From my perspective

As I sat in a math class today, this is what I see and hear:

• 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

You ask, well what was the teacher doing during this whole time. Good question!

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 :) 

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.

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?

Random Stories

I was given a students file to look at to see if he would be a good match at our school and we could meet his needs....

I knew it had been a while since he had services because his IEP was in the OLD version of the statewide IEP program. Within two days he had been tested and dismissed from speech... record time from discussion to dismissal but hey. Turns out that the child hasn't been enrolled in school for two years. Yep you read that right.

Out of a student binder falls a plastic container of something. So without anything better to do we as a staff pass it around the office to figure out what it is. The jury is out as to what it was. So I call one of the other SPED teachers who is the self proclaimed drug expert ( we don't question) and he quickly confirmed that the substance was indeed pot. FUN times! This then led into a discussion about what some staff had done when growing up... yeah we won't go there.. lets just say yeah...

We have a site visit going on this week. It is an outside organization looking through everything to make sure we are doing what we need to do. It was supposed to be 5 days and has some how gone down to 2. I was supposed to have someone go through all of my files for 2 days. Come to find out, she will be here one day to go through my files, do observations and meet with the ESL person to go through her files. Yeah that ain't going to happen.

Just wondering....

I warn you in advance, this last week has been a very trying week. This is just one of those posts that I need to get everything off of my chest..

Just wondering out loud...

Why is it so hard for people to use common sense?  If you are a resource teacher and you are doing progress on goals... and the goal is for Expressive Language... do you really think you are the one that monitors that one since child's secondary disability is a language impairment?

Why is it okay for a teacher to say well when I'm doing a test with a student and there is an essay question and they have trouble writing, I just tell the student not to do the question.

Why do you need the secretary in the office to file things? Well I just didn't know what to do

Why: We have a 1:30 meeting, would you like me to wait up front for the parent and student? Nope - the office knows where I'm at.

Why can't you put a child's reading level on progress monitoring when you have a psych report that has his current reading level on it?

Why is it always me that has to problem solve for people that don't know what the heck they are doing?

Why do I get asked when scheduling a meeting do we ask the service providers first when they want the meeting or the parent first... when you KNOW when the service providers are in the building.

Why do I need to give permission to start collecting data for a students conference that is coming up
  due?

Why does it take so much time and effort to get simple things done?

Why can't people do things the FIRST time that I ask them to do it?

Why do people get upset when I start getting crappy because they didn't do their job the first time I asked.  And they wonder why I'm pissed...

Why do people feel the need to tell me every little detail of what they are doing every second of the day. I don't care that much. I really don't.

Stepping away...

Side of Panic

Love that my bosses have some faith in my skills... don't love that they include panic attacks with their trust.

As a staff we have PD on Thursday (first day of  Fall Break mind you but whatever), I had NO intentions of presenting this time around, as we have a site visit next week and well I just don't need that kind of stress. Or so I thought.

In recent days there has been a change in leadership at the corporate level within my department. This means that the person for my department isn't coming. No big deal - I have PLENTY to do during department meetings.

I get an email (followed by a phone call confirming) from my boss that was forwarded to me from the big people at corporate asking if I could do what was asked in the email. The email states that they need someone to cover the three sessions that were supposed to be done by the person from my department who isn't coming. Oh by the way she left word that I should be the one to do the presentations in Indiana... WHAT!?!?!

So I really had no way to say no... cause how could I.

Oh and by the way - had no materials for three said presentations. It's Monday... PD is on Thursday...

Panic attack starts NOW!!!

I emailed the head academic person saying sure I'll do it but umm you better give me the materials... Luckily he did and is bringing the handouts for me. As he should. :)

Yeah... love the faith here..

Long week

This week has been a long week. Don't know why but it has been.

Thursday ended with three fights within 20 minutes of dismissal.

Friday started with one of my parents dropping the F bomb multiple times while screaming at the dean in the hallway.

Had an intern show up to finish testing a child and then didn't know who she should test. Gave her a student. A second intern showed up to test the one we started testing in the morning. She had to call the school psychologist twice to find out what to do.

While passing out things to go home, got called to get one of my ADHD kids and go to a classroom in the high school at the same time. For a test mind you.

So make it back on my side to get said ADHD kid - he goes running down the hall screaming "I want Gatorade!" Nope sorry you don't get that reward party. Needless to say I sent the dean to chase him while I gave a math test. In all fairness I told the dean to send the other student to me.

Same said ADHD kid got kicked out of English class three times that morning. We kept putting him back in class, thus pissing off the sub. At one point she is screaming at me and the dean saying she's not dealing with this diabolical child with him standing right there. Yeah well sorry..

Later on I go to get his work.. She's telling the class after I am in there that she has no problem sending them with the security officer that is standing in the room. Who me? Nope sorry!

I AM A TEACHER

I AM A TEACHER
I went to college, got a four year degree.
Was required to go back to college and get a Master's Degree.
I applied for many positions and even worked as a substitute teacher.
I endured state and national testing.
I was finger printed and background checked.
I trained before, during, and after my training/ education.
I continue to train because I am a lifelong learner.
Since full time employment, I have sacrificed time, sleep, and Family.
I have sacrificed my own money year after year to provide for my students.
I am a teacher.
I have learned, lasted, endured change, endured further change, and endured orders to embrace the change.
While you were sleeping, I have corrected papers and tests, researched and created, and endured harassing phone calls and emails with grace and professionalism.
I teach the kids who live on your streets.
I teach the kids that have been bailed out of jail.
I teach the kids who have been kicked out of psychiatric centers because they were beyond help.
I teach the kids whose home situations you could never imagine even in your worst nightmares.
I teach ALL students no matter their socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, medical/ psychiatric condition, good or poor attitude, religion, family circumstances.
When accused by the federal and state government for being part of a failing system,
I endure name calling, shame, and criticism simply because I am a teacher.
I am professionally evaluated on two days worth of test scores and not the amount of time and effort I put into my teaching.
And despite it all,
I AM a teacher
And devoted to this noble calling.

Batman

Thanks to a former student I, Batman will never quite be the same...

Words can not even begin to describe my day...

Student comes to school in uniform, and at some point changes into a Batman costume, and proceeds to lay on the floor refusing to move or take off the outfit. Mom's response: He's out of meds, we go to the doctor tomorrow and I can't come pick him up for a couple of hours, my car is broken..

This was by 8:10.... the day didn't get better....


If and when I ever write a book. I think this here will be my intro... 

Memories

Thanks to Memories on Facebook I was reminded of this gem of a story:

So today, one of my 2nd graders (who is computer savy) got into my email (without me knowing he had slipped out of class and I was not in my office) to email HIS teacher to tell her to call his dad so he could be a "truck" rider. 

I know this because he didn't send the email.. it was still in my draft box. Oh this child... thank God he is cute because if not....

(For the record I left my office for 5 minutes...not knowing what silliness would happen)

Hard to believe that this student is a 5th grader this year!  He is no longer at my school. I often wonder how he is doing.

If I had to pick a favorite student... for sure he would be among my top 5. Not that we teachers have a favorite. Nope...

Reflection

Education today is hard. 

Teaching today is hard. 
 
Would I ever consider leaving - not on your life.  

What I am learning this year is some of the simple things that I've never really thought about or thought it was okay to do. 


Walk away - It will still be there tomorrow. I promise. 

Take time for yourself- if not you loose yourself somewhere along this road. 

Remember that you have interests - follow them!

Friends - they are your lifeline!

Have someone that you can confide in. Being able to blow steam is a good thing. Find somone that understands what you do, because not all people do.  

Gymnastics

Apparently there was a memo that was sent out that I missed today.

According to some our second graders, it was act like a gymnast today.

See I come down the hallway right before dismissal and some of the second graders are getting their backpacks out of their cubbies... and there in the middle of the hallway is one of the boys attempting to do a cartwheel. Yep....

Oh and apparently today was International Coffee Day.... I guess I would know this but I don't drink coffee...

One of my high schoolers made my day. She works at McDonald's and she reminded me that they started serving breakfast all day yesterday. Egg McMuffins are one of the things she said they are selling all day. SCORE!!! She made my day!!! She thought I lost my mind... It's the small things.

Smiles on my face

There are several things that have put a smile on my face this week.

Yesterday morning one of my 10th graders rushes into my room at 8:55 (note that this is the time that first period starts)

Ms. D! I need your help!!! I have my paper for English paper due today and well I need it typed...

Me: The paper that is due right now?

Student: Yeah and well I have the first two paragraphs done and well then I got stuck.

Me: So, I'm not only typing your paper, I'm writing your paper that is now late.

Student: Yeah... well like I have it all in my head...

Me: So well.. I would love to help but I have to be in someone else's English class... I have 8th period...

Student: That would be perfect Ms. D!! I have study hall 8th period! I'll come back later!!

8th Period... we get the paper written through an act of God...

Thanks Ms. D!! You're awesome!! You said everything I wanted only better! I owe you!!

Me: How about half your grade?

Student: I can do that!



Students ask me how come I can understand and teach this math stuff so much better than their teachers...

I have a simple mind.
I'm re-learning the material myself - cause good lord it's been 20 years since I have seen ALG II let alone Geometry 
I'm on my second time in high school.