granted it ends up being like some Survivor-esque endurance challenge to maintain that position for almost 30 minutes, but he seems to enjoy himself.
Monday, November 3, 2008
See? It's Not Just Me.
Okay, raise your hand if you're tired of hearing about my principal.
Oh, well, I can't see you so here's another lovely little anecdote.
Mr. J came to our school last year. He's a cool guy, but he's also the biggest ass-kisser in the history of the world. Principal loved him. She made him into somewhat of an assistant to the assistant principal. He never taught a single class. It was weird. Like he was Rasputin or something. He had unproven amazingness.
This year she made him the 8th grade administrator. Except, wait, he's not an administrator. He's a teacher on a power trip. He's really shady.
Clearly she planned his downfall from the beginning.
Sometimes I think Principal is the smartest person in the world and we are all just puppets in her dramatic As The Middle School Turns TV show.
He was playing chess at 4:30p.m. with another teacher. Read the previous sentence one more time for emphasis. Principal was walking through the hallway and went batshit crazy on him. Why? Who knows. She told him to pack up his office and he's now the computer teacher. No longer the 8th grade administrator. (Again, I will put words in her mouth, but the tone was something like, "I'm making you a teacher, and I think teachers are only a few steps above dog poop.")
That was last Wednesday and he hasn't been back.
I actually get that. The only way you make it in this school is by having people respect you, and he would have ZERO respect from kids if he got put back in the classroom. I mean damn, some of the teachers would probably laugh at him.
But all this because he was playing chess after school?
Oh, and all basketball game days, the coach told all the boys they have to wear ties (and they are so precious!) Principal screamed and yelled because she didn't "Authorize" ties. ties? TIES? You flip out over middle school boys wearing TIES? Somebody needs a hobby.
Oh, well, I can't see you so here's another lovely little anecdote.
Mr. J came to our school last year. He's a cool guy, but he's also the biggest ass-kisser in the history of the world. Principal loved him. She made him into somewhat of an assistant to the assistant principal. He never taught a single class. It was weird. Like he was Rasputin or something. He had unproven amazingness.
This year she made him the 8th grade administrator. Except, wait, he's not an administrator. He's a teacher on a power trip. He's really shady.
Clearly she planned his downfall from the beginning.
Sometimes I think Principal is the smartest person in the world and we are all just puppets in her dramatic As The Middle School Turns TV show.
He was playing chess at 4:30p.m. with another teacher. Read the previous sentence one more time for emphasis. Principal was walking through the hallway and went batshit crazy on him. Why? Who knows. She told him to pack up his office and he's now the computer teacher. No longer the 8th grade administrator. (Again, I will put words in her mouth, but the tone was something like, "I'm making you a teacher, and I think teachers are only a few steps above dog poop.")
That was last Wednesday and he hasn't been back.
I actually get that. The only way you make it in this school is by having people respect you, and he would have ZERO respect from kids if he got put back in the classroom. I mean damn, some of the teachers would probably laugh at him.
But all this because he was playing chess after school?
Oh, and all basketball game days, the coach told all the boys they have to wear ties (and they are so precious!) Principal screamed and yelled because she didn't "Authorize" ties. ties? TIES? You flip out over middle school boys wearing TIES? Somebody needs a hobby.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Coming Up With Titles Makes Me Tired
- I broke up a fight between a male teacher and a male student last week.
"Students, we are about to have a fire drill. Even though it is not time for school to get out, just get your belongings and once you exit, just go home. Go straight home. This has nothing to do with that gang initiation stuff. Nothing at all. Go Straight Home!! But don't be scared. I'm not scared. It's no big deal. Not a big deal. Okay, the fire drill is happening...Now!"
Maybe somebody should have taken a deep breath and counted to ten before speaking over the intercom?
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