I can honestly say that I have worked with some great parents along my way these last 13 years. That's not to say that I haven't had my fair share of parents who gave me grief along the way. But I can say I have been lucky. Then there are those parents that just crack me up.
I am in the process of testing a student for a disability, autism specifically. Mom has consented... though she says that sped labels just mask school system failures. I thought that would be the end of my entertainment with her nope.
I had her fill out some behavior rating scales. Here is some of her comments to questions that were asked:
List sports your child most likes to participate in -
Bike Riding - Below average - he outgrew bike
Has your child had any academic problems in school?
Yes - (please describe) Too many to list here
Please describe the best things about your child:
Smart, Considerate, Self Possessed
Parent has to choose from 0 Never to 4 Very Frequently
not understand why others don't like him or her
How would I know?
Do you have any other concerns about your child?
None that decent role models/ functional school system wouldn't solve
What strengths does your child have?
My kid is awesome.
On the last form the parent is given a list of behaviors and they have to rate their frequency of doing the behavior as one of the following:
Is not able
Never when needed
Sometimes when needed
Always when needed
Then there is a bubble that they can mark if they make a comment. Here are the statements that she was to rate with the comments she had...
Places local phone calls - doesn't get the opportunity too
Carries enough money to make small purchases for example - doesn't get the chance (but she marked always when needed)
Walks alone to friend's houses in the neighborhood - walks to store not friends (she marked always when needed and this followed the above statement)
Carries personal identification when traveling to nearby places in the community (always when needed, and she guessed on this one) why would he? this is ridiculous
Finds and uses a pay phone If you could find a pay phone I'd be shocked.
Takes people on trips to nearby places, for example takes a younger child to the park no one to do this with/ for
Reads classified ads for purchases or services (marked always) How old is this survey
Looks at pictures or reads books or magazines during free time- online not physical
Ties his/ her own shoes: Knows the "right" way but insists on doing it his own way.
Gets out of bed on time by himself/herself Just recently started setting own alarm and getting ready for school himself
Works on one home or school activity for at least 15 min - home not school (despite early in survey she noted he refused to do certain types of chores such as sweeping)
Controls anger when another person breaks the rules in games and other fun activities frustration not anger
Shows sympathy for others when they are sad or upset (she marked never) Who on earth does that? Perhaps this survey was created for a person who has difficulty understanding social cues and interacting with others
My first thought on last one.. DOH!!! Ummm.. we are testing for autism... .and social cues and peer interactions are HALLMARK traits.. I think we may have figured out Mom as well..
One last...
The last section is based on work. The directions state
Complete the Work skill area if the individual being rated holds a part time or full time job.
Mom started to fill out that section which is common as you get into the habit of filling out the survey - many people have done it no big deal..
She gets halfway through - crosses out what she has.. underlines individual being rated holds a part time or full time job. and writes above it no job... Thanks Mom!
It also amazes me looking at this, how many things mom guessed on. I just find it interesting..
All in a days work.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Its been a week
This week has been a rather busy week.
Many of my students have been making poor decisions. At one point I even asked one of my students about it:
Me: Did I miss the crazy memo?
CT: Nope
Me: Crazy meeting?
CT: Nope
Me: Well what ever I missed that you all discussed I want it taken back. NOW!!! I can't do this!
CT: Laughs
Me: Run boy run!
Me and another staff member before going into what we knew was going to be a long and stressful meeting...
Me: We must say our prayers before going in
Staff: yes which would you like
Me: Dear Lord, I know you find this funny right now, but really it's not you can stop any time
Staff: yes that is a good one
Dean walks up a few minutes later and we say we have said our prayers - he makes the sign of the cross.
Love my staff!
When the deans say they have cops coming in a few minutes, your first question is what the hell did my kids do now?
Deans - not your kids
Me- Oh thank God!! Sorry for you but I'm happy it's not me......
Signs it's going to be a long week on Tuesday - your convinced a student of yours is high on something but you can't prove it and she won't tell you what she's taken.
I enjoy collaborating with fellow staff members - just now when they want to make it a complain fest.
When a completely insane parent of yours does a better job of subbing than the subs that are brought in - it may be time to throw in the towel.
When admin doesn't want said parent cause well she's crazy but loves the sub from the day before who had NO control because she taught in another country and was modifying the lesson - its going to be a long rest of the year.
And by modifying the assignment I mean they were to write about themselves:
What do you like to do?
What is your favorite color?
What do you like to do with your friends?
And the students were supposed to be working on an ISTEP writing prompt. Details.
Many of my students have been making poor decisions. At one point I even asked one of my students about it:
Me: Did I miss the crazy memo?
CT: Nope
Me: Crazy meeting?
CT: Nope
Me: Well what ever I missed that you all discussed I want it taken back. NOW!!! I can't do this!
CT: Laughs
Me: Run boy run!
Me and another staff member before going into what we knew was going to be a long and stressful meeting...
Me: We must say our prayers before going in
Staff: yes which would you like
Me: Dear Lord, I know you find this funny right now, but really it's not you can stop any time
Staff: yes that is a good one
Dean walks up a few minutes later and we say we have said our prayers - he makes the sign of the cross.
Love my staff!
When the deans say they have cops coming in a few minutes, your first question is what the hell did my kids do now?
Deans - not your kids
Me- Oh thank God!! Sorry for you but I'm happy it's not me......
Signs it's going to be a long week on Tuesday - your convinced a student of yours is high on something but you can't prove it and she won't tell you what she's taken.
I enjoy collaborating with fellow staff members - just now when they want to make it a complain fest.
When a completely insane parent of yours does a better job of subbing than the subs that are brought in - it may be time to throw in the towel.
When admin doesn't want said parent cause well she's crazy but loves the sub from the day before who had NO control because she taught in another country and was modifying the lesson - its going to be a long rest of the year.
And by modifying the assignment I mean they were to write about themselves:
What do you like to do?
What is your favorite color?
What do you like to do with your friends?
And the students were supposed to be working on an ISTEP writing prompt. Details.
Where?
It is 8:15 on a Thursday night... Where might you find your favorite SPED teacher?
Sitting at her computer getting ready to start in on work for a second round :) Cause she loves her job so much!
In all fairness I did leave work at 4:45.
Went straight to church meeting at 5:30 - lasted an hour. Left there to go to Super Target for ink for home printer cause I know I would be working tonight.
Went to drive through at one restaurant but really didn't want to wait in a long line, so went to another and headed home for the night.
So in all fairness I have only been home 30 min.
My goal is to do another blog post tonight.. We shall see
Sitting at her computer getting ready to start in on work for a second round :) Cause she loves her job so much!
In all fairness I did leave work at 4:45.
Went straight to church meeting at 5:30 - lasted an hour. Left there to go to Super Target for ink for home printer cause I know I would be working tonight.
Went to drive through at one restaurant but really didn't want to wait in a long line, so went to another and headed home for the night.
So in all fairness I have only been home 30 min.
My goal is to do another blog post tonight.. We shall see
Friday, February 5, 2016
Bad form all around
If you are a parent wondering if your behavior for a conference is in bad form might I offer some things not to do...
It may be in bad form to tell me to email you something you signed because that is where you keep your child's IEP stuff and then turn around and tell me that you don't check your email that often when you think I have done something wrong.
It may be in bad form if you tell the school not to call you about your child's behavior (throwing of chairs) because you are dealing with a medical issue. The medical issue: pregnancy.
It may be in bad for if you tell teachers that you don't know what to do for your son because it's not your problem as you are taking care of 3 other children at home at the moment.
Students - it may be in bad form to hit the principal even if he was trying get you into another room.
Principal- it may be in bad form to touch an upset student. Its worse form to say in front of him 10 days pending expulsion. It will only make him more mad. It will infuriate your staff if after the whole incident is over, you say that the child has no consequence and he can come back to school on Monday. (cause him being in the office madder than a hornet wasn't the first time today)
Principal - it may be in bad form for to ask your SPED staff to help fill in for Friday night school when they have just been through a horrific week and two of them are hobbling as they walk out of the building with one getting x-rays on her way home. We love our jobs really, but sometimes there is not enough money for us to stay an extra three hours.
One might think that it is just parents students and staff that entertain me. Believe it or not the general public sometimes entertains me just as much if not more. We have conferences tomorrow (yes on a Saturday, no I'm not happy but I digress) and I am remembered a story from I want to say about 2 years ago when we were doing our annual showcase (end of the year event kids demo what they know) The story goes something like this
A man walks into the building and up to the table that I am sitting at. He appears to be interested in what we are doing asks me about the school and the even that we are doing. You know all of the right questions. Finally he says that he's really not interested in the event, he stopped in because he saw that we were a school and open. See he and his friends, all in a band, were passing though town and stopped. He came in because he thought that since we were a school we would have showers in the locker room that he and his band mates could use as they were passing through. Nope sorry we don't.
- email your child's teacher saying you don't know if it will be a phone conference or an in person conference to then have your child rat you out saying that you didn't have to work that day.
- email your child's teacher 2 hours before conference saying you need to push back the meeting 30 min and you may be late and wonder if that's okay.
- when agreed upon meeting is now at 1:30 and by 3:15 you still aren't there - you might be in bad form.
- when you call up to the school at 3:30 to have your kids up front to be picked up by you - I recommend you tread lightly
- when you rush into school 5 min later complaining you have no time, classes and papers and make no mention of your child's conference that you missed... meeting me in a dark alley may be a blessing... just saying
It may be in bad form to tell me to email you something you signed because that is where you keep your child's IEP stuff and then turn around and tell me that you don't check your email that often when you think I have done something wrong.
It may be in bad form if you tell the school not to call you about your child's behavior (throwing of chairs) because you are dealing with a medical issue. The medical issue: pregnancy.
It may be in bad for if you tell teachers that you don't know what to do for your son because it's not your problem as you are taking care of 3 other children at home at the moment.
Students - it may be in bad form to hit the principal even if he was trying get you into another room.
Principal- it may be in bad form to touch an upset student. Its worse form to say in front of him 10 days pending expulsion. It will only make him more mad. It will infuriate your staff if after the whole incident is over, you say that the child has no consequence and he can come back to school on Monday. (cause him being in the office madder than a hornet wasn't the first time today)
Principal - it may be in bad form for to ask your SPED staff to help fill in for Friday night school when they have just been through a horrific week and two of them are hobbling as they walk out of the building with one getting x-rays on her way home. We love our jobs really, but sometimes there is not enough money for us to stay an extra three hours.
One might think that it is just parents students and staff that entertain me. Believe it or not the general public sometimes entertains me just as much if not more. We have conferences tomorrow (yes on a Saturday, no I'm not happy but I digress) and I am remembered a story from I want to say about 2 years ago when we were doing our annual showcase (end of the year event kids demo what they know) The story goes something like this
A man walks into the building and up to the table that I am sitting at. He appears to be interested in what we are doing asks me about the school and the even that we are doing. You know all of the right questions. Finally he says that he's really not interested in the event, he stopped in because he saw that we were a school and open. See he and his friends, all in a band, were passing though town and stopped. He came in because he thought that since we were a school we would have showers in the locker room that he and his band mates could use as they were passing through. Nope sorry we don't.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Eh?
I really have no words for today... I really just don't.
Never a good day when you wake up 15 min before you supposed to leave for work.
The thought to call in tired crosses your mind... then you realize that you don't have time for that... for the rest of the week... a sad moment...
When you see things in writing that probably should be in writing... that's never a good thing.
When by 9 am you have to explain to your boss that you have to admit what is written in writing or face a trip to the DOE... not a way to continue the day.
When you have to listen to an explanation that it is inconvenient that a child was suspended (not that they support what the child did) - I don't feel sorry for you.
When you are told that you didn't give a parent enough notice for a conference.. Umm... called you last week and sent home conference notice Monday for Wed. Not my problem you don't check your email and your kids don't give you what I send home.
Also getting upset which of your kids names I put on the envelope and which one I send it home with does not bode well for you. Again - the child it was for was suspended couldn't give it to him... I'm not that good.
When you get all happy that it's Thursday and you have time to catch a breath, and then get your bubble busted that it's only Wednesday... You have just earned McDonald's for lunch (and you swore that off)
You text your best friend saying I know we are supposed to get together at some point tonight but lets be real... I'd rather be be asleep by 9pm. Can't do that if we hang out... and she completely understands!
When staff are upset at you because a student walks out of class because he has use of a chill pass in his IEP.... you might be a sped teacher...
My response - No he can not walk out of class that is NOT part of the deal. Call if he needs a chill. If he walks out of a class... give him a consequence. Duh..
Staff: You mean that we can punish SPED kids... yes... yes you can.. I get that most of my kids respond to me because they know I will hold them accountable... but they need to be accountable to you as well. I won't be around for ever.
When you can not only entertain your hair dresser with stories from work but she and the hair dresser next to her actually look forward to your insane stories from work.. we have success...
You are encouraged by said hair dressers to write the book because the stories need to be heard is excellent! They do agree that it would need to be in science fiction because really, this can't be made up and really no one would believe half of this anyway. Lets be real here.
On a side note Cat fights in email are great - cat fights in person - even better!
Dear parents - when you want to transfer your student to my school.. be honest about why they are in a self contained classroom. When I have to read about behavior that is getting worse as of a week ago -it's not going to go well. I do have the power to put you on a wait list forever. Don't try me...
Parents - I get that not all students may fit at certain schools. Please though be honest - I know when you are looking at other schools. Don't tell me that you don't what direction to go when your husband tells me what schools you are looking for.
Also why would you want to go to a school out of district that you have to provide transportation for vs the high school in your home school that is closer that you can get a bus. Oh wait home high school is too big. (other schools: one has a reputation for violence and the other has a massive amount of steps... not good if you have CP.
Never a good day when you wake up 15 min before you supposed to leave for work.
The thought to call in tired crosses your mind... then you realize that you don't have time for that... for the rest of the week... a sad moment...
When you see things in writing that probably should be in writing... that's never a good thing.
When by 9 am you have to explain to your boss that you have to admit what is written in writing or face a trip to the DOE... not a way to continue the day.
When you have to listen to an explanation that it is inconvenient that a child was suspended (not that they support what the child did) - I don't feel sorry for you.
When you are told that you didn't give a parent enough notice for a conference.. Umm... called you last week and sent home conference notice Monday for Wed. Not my problem you don't check your email and your kids don't give you what I send home.
Also getting upset which of your kids names I put on the envelope and which one I send it home with does not bode well for you. Again - the child it was for was suspended couldn't give it to him... I'm not that good.
When you get all happy that it's Thursday and you have time to catch a breath, and then get your bubble busted that it's only Wednesday... You have just earned McDonald's for lunch (and you swore that off)
You text your best friend saying I know we are supposed to get together at some point tonight but lets be real... I'd rather be be asleep by 9pm. Can't do that if we hang out... and she completely understands!
When staff are upset at you because a student walks out of class because he has use of a chill pass in his IEP.... you might be a sped teacher...
My response - No he can not walk out of class that is NOT part of the deal. Call if he needs a chill. If he walks out of a class... give him a consequence. Duh..
Staff: You mean that we can punish SPED kids... yes... yes you can.. I get that most of my kids respond to me because they know I will hold them accountable... but they need to be accountable to you as well. I won't be around for ever.
When you can not only entertain your hair dresser with stories from work but she and the hair dresser next to her actually look forward to your insane stories from work.. we have success...
You are encouraged by said hair dressers to write the book because the stories need to be heard is excellent! They do agree that it would need to be in science fiction because really, this can't be made up and really no one would believe half of this anyway. Lets be real here.
On a side note Cat fights in email are great - cat fights in person - even better!
Dear parents - when you want to transfer your student to my school.. be honest about why they are in a self contained classroom. When I have to read about behavior that is getting worse as of a week ago -it's not going to go well. I do have the power to put you on a wait list forever. Don't try me...
Parents - I get that not all students may fit at certain schools. Please though be honest - I know when you are looking at other schools. Don't tell me that you don't what direction to go when your husband tells me what schools you are looking for.
Also why would you want to go to a school out of district that you have to provide transportation for vs the high school in your home school that is closer that you can get a bus. Oh wait home high school is too big. (other schools: one has a reputation for violence and the other has a massive amount of steps... not good if you have CP.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Random
When you are called on the walkie talkie 3 times and called out in the hallway that your appointment is here, each time explaining that you are in the middle of something you might be a special ed teacher. ( On the last occurrence I looked at the student and said I made that clear the first 3 times right? Student: Yep)
When you are called on the walkie talkie at 8:15 that someone is here to test (students don't enter the building for a good 10 min) and the only come back is the obvious - they will have to wait - you may be a special ed teacher.
When you give a teacher a student input form to fill out, and the teachers response is that child is so low that it will be hard to fill out for him... you might be a special ed teacher. (Student identified as a student with a specific learning disability today)
When a parent starts arguing about test results being invalid before you even start discussing them you might be a special ed teacher.
When you have to tell an already pissed off parent that her child doesn't qualify despite her thinking he has an IQ issue you might be a special ed teacher.
When a group of teachers agree that when one of your kiddos walks out of class they will serve an after school detention because you gave them a chill out pass - you might be a special ed teacher.
When parent asks to change a conference time an hour before conference when you have your part time contracted school psych there for the day... you might be a sped teacher.
You might be a sped teacher when a parent says they don't want a phone conference because they would be to far away from you.
When a parent says they will be 15 min late to a conference, you plan accordingly and then they show up on time at the first time and your scrambling because your now not prepared.... you might be a sped teacher.
When a grandparent through speaker phone tells you that their grandson is not special education material - you might be a special ed teacher at an initial conference.
When a parent asks you what does a specific learning disability in reading means - you might be a sped teacher. (No the obvious answer is not have you not been paying attention the last 30 min going over an explanation of test results that supports you saying your child has problems)
When a parent says they know that their child has problems, you offer an IEP after testing they respond by saying they need to research a specific learning disability in reading and special education and they need to pray about what to do - you might be a special education teacher
When a teacher tells you that you need to write a behavior plan for a student up for expulsion and that child has a behavior plan that teachers have had access to all year - you might be a special ed teacher.
When a teacher walks out of a classroom to go and talk to the principal about him not writing a hall pass for two students and asks you to cover her class - you might be a special education teacher.
Email from a teacher - J walked out of class. Anyone know where she is? Response: She's standing out of your classroom.
Take away a rubix cube from a student so that he will do his work. Response: You have no right to take that away from me. Then refuses to work for the remainder of the period, finally walking out of class.
When a student calls classmates assholes and then throws a chair - you might be a speical ed teacher.
Stopped in the hallway telling me that I need to check my voicemail because my 10:30 meeting needs me to call them. She wanted to make sure I called her so she got sent to my voice mail. This 5 min before I am supposed to start a day of conferences.
Call parent - Wants to know if she can reschedule because the state is coming to check out the daycare today and she just found out. My response - Nope. Due today and this is my only day with the school psych in the building.
Offered said parent a phone conference. Her response - no I don't want to be that far away from you guys. I will work something out. Thanks - I know you would see it my way.
When asked to call a parent who applied with a special ed student enrolling with anxiety so bad that office staff noticed.. you know that this will never end well.
Parent ended up calling me because you know I have been eating bon bons in my office. Student has been in self contained classroom for the last year and a half due to anxiety and behavior. Mom wants him away from that environment -so a college prep school is a good option - Mom says the anxiety has been under control for a year but he couldn't handle going back to his home school. Mom said the school was biased against him and didn't want him... uh huh... She wants Gallahue to start before he starts at our school... uh huh.. finally says so your school isn't a good fit for him. You said it mom not me. Then it was well should we wait til fourth grade...
When you are called on the walkie talkie at 8:15 that someone is here to test (students don't enter the building for a good 10 min) and the only come back is the obvious - they will have to wait - you may be a special ed teacher.
When you give a teacher a student input form to fill out, and the teachers response is that child is so low that it will be hard to fill out for him... you might be a special ed teacher. (Student identified as a student with a specific learning disability today)
When a parent starts arguing about test results being invalid before you even start discussing them you might be a special ed teacher.
When you have to tell an already pissed off parent that her child doesn't qualify despite her thinking he has an IQ issue you might be a special ed teacher.
When a group of teachers agree that when one of your kiddos walks out of class they will serve an after school detention because you gave them a chill out pass - you might be a special ed teacher.
When parent asks to change a conference time an hour before conference when you have your part time contracted school psych there for the day... you might be a sped teacher.
You might be a sped teacher when a parent says they don't want a phone conference because they would be to far away from you.
When a parent says they will be 15 min late to a conference, you plan accordingly and then they show up on time at the first time and your scrambling because your now not prepared.... you might be a sped teacher.
When a grandparent through speaker phone tells you that their grandson is not special education material - you might be a special ed teacher at an initial conference.
When a parent asks you what does a specific learning disability in reading means - you might be a sped teacher. (No the obvious answer is not have you not been paying attention the last 30 min going over an explanation of test results that supports you saying your child has problems)
When a parent says they know that their child has problems, you offer an IEP after testing they respond by saying they need to research a specific learning disability in reading and special education and they need to pray about what to do - you might be a special education teacher
When a teacher tells you that you need to write a behavior plan for a student up for expulsion and that child has a behavior plan that teachers have had access to all year - you might be a special ed teacher.
When a teacher walks out of a classroom to go and talk to the principal about him not writing a hall pass for two students and asks you to cover her class - you might be a special education teacher.
Email from a teacher - J walked out of class. Anyone know where she is? Response: She's standing out of your classroom.
Take away a rubix cube from a student so that he will do his work. Response: You have no right to take that away from me. Then refuses to work for the remainder of the period, finally walking out of class.
When a student calls classmates assholes and then throws a chair - you might be a speical ed teacher.
Stopped in the hallway telling me that I need to check my voicemail because my 10:30 meeting needs me to call them. She wanted to make sure I called her so she got sent to my voice mail. This 5 min before I am supposed to start a day of conferences.
Call parent - Wants to know if she can reschedule because the state is coming to check out the daycare today and she just found out. My response - Nope. Due today and this is my only day with the school psych in the building.
Offered said parent a phone conference. Her response - no I don't want to be that far away from you guys. I will work something out. Thanks - I know you would see it my way.
When asked to call a parent who applied with a special ed student enrolling with anxiety so bad that office staff noticed.. you know that this will never end well.
Parent ended up calling me because you know I have been eating bon bons in my office. Student has been in self contained classroom for the last year and a half due to anxiety and behavior. Mom wants him away from that environment -so a college prep school is a good option - Mom says the anxiety has been under control for a year but he couldn't handle going back to his home school. Mom said the school was biased against him and didn't want him... uh huh... She wants Gallahue to start before he starts at our school... uh huh.. finally says so your school isn't a good fit for him. You said it mom not me. Then it was well should we wait til fourth grade...
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Cat fight...
Best part of the day...
Watching a cat fight take place about lunch duty happen through email.. Now that's entertainment.
Watching a cat fight take place about lunch duty happen through email.. Now that's entertainment.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Parent Concerns
Spoke with a parent through email last week about testing her son for Special Education. She openly said that she has been ignoring and denying the fact that her son may be on the autism spectrum for many years and that it is time to finally admit it and get her son the help that he needs. This is a parent who approached me after speaking with the teachers and I just hadn't called her yet. Worked out kind of nicely because well having the conversation about autism is never easy, especially in high school.
So I sent home the permission for testing (yes special education testing) and a developmental history for parent to fill out.
One of the questions on the developmental history asks what the parents concerns are. These are hers:
1. Teachers aren't required to understand child development.
2. Special Education labels are just cover ups masking the failures of the school system.
3. My son doesn't complete his work
4. My son doesn't pay attention
5. My son doesn't work up to his potential
I got nothing...
Now for my nose breaker student... yes the one that walked up hit a student so hard he sent the other student to the ER with his mother with a broken nose.
Found out today that I am expected to save said student from being expelled... cause I make those decisions (I do but I digress) and he is a good kid. Also the reason he broke the kids nose is because of me. Apparently I am not following his IEP. Well, when you kick him out of not one but two classes in a period and don't try to get a hold of me... Yeah I'm not a mind reader. I'm good but not that good.
Also found out that apparently a large group of people that I work with me don't like me because I'm hard to get along with and I don't do my job.
Whatever - come walk in my job for a day. I don't know that you would make it. Not that their job isn't hard but still.
So I sent home the permission for testing (yes special education testing) and a developmental history for parent to fill out.
One of the questions on the developmental history asks what the parents concerns are. These are hers:
1. Teachers aren't required to understand child development.
2. Special Education labels are just cover ups masking the failures of the school system.
3. My son doesn't complete his work
4. My son doesn't pay attention
5. My son doesn't work up to his potential
I got nothing...
Now for my nose breaker student... yes the one that walked up hit a student so hard he sent the other student to the ER with his mother with a broken nose.
Found out today that I am expected to save said student from being expelled... cause I make those decisions (I do but I digress) and he is a good kid. Also the reason he broke the kids nose is because of me. Apparently I am not following his IEP. Well, when you kick him out of not one but two classes in a period and don't try to get a hold of me... Yeah I'm not a mind reader. I'm good but not that good.
Also found out that apparently a large group of people that I work with me don't like me because I'm hard to get along with and I don't do my job.
Whatever - come walk in my job for a day. I don't know that you would make it. Not that their job isn't hard but still.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
New Semester
We are partially through January which means we have started a new semester. The laughs keep on coming.
What we have seen so far:
Called a parent to follow up on child saying that he is moving. Parent phone went straight to voice mail with the message:
I am out of town, I can't be reached, my phone doesn't work, and I will get back to you when I am back in town. Good cause you know you don't have 2 kids in school.
Short weeks are always fun, they provide unique challenges. This week has been no different.
Friday we ended the week with a fight between two of my students. One willingly came out of the classroom after said fight, explaining why he was right. The other refused to leave the room saying he did nothing wrong at all....
Monday No School (it was recommended that I take my nephew to the children's museum because it is free. No thanks, I will pay admission - less crowds.
Tuesday -
One of my students felt the need to punch another student in the nose after the other student had flipped him the middle finger. Cause you know that's what we do. It was so bad that said student ended up in the ER with a bad broken nose (the worst one that our dean has ever seen)
Wednesday -
Snow hits at rush hour cause that is never ever a good start to the day...
2 hour delay
Honor's day is scheduled for the day. We continue on with Honor's day instead of moving it. K-5 does it in their rooms. Middle school does theirs in the gym cause you know that's fair.
Had a student (not mine) in tears in the office crying because another student balled up his paper and threw it away because he finished first. Despite they were competing to see who got done first.
What we have seen so far:
Called a parent to follow up on child saying that he is moving. Parent phone went straight to voice mail with the message:
I am out of town, I can't be reached, my phone doesn't work, and I will get back to you when I am back in town. Good cause you know you don't have 2 kids in school.
Short weeks are always fun, they provide unique challenges. This week has been no different.
Friday we ended the week with a fight between two of my students. One willingly came out of the classroom after said fight, explaining why he was right. The other refused to leave the room saying he did nothing wrong at all....
Monday No School (it was recommended that I take my nephew to the children's museum because it is free. No thanks, I will pay admission - less crowds.
Tuesday -
One of my students felt the need to punch another student in the nose after the other student had flipped him the middle finger. Cause you know that's what we do. It was so bad that said student ended up in the ER with a bad broken nose (the worst one that our dean has ever seen)
Wednesday -
Snow hits at rush hour cause that is never ever a good start to the day...
2 hour delay
Honor's day is scheduled for the day. We continue on with Honor's day instead of moving it. K-5 does it in their rooms. Middle school does theirs in the gym cause you know that's fair.
Had a student (not mine) in tears in the office crying because another student balled up his paper and threw it away because he finished first. Despite they were competing to see who got done first.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
From my perspective
As I sat in a math class today, this is what I see and hear:
He was calling up students one at a time to the board to solve one volume problem and then later to solve a one step equation for class participation points. He was doing this individually to assess students while giving the rest of the class nothing to do.
Math class round 2 - cause we didn't have enough fun the first time.
Other things that I have heard from this class:
Oh good, I was just calling you. I was calling you to let you know that A has a headache. Good to know.
Later asks, well should I send him to the nurse? Well, that's your call. This is a child who is normally very active, almost passed out at his desk.
Not that we have been at a level 0 (no talking) but I will let you go to a level 1 or 1 and a half during this next exercise. (Start again calling one student up to the board at a time)
Was told at 5:20 that one of my students was in a near fight at the end of the day... wanted me to do something about it. Umm the child has already gone home. Not much I can do now.
If that wasn't enough...
Had my teaching credentials questioned yesterday by a 7th grader. She didn't think I was a teacher because I'm not in the room all the time. All the gen ed teacher said was, yeah we co-teach. Thanks for standing up for me. Appreciate it
Same class, had a student look me dead in the eye and say why don't you take those students out, they are your students. Thanks but I teach all kids. Nothing from the gen ed teacher
We have an event tonight that I will miss. Students have been running wild in the building sense dismissal. Glad to know there is supervision :)
- Students talking about Mexicans taking over everything
- Another student group recalling all kinds of stories from previous years
- Student sitting in the front row, sharpening a pair of scissors that he broke
- As a student leaves the room to go to the bathroom, calls a female student a jerk
- Teacher responds, watch our language after he has left
- Students are still eating parts of their breakfast that the stashed away in desks. Breakfast is over at 8:55, this was at 10:24
- Student refuses to do problem on the board because he has already done two on the board
- Really he wants to continue sleeping in the back of the room
- Teacher later is concerned that he at times has been eating bags of sugar and then will crash from being hyper.
- Students decide to all gather on one side of the room to have a group conversation. I am pretty sure that I have heard the word stripper at least twice..
- Last minute of the class, two thirds of the class walks out of the room. Teacher try's to follow them saying you leave and it's a detention. After the bell rings, he tells the remaining students they can now pack up and leave
He was calling up students one at a time to the board to solve one volume problem and then later to solve a one step equation for class participation points. He was doing this individually to assess students while giving the rest of the class nothing to do.
Math class round 2 - cause we didn't have enough fun the first time.
- I walk into class with the class upset - because their warm up was having to write 21 times that they would not throw things in the room.
- Why? Apparently several students were throwing things yesterday in class so this is how we handle it.
- At the same time he is passing out detentions from yesterday. Further making students mad
- I'm called rude because nobody is listening and I am trying to keep the class quiet. Keep in mind they are yelling at teacher not allowing him to explain anything.
Other things that I have heard from this class:
Oh good, I was just calling you. I was calling you to let you know that A has a headache. Good to know.
Later asks, well should I send him to the nurse? Well, that's your call. This is a child who is normally very active, almost passed out at his desk.
Not that we have been at a level 0 (no talking) but I will let you go to a level 1 or 1 and a half during this next exercise. (Start again calling one student up to the board at a time)
Was told at 5:20 that one of my students was in a near fight at the end of the day... wanted me to do something about it. Umm the child has already gone home. Not much I can do now.
If that wasn't enough...
Had my teaching credentials questioned yesterday by a 7th grader. She didn't think I was a teacher because I'm not in the room all the time. All the gen ed teacher said was, yeah we co-teach. Thanks for standing up for me. Appreciate it
Same class, had a student look me dead in the eye and say why don't you take those students out, they are your students. Thanks but I teach all kids. Nothing from the gen ed teacher
We have an event tonight that I will miss. Students have been running wild in the building sense dismissal. Glad to know there is supervision :)
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Gearing up
Sitting here tonight gearing up for a new week. 7 days until Thanksgiving Break...
5 days this week. 2 days the following week..
Why only 2 days you ask? Isn't that just asking for trouble?? Why yes yes it is, but what do I know. :)
Last week ended on a high note...
Student threw her full milk carton of milk across the room at breakfast. Why? She wanted too. She now is the second child that her teacher has banned from having milk in the morning because they don't know how to use it. Don't think that's legal but okay..
By 9 am 4th grader dropped the F bomb.
New student who was supposed to start on Monday started on Friday and was put in the section I didn't want him in. Too be continued...
Day ended with me playing babysitter to high schoolers...
Why?
Massive fight (10 kids) got into a fight over... wait for it.... designer jeans.
I was supposed to cover for someone but called and said that there is no way I can cover. She wasn't happy but not walking away from this one..
You know it's bad when they call for all administrators over the walkie talkies. I'm some how included in this all call. Didn't think I was an administrator. If I am I SO want the pay check.
On a positive note.. there was no sped kiddos in the starting or ongoing of this fight.
Thank you dear lord for small favors.
5 days this week. 2 days the following week..
Why only 2 days you ask? Isn't that just asking for trouble?? Why yes yes it is, but what do I know. :)
Last week ended on a high note...
Student threw her full milk carton of milk across the room at breakfast. Why? She wanted too. She now is the second child that her teacher has banned from having milk in the morning because they don't know how to use it. Don't think that's legal but okay..
By 9 am 4th grader dropped the F bomb.
New student who was supposed to start on Monday started on Friday and was put in the section I didn't want him in. Too be continued...
Day ended with me playing babysitter to high schoolers...
Why?
Massive fight (10 kids) got into a fight over... wait for it.... designer jeans.
I was supposed to cover for someone but called and said that there is no way I can cover. She wasn't happy but not walking away from this one..
You know it's bad when they call for all administrators over the walkie talkies. I'm some how included in this all call. Didn't think I was an administrator. If I am I SO want the pay check.
On a positive note.. there was no sped kiddos in the starting or ongoing of this fight.
Thank you dear lord for small favors.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Long time no write...
It has been a few days okay maybe more... since I last wrote.. For sure not lacking in the story department...
Oh were to start.... Ahh yes...
Had several students withdraw because they were facing expulsion.
One student among other things threw an apple down the hallway during passing period. Why? He wanted to get his friend's attention.
Another student during the manifestation meeting started screaming at her mother about telling family secrets. (really mom wasn't. Giving us background) Student tells mom it's all moms fault because she didn't get her the therapy that her probation officer said she needed. Sure cause being on probation isn't your first problem.
Third student got into three fights within the first 5 minutes of school. The third one could have been avoided had she stayed in the deans office where she was asked to stay... Nope too easy. She felt the need to leave and finish what she started. Have fun with that one...
In the world of how many times can we violate IEP's/ SPED Law:
Was told that at my school we don't offer the Certificate of Completion option and we can change the graduation requirements and student could get a general diploma.... Ummm... the student is 18 with no credits and has a low IQ. Mom knows that he isn't getting a high school diploma. She asked for a certificate of completion.. Oh and the state offers it and allows that to be an option for students but okay.
Had a student be dropped out of high ability... why? She uses a calculator. As a result maybe she can't handle the workload of high ability. Does she use it more than she should, yes. Is there some anxiety there yes. Does that mean you can tell her not to use her calculator. Nope sorry that violates her IEP. Was also told oh well maybe we need to look at who gets a calculator because maybe not all SPED students need them. Especially if we are only giving them the calculator for ISTEP. We shouldn't eb worried about one test. No cause my performance is based on that but what ever.
Where I work has started doing teachers and student's of the month. Fantastic idea!!! I somehow managed to win the first month.. Don't know how but okay.. The reason: my evaluation score, the number of phone calls and home visits I have done... Umm... I haven't done any of the required home visits but hey who's counting right? So there were for of us that were chosen... We all got it for the same reason. Not that I am ungreatful, but could we use a little bit of creativity?
I was setting up some conferences. When I was letting teacher's know, one teacher said, oh I didn't realize you were testing her... Cause you missed me hounding you for the paperwork...
Confirming above said conferences with teacher saying I have so and so's parent coming in for a parent meeting on Friday at 9:30. Teacher: So is the parent going to be there? Nope...
Was asked within 5 seconds of walking into my office for the morning if I had tested a student and why I hadn't placed this child. Teachers know I'm busy but if I could put this request at the top of my list of things to do they would be greatful because it is a testing grade and the parent wants someone to read the test to her..... Oh and she can't read...
So lets process here... Good morning to you too.. I had plans of getting other thing done this morning but I guess not. So I go stomping out of my office to find the testing file... cause I'm pissed and wanted to make a point.. (come to find out it was in my office but detail I needed to walk away)
Recap of the student with teachers -
Dad died - mom refused counseling
Severely inattentive - recommended that mom take her to the doctor (she didn't)
Recommended retention- mom refused
Do we see a theme here? Oh we do!!! So you want me to place her why???
Teacher response: So what do you want me to tell mom. Please write it out for me so I don't forget or say something wrong. Nope sorry... ain't got time for that.. I explained what needed to be addressed with mom. That's all I got.
Had a student go "missing" today... turns out he asked for a pass to the bathroom. Only he didn't go to the bathroom. He chose to go and get a laptop from who knows where and sat outside the cafeteria looking at highly inappropriate things doing highly to himself thinking we wouldn't find him.
Go to call parents about the situation not one single phone number works for them. Get two more from therapist and those don't work either.
Explained situation to therapist.. I got the response of well he is impulsive and maybe he didn't take his meds. Umm no sorry that is SO not the explanation here. And I needed to let her know the consequence so that she can advocate for him. Ummm... he chose sorry... At the end she was happy that a student find him but that it must have been traumatic for who found the student. Nope not really... if your tramutaized by porn and pants pulled down.. you don't need to be in SPED.
As I am dealing with above situation I walk into my office get a call from the front office saying that someone is here to test... where do they need to report to cause that can't use the conference room... Uhhh... tell them to wait and I will figure it out.. So where do they need to go? Tell them to wait. Cause above all else... the child is in lunch for the next six minutes...
Get off the phone, figure out where to put the tester and my phone rings again... Another staff member calling to say that an IEP is done and could I look at it right now so that she can send it home. She updated some things and wants me to look at it... Told her so not doing right now and I will get to it. Later mentioned the writing goal that was inappropriate.. Her response: Well it was a carry over from last year... Uhhh if it's not an appropriate goal re-write it. Also I KNOW I didn't write the goal... and I had her last year.
After 30 minutes - I finally sat down to get lunch that I had so desperately been trying to do.. 20 minutes to eat. SWEET!!!
Oh wait... Get a call on the radio.. I'm needed in the office... They can wait...
Get up there.. Yes.. the school psych is here waiting for you - Yep I know she found me... And there was another lady here looking for you and I don't know where she went (figured out it was the tester) Yep got that fixed too.. cause yeah no one can do anything without me.
Conference One of afternoon- goes great parent's on board were good... Finally I'm on a roll..
Crash - conference two...
Parent and therapist come in. Mom appears to have an anger issue but okay. 5 - 10 min in the conference get a phone call from the office. You can use the conference room it's open.. Thanks we're good and we have started.
We get to the part of the behavior rating scales. I said that I don't have the teacher's form.
Therapist: What do you mean you don't have it.
Me: Teacher didn't return it she lost it
Therapist: Well what do I need to do to get this form so that I can get this child an IEP? He really needs one..
Me: We have inut from the teacher so we're good.
Long story short the child has some anger issues and is possibly ADHD that's not treated.
Therapist wants an IEP because the child only works for rewards, looses his homework and is often off task.. Sorry nope I don't write IEP's for that.
Therapist: So what do I need to do?
Me: Follow up on the ADHD and we will see how he responds to treatment if it works we are good if not we meet again..
Therapist: So follow up begining of February...
Me: How about March...
Staff meeting today to go over discipline - much needed... I would say I remember the meeting but lets be honest I don't. I do know I agree with what was said....
During said staff meeting... a fellow staff member brings her kids who are students to the meeting and they are all over the place and one starts scream crying at one point..
Dean of students comes over to explain punishment for student earlier and asked if we had another number because the new numbers we were given didn't work at all either. So could I get ahold of therapist. Sure!
So I'm texting with therapist during the meeting with my boss who is standing behind me and who said to put phones on silent and pay attention.. Honestly I'm doing work... Swear!!!
Good thing there were handouts from that staff meeting!
Is it Friday?
Oh were to start.... Ahh yes...
Had several students withdraw because they were facing expulsion.
One student among other things threw an apple down the hallway during passing period. Why? He wanted to get his friend's attention.
Another student during the manifestation meeting started screaming at her mother about telling family secrets. (really mom wasn't. Giving us background) Student tells mom it's all moms fault because she didn't get her the therapy that her probation officer said she needed. Sure cause being on probation isn't your first problem.
Third student got into three fights within the first 5 minutes of school. The third one could have been avoided had she stayed in the deans office where she was asked to stay... Nope too easy. She felt the need to leave and finish what she started. Have fun with that one...
In the world of how many times can we violate IEP's/ SPED Law:
Was told that at my school we don't offer the Certificate of Completion option and we can change the graduation requirements and student could get a general diploma.... Ummm... the student is 18 with no credits and has a low IQ. Mom knows that he isn't getting a high school diploma. She asked for a certificate of completion.. Oh and the state offers it and allows that to be an option for students but okay.
Had a student be dropped out of high ability... why? She uses a calculator. As a result maybe she can't handle the workload of high ability. Does she use it more than she should, yes. Is there some anxiety there yes. Does that mean you can tell her not to use her calculator. Nope sorry that violates her IEP. Was also told oh well maybe we need to look at who gets a calculator because maybe not all SPED students need them. Especially if we are only giving them the calculator for ISTEP. We shouldn't eb worried about one test. No cause my performance is based on that but what ever.
Where I work has started doing teachers and student's of the month. Fantastic idea!!! I somehow managed to win the first month.. Don't know how but okay.. The reason: my evaluation score, the number of phone calls and home visits I have done... Umm... I haven't done any of the required home visits but hey who's counting right? So there were for of us that were chosen... We all got it for the same reason. Not that I am ungreatful, but could we use a little bit of creativity?
I was setting up some conferences. When I was letting teacher's know, one teacher said, oh I didn't realize you were testing her... Cause you missed me hounding you for the paperwork...
Confirming above said conferences with teacher saying I have so and so's parent coming in for a parent meeting on Friday at 9:30. Teacher: So is the parent going to be there? Nope...
Was asked within 5 seconds of walking into my office for the morning if I had tested a student and why I hadn't placed this child. Teachers know I'm busy but if I could put this request at the top of my list of things to do they would be greatful because it is a testing grade and the parent wants someone to read the test to her..... Oh and she can't read...
So lets process here... Good morning to you too.. I had plans of getting other thing done this morning but I guess not. So I go stomping out of my office to find the testing file... cause I'm pissed and wanted to make a point.. (come to find out it was in my office but detail I needed to walk away)
Recap of the student with teachers -
Dad died - mom refused counseling
Severely inattentive - recommended that mom take her to the doctor (she didn't)
Recommended retention- mom refused
Do we see a theme here? Oh we do!!! So you want me to place her why???
Teacher response: So what do you want me to tell mom. Please write it out for me so I don't forget or say something wrong. Nope sorry... ain't got time for that.. I explained what needed to be addressed with mom. That's all I got.
Had a student go "missing" today... turns out he asked for a pass to the bathroom. Only he didn't go to the bathroom. He chose to go and get a laptop from who knows where and sat outside the cafeteria looking at highly inappropriate things doing highly to himself thinking we wouldn't find him.
Go to call parents about the situation not one single phone number works for them. Get two more from therapist and those don't work either.
Explained situation to therapist.. I got the response of well he is impulsive and maybe he didn't take his meds. Umm no sorry that is SO not the explanation here. And I needed to let her know the consequence so that she can advocate for him. Ummm... he chose sorry... At the end she was happy that a student find him but that it must have been traumatic for who found the student. Nope not really... if your tramutaized by porn and pants pulled down.. you don't need to be in SPED.
As I am dealing with above situation I walk into my office get a call from the front office saying that someone is here to test... where do they need to report to cause that can't use the conference room... Uhhh... tell them to wait and I will figure it out.. So where do they need to go? Tell them to wait. Cause above all else... the child is in lunch for the next six minutes...
Get off the phone, figure out where to put the tester and my phone rings again... Another staff member calling to say that an IEP is done and could I look at it right now so that she can send it home. She updated some things and wants me to look at it... Told her so not doing right now and I will get to it. Later mentioned the writing goal that was inappropriate.. Her response: Well it was a carry over from last year... Uhhh if it's not an appropriate goal re-write it. Also I KNOW I didn't write the goal... and I had her last year.
After 30 minutes - I finally sat down to get lunch that I had so desperately been trying to do.. 20 minutes to eat. SWEET!!!
Oh wait... Get a call on the radio.. I'm needed in the office... They can wait...
Get up there.. Yes.. the school psych is here waiting for you - Yep I know she found me... And there was another lady here looking for you and I don't know where she went (figured out it was the tester) Yep got that fixed too.. cause yeah no one can do anything without me.
Conference One of afternoon- goes great parent's on board were good... Finally I'm on a roll..
Crash - conference two...
Parent and therapist come in. Mom appears to have an anger issue but okay. 5 - 10 min in the conference get a phone call from the office. You can use the conference room it's open.. Thanks we're good and we have started.
We get to the part of the behavior rating scales. I said that I don't have the teacher's form.
Therapist: What do you mean you don't have it.
Me: Teacher didn't return it she lost it
Therapist: Well what do I need to do to get this form so that I can get this child an IEP? He really needs one..
Me: We have inut from the teacher so we're good.
Long story short the child has some anger issues and is possibly ADHD that's not treated.
Therapist wants an IEP because the child only works for rewards, looses his homework and is often off task.. Sorry nope I don't write IEP's for that.
Therapist: So what do I need to do?
Me: Follow up on the ADHD and we will see how he responds to treatment if it works we are good if not we meet again..
Therapist: So follow up begining of February...
Me: How about March...
Staff meeting today to go over discipline - much needed... I would say I remember the meeting but lets be honest I don't. I do know I agree with what was said....
During said staff meeting... a fellow staff member brings her kids who are students to the meeting and they are all over the place and one starts scream crying at one point..
Dean of students comes over to explain punishment for student earlier and asked if we had another number because the new numbers we were given didn't work at all either. So could I get ahold of therapist. Sure!
So I'm texting with therapist during the meeting with my boss who is standing behind me and who said to put phones on silent and pay attention.. Honestly I'm doing work... Swear!!!
Good thing there were handouts from that staff meeting!
Is it Friday?
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