r-e-s-p-e-c-t

So I'm not sure if I intentionally or unintentionally failed to blog about my week last week, but it was eventful. Short version: 2 of my students (7th grade) are suspended out of school for 2 days (nothing that happened in my class), I took away my first cell phone from a student on Thursday and sent my first student to the office (they were one in the same), and on Friday I got so frustrated with my 5th hour class I found myself getting out the dictionary and defining the word 'respect.'

Yep, I'm THAT teacher. You'll thank me for it later, employers of the world.

BUT, it's a new week. We are all new people, starting over, clean slate. Today was overall a pretty good day. Aside from the staff meeting at the end of the day that lasted longer than it should have. That's what you get when your district implements a new grading system, tells the parents about it, and then 4 weeks into school the school district sends out a letter to teachers saying "We want you to be on board with the new policy and do your best to implement it, but if you want to work based on percentages this year that is fine."

Crazy letter=even more confused teachers. Crazy letter=very upset administrator at our school (who has been extremely gung-ho "implement the Standards Based Grading, 0-5, trend grading scale!!!!!!"). Crazy letter=ridiculous parents tomorrow night at Curriculum night who will have NO IDEA WHAT TO THINK!

Oh my, I just can't wait to answer (or try to) all of their incessant questions.

And who can blame them for having non stop questions? They are hearing 3 different things from the district. I (and the rest of the staff) are being told 3 different things by the district.

Teaching's fun!!!!!

You can choose to read that sarcastically, and it was said in that way. But as much as I have those moments-- I do love it. Even though TIME Magazine just published an entire issue about why public schools in America are failing because they have bad teachers (Hey! That's me!! woo hoo! Thanks, TIME). Even though my students say "What the hell?" to me under their breath when they think I can't hear it. Even though I plan what I think to be an awesome lesson and it only works in 2 out of 3 classes because I have one class full of shitheads. Even though I know that good parenting, while it might not solve all of the my problems, is the real answer to students arriving in 7th grade with more RESPECT for authority---despite all of that---

It is always my fault. If my students fail? My fault. If I can't effectively differentiate because I have a class full of shitheads who ruin it for everyone? My fault.

But hey, I love it. What does the Statue of Liberty say? "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Sure, most of these kids don't understand the fact that a solid educations is their chance to "breathe free," and they are just in school because they don't have a choice. But I know that an education is their chance to "breathe free" and change what is currently their sad destiny. Teachers may not succeed in doing that for everyone, but it is the few that you do succeed with that count, right?

So, please...bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...and the wretched refuse. I'd love to. And I'd love to grade their work based on trends. And I'd love to force them to read the Declaration of Independence out of a textbook which some former student has so cleverly written "He's Sexy" next to a picture of good 'ol Tommy Jefferson.

Yes, dear 8th grader. T. Jeff knew how to pick up the women---he was particularly fond of slaves. But we'll leave that for another day....on to Independence.

Today in Team Plan, our Team Leader (the science teacher) said that when in doubt we could blame him---he is white, Republican, and Catholic--- said he was used to it.

Always nice to start your day off with a good laugh.

Wednesday my CT and I have to cover a 3rd hour Chinese language class for the teacher. Any fresh ideas of interesting phrases to teach the students so they can surprise their teacher on Thursday are appreciated. (This is aimed at a very small audience, obviously).

Happy Monday!