teachergirl

Teacher of the Year 2011-2012

2011-04-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

No kidding. Thankyouverymuch.

Spring Break, Part 2

2011-04-04T08:22:00.003-04:00

Love, love, love the quiet little break that doesn't require packing and much movement at all. The beach will be there in 7 weeks, so I am not interested in fighting the teenagers who are cramming into every nook and cranny along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The morons who plan our calendar decided last year that we should come back from Spring Break and take the Big State Test. You read that right - we go back next Monday and start testing Tuesday. I can't explain it, I just have to deal with it. I start knitting class tonight. So excited!! My sister is a great knitter and can knock out lovely baby sweaters - I am hoping to get going really well and then knit a pair of socks. That's my goal. I've made a hat for myself in the past, but socks? Well, they just look hard. And what great Christmas presents! ( And yes, I am thinking about Christmas presents because the morons who plan our calendar have decided that we will be in school until the afternoon of December 23rd. And I have promised to take grades every day that week - if I have to be there, you'd better be there, too. And, no, thankyouverymuch, you aren't going to be able to make them up.) Farmer's Market Saturday was extraordinary! Green beans, beets, squash! Even a few Florida tomatoes. Dinner tonight will be a delish chicken pot pie made by the local pie maker along with some tasty veggies on the side. The Plains were beautiful this weekend. Saw Prep and had a great day with her. We're going to see her two more times - A Day and Easter - and then she'll be home for good on Mother's Day weekend. One more change to get used to!

Spring Break, Part I

2011-03-07T14:44:00.002-05:00

BrownBear's school has an early Spring Break and, true to my word, I packed her and her little friend up in the Envoy and raced them to the beach! It's a little chilly here today, but tomorrow, when we head to DISNEY WORLD (best mother in the world!!), it's going to be 80 degrees and sunny!!!!!!!! And, Thursday will be my birthday!! What a wonderful week - but the hardest part was preparing to be away - I left plans that must have resembled Eisenhower's before the D-Day invasion.

And Spring Break, part 2? First full week of April.

Can't wait.

Winter Break

2011-02-24T07:11:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus. Had Christmas and a blizzard that shut down the city. (Glorious - got more laundry done than I have ever done in my entire life.)

In the midst of watching the infighting with a new school board - over the school calendar. Can't wait to see these morons when they have to choose a new superintendent and work out the budget without riffing teachers - and as conservative as I am - go Wisconsin school teachers!!

My class this year is a prize. They are fantastic - only a few offenders - nothing like the crazy that was last year.

I'll be back soon with more.

Christmas Krazy

2010-12-05T19:23:00.003-05:00

As I sit here contemplating the next TEN school days, I realize I haven't told you latest from Krazy Mom.

Our school counselors do a great job identifying families in our school who need assistance at Christmas. They put up an Angel Tree with requests from the families - you can take a die cut angel and get a present (I picked one for a little boy who wants a book for Christmas. A.Book. Broke my heart and made me realize how much we have, how little we need and what we take for granted.) for someone in the family. The counselors have also put requests up for gift cards from Target, Wal-Mart and Publix. They give each family a certain number of these gift cards so they can buy whatever else they need or want.

I forwarded the counselors' email to all the families in my classroom and about ten minutes later, Krazy Mom dropped me a few lines and copied the counselors.

Basically, Krazy said that we shouldn't be giving gift cards to these families because they can sell them and use the money for drugs and alcohol.

And, are you ready? She said we needed to make certain that all of the recipients of these things were not illegal aliens.

If she'd looked around, she might have noticed that our school population doesn't really tend to run in that direction.

For once, I am totally speechless. What you hear is my mouth, totally open, flapping in the wind.

Thank Goodness for Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T15:21:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving Vacay started Friday afternoon at 2:21. Big party Friday night; HP Sunday matinee.

Girls home.

Reindeer at the Home Depot.

Temps in the mid 70s.

Love it.

Another Episode in the Life

2010-11-06T09:18:00.004-04:00

My class is reading The Sign of the Beaver. One of my favorite books because it just reminds me of Thanksgiving - set in Maine territory in 1768, it details the friendship between a 12 year old Massachusetts boy left to keep watch on his family's land and cabin and a Native American of the same age. And trust me, I am all about Thanksgiving this time of year. Don't mention Christmas until we have put away the Thanksgiving meal. Just too many things we can teach if we don't rush head long into Christmas. (I digress, but this is another one of my soapboxes. Let me get started on the school calendar.)

Yesterday, after we had practiced summarizing, one of my Indian students asked a question. "The Indian in this story - is he a real Indian or a red Indian?"

An episode like this makes me miss having another adult to share times like this with.

"A Native American, my friend. A Native American."

War Damn Eagle, Baby!

2010-10-23T10:41:00.002-04:00

Thrilled to report that Prep is having the time of her life at the best place in the world. Who knew that Auburn, Alabama, is akin to heaven? Who?Knew?

When she said that she had always wanted to go to Auburn, I had to look around to see who she was talking to. You see, I had never heard the words Auburn University come out of her mouth. Everyone (EVERYONE) at her high school applies to Auburn and 99% of them get in. Then the waiting game starts - who's getting into Georgia and Georgia Tech? Because 97% of them are waiting for those letters.

Not our Prep! When she decided early on that Ole Miss wasn't for her (and you don't know how confused I was over that decision) , she set her sights on Auburn and hasn't looked back. She left a warm cocoon of 140 kids in her graduating class to a huge SEC school with approximately 87,000 people on campus. She successfully manuevered through rush (I'm sorry. Sorority Recruitment) and pledged one of her first choices. (And her sorority has over 200 members.) She has classes, friends, exercise class, and fraternity parties to go to. On Game Day, there is one hell of a party.

This time, last year, I had no idea what the future would hold. Now, I have a daughter who has found another home. And as sad as that sounds, it is perfectly all right.

The View from Here

2010-10-09T16:41:00.003-04:00

The crud going around school finally grabbed me Wednesday and wouldn't turn loose. My nose was running and my eyes were watering so hard, I couldn't write names on conference notes. I could barely give Thursday's ITBS and my AP told me to go home and stay. (When does that ever happen?) I even went to the doctor, got some free drugs (the best kind!) and a doctor's note. HR said that we are only allowed 7 unexcused sick days - we assume they mean the kind of sick day when you wake up and say "I'm sick of work." Not getting caught in that drama, so I got a note, a day to lie around and rest and then both sweet girls show up Friday afternoon. (BrownBear had been on an overnight service field trip and Prep, well, Prep's a college girl.) The sad thing about having a free Thursday night was my total inability to really enjoy it.

Now that I'm able to sit up and think, I have come to realize that the first nine weeks is over; Thanksgiving is six weeks away and all I have to do is get through conference week. Not rocket science, but tedious - we still have to do our report cards by hand. Really? Maybe that should be a consideration for the next superintendent -

Target

2010-09-22T13:03:00.003-04:00

I remember those days when I would throw a baby in the Target buggy and roam mindlessly around, just to get out of the house and pretend like I was doing something.
Today, during my precious Fall Break, I had to pop into Target. Mothers and children in buggies were doing what I had done in the past. However, I overheard a conversation not meant for the ears of young children and not for me, either.

"When was the last time we made passionate love together? When was the last time you held me in your arms? When was the last time we just tickled each other in bed? I am a human being and I need to be held."

I looked around to see what soap opera was being played out THREE aisles over. Some woman (and I use the phrase loosely) was on her cellphone and the reception must have been terrible. Because she was shouting this conversation to her significant other.

I stalked her for a few moments, unable to believe the conversation she was so nonchallantly having in the middle of the Target while on her cellphone.

I am still astounded. Who walks around and let's all this dirty laundry hang out in public?

News From the Front

2010-09-21T08:27:00.003-04:00

Weeks go by without a word from TG; usually that means trouble with a capital T. This time, however, it means that things are moving along rather sweetly. I must tell you that our pay cut and furlough days are beginning to show up in the paycheck. My personal finances are a shambles, but I suspect that part of it is due to Prep being in college and BrownBear being a high school girl.

My class of 29 has been reduced by one - one of my best students has moved to New Hampshire. Not great, but good for her dad who got a better job.
I have a few students who are still dragging their feet - but on the whole, my crew does what I ask without too much grumbling.
The superintendent is leaving after this school year. Some are speculating that he won't' make it to January.
The best thing we did as a school district is give everyone a fall break. Which I am enjoying as I write. Everyone needs to calm down - this calendar gives me hope that I won't break before I get a break. I can see Thanksgiving from my house.

That's A Day I'll Never Get Back

2010-08-24T17:27:00.006-04:00

Bullying training, today. Or, better yet, training to prevent bullying. My ADD kicked in about 2 1/2 hours after workshop commenced. Actually, I was on a row with three others who had lost consciousness. Because, seriously, I CAN'T sit still that long and have a meaningful experience. Oh, and we had another 4 hours to go.

I've already figured out who the problem is going to be this year. The child is a little awkward - but if you knew her mother, you'd understand why. The mother checks her child out of school every Wednesday early to go to her psychiatrist/psychologist appointment. She has the child on Prozac and Concerta. And this mom can't help but complain and gripe about everything. Timed math tests for her ADD child. How her child was bullied, beaten and picked on at her last school. How I have handed out an outdated reading assignment on passports - when I did so to prove a point about trusting sources - she emails me the State Department regulations on travel. WTF? I know what I'm doing, so stop second guessing me. (I can't imagine what she would have done if she had read that Hong Kong was still independent like it said in a Social Studies textbook I had to teach from for years.)

She has also loudly and publically stated that her ex-husband abused this child several years ago, but the daughter still has five hours of unsupervised visitation with this man.

Excuse me, but this woman is the definition of crazy. If I believed for one second that someone had abused my daughter, you can believe that she wouldn't be visiting him five hours a week. Unsupervised.

Still, I'm not going to let this woman bother me. I know what I'm doing. She doesn't.

Bonjour!

2010-08-23T20:09:00.002-04:00

I think it's going to be really hard having a student who only speaks French with a smattering of Spanish. I tried to find out her address today to tell the bus driver. I resorted to " donde esta la casa?" To which she replied something in FRENCH!!! Not that my Spanish would have been any better than my French, but WTF (why the face!!)? Who sends their kid to school in a foreign land (okay, Canada, you're not that foreign, but someone forgot to tell this kid) without making sure she knows her address and phone number IN THAT LANGUAGE?!!

I waited for a good hour after school and no one called looking for her. I take that as a good sign.

I have some really motivated, smart Indian girls who have taken her under their wing. These girls had to learn English as their second language, so I have some hope that they will do her some good.

Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome!! What a year.

Weekend Update

2010-08-22T19:14:00.004-04:00

So many things I could write about:

my 29th student shows up tomorrow. She only speaks French.
We've been in class for twelve days so far.
I think PrincipalLady is trying to make it so we fail this year. She has dumpped so many things on the table, I can scarcely breathe.
However, I have decided to have a personal life this year, so I will not take home crap. Won't check my school email after school and weekends.
I will hang out with BrownBear. (My new high school freshman!!)
I won't be a helicopter mother with Prep - my new college freshman!!!
So, as bad as life could be, I'm not going to let it be. I miss my girl, but I know she's happy and having the time of her life. I am not going to waste the next four years with BrownBear because I am all too familiar with what is going to happen. I am going to make this a great school year. I am just going to will it.

A New Phase Begins

2010-08-07T22:39:00.004-04:00

Dropped Prep off at her new dorm room.

All is well except for the crazy with a capital K that is her roommate's mother. It was as if Roommate's mom was moving into the room and not the Roommate, herself. I was pretty calm, but this crazy (I'm sorry) KRAZY lunatic was decorating within an inch of her life. Prep is going to have to live in her dormroom, not me, so I decided to hang back and let her take care of business. Not Krazy. And, I think she took Prep's lofted dorm bed that we paid $260 for. Let me get that situation figured out - I hope, hope, she didn't take it. Hell hath no fury like the fury I will unleash upon her.

But otherwise, it was an entirely pleasant day. Sort of. Can't believe she's gone, but she is in her element. I can't be anything but happy for her. She and the 24 pairs of shoes she took with her.

Oh, yeah. School started two days ago.

Nothing but sheer madness around here.

Sunday Summary

2010-07-25T08:08:00.004-04:00

Teachers report for pre-planning Thursday. You read that right: Thursday.
Students report for the first day of school the following Thursday. You read that right, too.
Only saving grace: Fall Break near the end of September. The way I figure it, I can do anything for 9 weeks.
Cancun was FABULOUS!!!! All inclusive is the only way to go. The people at the resort were concerned with my happiness and well-being and whether or not I needed another drink. (I did.)
Two weeks from today, Prep will be waking up in her own dorm room in Auburn. I get a little more devestated every day - and am proud of her independence at the same time.
Two weeks from today, BrownBear will be waking up as the only child in the domicile. She is more worried about that than just about anything else.
Primary elections last week kicked some serious behind. Can't wait until November - our district's school board rep is in for a rude awakening.
Back to the choir loft this morning.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

2010-05-31T08:07:00.004-04:00

Mercifully, this school year has come to a close. I stopped writing about it because of how atrocious the parents and children had become - well, one particular parent and child. It all started with an email I received from a mother who basically said that I was picking on her son and taking the side of (and I quote) all the "colored boys. I think she was calling me a racist, but we share the same race.

Her son was one of those problem students - I could never catch him doing anything, but he was always the one getting the finger pointed at him. He was sneaky and mean. He was a bad seed. And with that email, I figured out how and why.

Our favorite custodian had to speak to badseed at lunch shortly thereafter and all hell broke loose. Our favorite custodian is African-American.

His mother then sent a KRAZY email to my favorite superintendent. (I'm all about emailing the superintendent - just keep my name out of it.) With that, local administrators leapt into action. There was a meeting with the parents and me and the guidance counselor, and the principals. I kept notes because that was the only way I could keep quiet. These parents (and their child) were angry not only over some clashes that this student instigated with students of other races, but they launched into a diatribe over standards which required that we teach the origins of slavery, the Civil War (we apparently teach it biased, down here in the South), the civil rights movement. They criticized our music teacher and her program of "biased" music. They went on and on until they finally, finally, ran out of steam.

I can't convey the venom they released. Their hateful diatribe would have been funny if it hadn't been their honest feelings.

We had to implement a plan to make certain that this student was "having a good day." Thumbs up/thumbs down. Seriously. "Honey, are you feeling all right today? Are any of the big, bad "minority" students that you have incited picking on you?" Silver lining: one day, I heard the music teacher blasting some country tunes in her room. Of course, it was for our special problem child.

I had a crappy year. Dealing with this kid and then the disaster that was springtime summer school was horrible.

Someone wanted to know if we were sad to see our class leave. I've never been happier to see a group of kids hit the road.

Oh Yes She Did !!!

2010-05-22T20:15:00.003-04:00

Prep, with diploma and Bible handed out at graduation. I've never been more proud.

Graduation Weekend!!

2010-05-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

Contracts have come and the powers that be have granted me another year.
We lost 9 teachers in our building alone.
Prep marches tomorrow - I've watched Closing Chapel, been to Senior Supper and have been to Communion with the Senior class. I am utterly exhausted and emotionally drained - tomorrow, well, I hope I make it through tomorrow.
Five more school days for me - four, because I'm not going Monday!!

And Then There Were...

2010-05-08T21:45:00.002-04:00

Can I get an AMEN? This atrocious year will finally be over. We'll know this coming Friday whether or not we'll have a job next year. The Friday before Prep graduates. I am so conflicted. But all I can say is WARDAMNEAGLE!!!

Tales Out of School (Thanks, Pat Welsh!)

2010-04-22T18:26:00.002-04:00

Divided up the darlings for "Springtime Summer School." I can tell you right now - this isn't going to work. The 16 kids who were picked think they are in prison - and they are. Two hours of math and two hours of reading remediation because the county couldn't figure out finances for summer school. And I was involved in picking the kids we thought might not pass the Super Big State Test. Somebody's going to get sued.
Got an email from the head douche telling us which order he's going to fire us in because the county couldn't figure out finances and he's $137 million in the red next year. Right now, they are looking to get rid of about 580 teachers in the district. The half time people and limited contract people found out in a mass email that their services weren't going to be needed next year. Oh, yeah - the Board changed the RIF policy LAST WEEK. To make it easier to get rid of us.
My second student teacher will be leaving me after tomorrow. Damn. I hate when they leave.
Can summer be far away? Is that Cancun calling me? You bet.

Downhill Slide

2010-04-12T20:57:00.001-04:00

Read 'em and weep - 29 school days and counting. They can't end this stupid year any faster.

And for the record, Tiger, bless your heart, you are a big, whining, self-absorbed jerk. Not one word about our hospitality, our ability to protect you from a lot of crap, and the field of players who kicked your butt. Phil Mickelson had real problems to overcome this year, not self inflicted ones like you did, you little piss-ant.

From what I heard, they really weren't cheering you on like the press corps would have us believe. Polite clapping from the gallery - the real cheers were for Phil, Lee Westwood, Freddy Couples and K.J. Choi.

Good luck next week. I'm sure Charlotte won't be as kind.

Spring Break!

2010-04-03T18:29:00.004-04:00

Thank you, John Deere Mom!! April, indeed!! With April, however, comes a multitude of worries, including prom, super big state test, springtime summer school and impending graduation for Prep.

We took care of Prom today by buying the dress and shoes.

SuperBig State Test will just have to take care of itself. I can't do anymore. We start it two (yes, two) days after we get back from break.

Springtime summerschool is going to be a freaking disaster. Done deal. I'm not the Wizard of Oz and I can't tell you who's going to fail before they do. Let alone prep them for a test they might not need to take. But this is coming from a central office lead by a moron who sent out a video on the school intranet in which he basically said to all of us, "You've done a great job, have a great spring break, oh and by the way, we're going to have to fire a bunch of you." Well, screw you, too, dumb a$$.

Graduation week is more like a coronation. When Prep's class gets finished, they should each rule a small country. I'm going to need at least three different outfits for all the places I need to go that week. I'm excited for her, but sad for me. I can't believe how quickly it has all gone and now she's off to Auburn.

War Eagle!

March On!

2010-03-29T17:52:00.004-04:00

Will it ever end? March, that is? This year? Oh my word. I figured out, however, how I managed to get through this awful month last year, though. Went on the South Carolina roadtrip - and am proud to say that Prep isn't going to any of the schools we traipsed through last year. But, it was fun!!

So, the first thing in getting through March next year is to take BrownBear on Spring Break. (If I have a job next year.) Even if it means taking it without pay - I don't care. I have to do something to break up this month.

The fifth graders are terrifying this year. I've been teaching on and off since 1986. That year, I was very, very young and I was teaching 9th graders who were 16 and 17 and some of them were pregnant. You can imagine how effective I was.

This year has been worse. The unpreparedness, the lack of respect, the wholescale refusal to do any work on their part - 3/4ths of them are miserable.

But, wait. Is that the tropical breeze of Cancun calling my name? I believe so. June isn't so far away at all.

Baffled by the Bull

2010-03-21T08:31:00.004-04:00

Haven't written because of the amount of bull swirling about my head. I am planning for what we are sarcastically referring to as "springtime summer school" and am dealing with the a skinhead family who is causing strife in our grade as well as the picking and name calling that occasionally goes on with 5th graders. (Or maybe not... I've got one throwing around the f bomb.)

This "springtime summer school" has arisen because the county has decided not to pay for summer school for the kids who do not pass the super big state test. We have to decide BEFORE test results come back who HASN'T passed the test and begin prepping them for the re-test, which will be given before school is over for the year. Do I look like the Wizard of Oz? We had to tell parents before we have even given the test that we think their kid is going to fail and we are going to prep them before results come back for a retest that they might not even have to take.

Is anyone in the central office using his brain for anything besides a seat cushion?

Spring Break???

2010-03-06T07:29:00.004-05:00

My daughters started Spring Break yesterday. Prep is going to the beach (have you seen the weather reports down there) this morning, while poor BrownBear has to make the best of it here. But as I told her, ten days without school or homework at home is better than ten days at school with her schedule.

Since the wheels have come off the bus at school, we are in desperate need of a break. One of my teammates just said, "It's still third quarter?" Uh, yes, honey. It's still third quarter. The quarter that wouldn't end.

Way Too Early

2010-03-04T06:01:00.002-05:00

So sorry to have been away for so long, but so much, so much, has been going on that I haven't had time to write about it. Let me whet your appetite: racism in my classroom, more snow - early release and late starts, my arch enemy is going on the senior trip after graduation with me, state writing assessment, Weight Watchers, working out! Wow! I am rife with ideas and I have no time to write - see the time stamp? Got to run right now, too. I promise, I'll be back.

Furlough Day

2010-02-15T13:33:00.003-05:00

Nothing to post except this state sucks today. You can't balance the state budget on the backs of the teachers.

I always did enjoy being home with the girls, though. The pay was the same, but the appreciation of my employers was priceless.

Not so much with this group of nimrods.

Snow Jam Atlanta

2010-02-14T18:35:00.005-05:00

I thought about posting pictures of my front yard, but I thought you might find this more interesting. And it's supposed to snow more tonight!

The Ship Sank

2010-01-30T07:49:00.003-05:00

Elizabeth, my anonymous commenter, wanted to know why I continue in this chosen field if I'm so negative and I've been pondering that while we've been having conference week. So, as my teammates and I have been conferencing with the most difficult of the 5th graders and letting them and their parents know that they are heading toward doom, destruction and failure, I have been wondering why I keep doing this. (Best conference - some mama was upset because her son, who just came to us - who has failed third and fourth and fifth grade -this would be his second attempt at fifth - -wasn't allowed to leave the room at will to pee. Really, Mitchell? Really? I would have thought that your first cause of concern would have been about the fact that your 13 year old can't read or add. And that he's still in 5th grade.)

I have also been searching for another path - something to do that would be as fulfilling as this job once was before the President and the Governor and all types of legislators decided that they could tell me what and how - as if their professional judgment was somehow better than my 20 years in all different types of classrooms.

I've also been keeping my eye on a most troubled young man - one of the most troubled students I can say I have ever taught. Every day, someone in our school finds out something different about him and his three brothers in our school. They arrived at our school in early December because they had been thrown out of their apartment complex because the first grader and third or fourth grader had been vandalizing the place and gang fighting. (WTF? the first grader?) None of these boys is anywhere near grade level and heaven help my fifth grader, he appears to be helping to raise his younger brothers while his three older brothers are doing who knows what and his mama - a "professional singer" sleeps all day long. My student missed three days of school this week - couldn't get anyone to return a phone call for me - but word on the street was that he was in the hospital. When he returned on Thursday, he told me that he had an infection in his tooth and his jaw was swollen almost shut. Had to have antibiotics - and will need to have a root canal. Uh - holy mandated reporter call. Find the social worker - I can't imagine how much this hurt and how long it had bothered him before this infection blew up.

So, why do I do this? It goes like this: before BrownBear entered kindergarten, it came down to what was I going to do while both of them were in school. I was a school teacher before the girls were born. I had taught junior college part time and preschool part time after they were born, but now, they were both going to be gone for huge chunks of time. I could help my family by going back full time (and staying out of the Target), especially since LawyerBoy is self-employed and one thing teachers usually get is insurance. We'll see how that goes from now on.

I had some extremely conservative friends who were homeschoolers and they were appalled by my decision - first of all to even send my children to school (really? you should see how well adjusted their kids are now) and second that I would even consider going back to work myself. But what they didn't understand was how lucky our children have it - Prep and BrownBear have never wanted for our attention or for food or medical attention or material things. But my friends couldn't believe that there were children who went without - I guess - and that was one of my other reasons. Who would take care of the kids who didn't have anyone? I could make a dent - and that's the rub. Here we are, trying to make a difference and our difference doesn't matter to those people in charge.

I'm not trying to get rich trying to teach. I'm trying to keep my house heated, my children fed and clothed and keep my insurance.

What I need people in office to realize is that I am as much of a professional as they are. I care for the future of this country. I don't need you to tell me how to do my job or for you to balance your budget on my back.

And yesterday, the Superintendent - the one who took a $25,000 raise this past year, told us, after holding back our step increases and having us take a 2% decrease in our salaries - that we were going to be furloughed three days.

So, thanks for the vote of confidence. Thanks for that thumbs up. Thanks. While you might not be elected to office, your entire school board, especially the members whose heads are so far up your ass, they can't talk until you open your mouth, are up for re-election. We're gearing up to throw you out. And we're just starting with the school board. The legislature and the governor are next.

Chaos and Collapse

2010-01-21T18:29:00.005-05:00

Before I take my bitter self off to make dinner (see the last post - evidently, I'm scaring the anonymous commenters), I just had to let you in on the latest.

Apparently, members of our school board - and this is rich - their attorney - were called before the grand jury. The fun thing is, they didn't tell the rest of the school board about their little visit (which occurred in December, hohoho, Merry Christmas); those members found out yesterday with the rest of us when the story broke on the front page of the local paper. The grand jury cited the board for operating behind closed doors, taking votes illegally and carting off concerned parents who are speaking even though said parents aren't causing a disruption.

Whee! And we thought the wheels were coming off the bus because of the budget concerns and test scores. I'm guessing someone's going to be under the bus before long.

Budget Woes, Testing Dilemmas and Math Standards

2010-01-16T11:15:00.005-05:00

The governor released the budget yesterday and I've got a headache today. He thinks we need three more furlough days before June. He thinks wrong. We're already cancelling summer school. We're already doing more this year than we've ever done and expected to stay later and later and meet on non-meeting days with no compensation.

We also got a memo from the governor discussing legislation concerning The Race to the Top and merit pay - where half of our salary would come from student gains. Uh, really Sonny? Have you met these rascals I teach? They don't care if they write down a spelling assignment. I'm not tying my house payment and groceries to these incompentent rugrats.

While non-teachers think we've got it made, they've never dealt with the stress of getting these kids ready for a state test. And seriously, that is ALL education in this state has come down to - getting them ready to pass a test. (Remember that cheating scandal? The judge who sentenced one of them said he didn't agree with what had been done, but he understood the stress teachers and administrators found themselves under during testing.)

The passing score is only an 800 but this score is meaningless. Parents think that Johnny gets an 800 and all is right with the world when, in fact, Johnny makes an 800 and he's only mastered 40% of what he needs to know to go on to the next grade. What rattles my world is the fact that schools let everybody pass, no matter what the test score until they get to 5th grade and THEN they get KRAZY about their scores. I've got kids who failed the state test in math in 3rd and 4th grade and now we're expected to get them ready to pass the 5th grade test.

A few years ago, people complained that the state standards were a mile wide and an inch deep. Now, they're a mile wide and a mile deep. I have to teach 153 standards in math alone. Got that? I'm talking technology, fractions, geometry, data, decimals, and number sense. Yet I still have students counting on their damned fingers to add. Are you kidding me?

We were able to put a man on the moon in 1969 when I was starting 4th grade. That year, I learned my multiplication tables. I was not on the fast track to all this other stuff - I was able to learn (LEARN) these vital facts until they became a part of my being. Then we learned how to do multiplication problems. Then we learned division. And how to do long division.

We spent six months on fractions. And decimals.

In order to survive higher level math, students need to master - MASTER - everything about fractions and decimals. If you can't find an equivalent fraction or add decimals properly, you don't need to be finding the circumference of a circle when you're 10. There's no need for it.

When we put Neil Armstrong on the moon, we did it with guys who had mastered math like I did and they managed to do those higher level calculations with freaking slide rules.

We have overloaded and overwhelmed these kids with so much, they don't have a chance to master anything. Granted, there are always kids who get it and need to go on. But, there are so many kids who don't have any number sense that I am constantly banging my head against the wall, trying to fill in their gaps. And the gaps are pothole wide.

We have screwed over education so badly in this state and in this country, the ramifications are going to be devestating. The high school math in this district is senseless. People ask why my daughters go to private school while I teach in the public school. While the mess in discipline at the middle and high school was one issue, I also point to high school math in my district. My daughters are math geniuses (okay, maybe not geniuses, but they are girls and pretty damned great) and I was not about to let some idiots in the county mess up their futures. The spiral crap in high school math they teach confounds the best teachers.

How about we try something and see how it goes for a decade or so? We never see if something works for more than a year or two in this district? My school has decided to push Larry Bell's words this year. WTF? Who is Larry Bell and why does his take on test verbs really matter? Oh - wait. Next year, it won't. Sorry.

I have digressed, but I think I've made my point. The ship is sinking and no one is coming to the rescue.

Sick Bay

2010-01-11T21:52:00.005-05:00

Cardinal rule in Teachergirl's room: if you are sick, HIT THE ROAD. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. The restroom is ONE door down from my classroom. Go for it. We will sort out any misunderstandings later.

I don't do sick - not even my OWN children's sick - so do not expect me to be all mommy/nurse there for you. It makes me gag just to think about it.

Because of the swine flu, I have sent students to the nurse without so much as a second glance. If you think you feel bad, you have my blessing. Go forth and be healed.

Today, one of my students asked to go to the nurse. I didn't hesitate - go, my dear. I may be getting played, but I'm not one to take a chance. The nurse sent her back and I just told her to have a seat and I continued on with math. Not ten minutes later, the sweet girl is throwing up into her hands and running TOWARD my desk. Holy vomitorium, Batman, run out of the classroom, not farther into it!!!!!! Thank goodness, a trash can was right in front of my desk, because if she had barfed ON my desk, full of lesson plans, report cards and a ton of my own junk, I would have fainted. And trust me, I nearly did when I saw what was going on.

The worst of it was the custodian tried to give me my trash can back.

I think I can do without this one.

Hell Has Frozen Over

2010-01-08T08:19:00.003-05:00

As I listened to the weather reports about the impending gloom and doom heading our way, I expected nothing but a flirtation with this snow coming our way. So, yesterday afternoon, as I headed to my favorite bakery for its "Snow Day Special" (soup, rolls and pie!! yummy) and the flakes were coming down, I was pleased, but wasn't expecting a snow day. That's not how my district rolls. Suck it in, figure it out, get those kids on the bus - coats and wind chill or not. And if the superintendent does call it, he usually does so at about 5AM - worthless in my opinion.

However, there has been a miracle here in the South. I am home this fine day because of snow AND Alabama is the National Champion!! Roll Tide- we mess with Texas.

Even though hell has frozen over, it's going to be a good day.

The Downhill Slide to Summer

2010-01-04T19:05:00.003-05:00

A girl can dream, right? Summer, pools, sandy beaches...all the while, we are in the deep freeze - the high today was about 32 degrees in our lovely metropolis.

Back to school today - and back to school nonsense. Today's inservice, you ask? Singapore Math. As if United States Math wasn't bad enough. This is a system of drawing models to help students figure out word problems. If you follow the steps, you will eventually get an answer. Now, the only problem with this problem solving method is the amount of time needed to implement - another fifteen minutes per day - and the fact that you DO need to be able to do math once you get the picture/model drawing correct.

On another note, our superintendent sent the annual school climate survey to the teachers today. Is the man on crack? I love how he thinks that Christmas vacation smooths things over. Just another day in paradise.

The Last Day of Vacation

2010-01-03T07:58:00.002-05:00

Sundays are never, for me anyway, any kind of a vacation day.

It has to do with the death march of choir and Sunday School and the awful hour at which they occur. And the fact that LB's parents always lunch with us after church.

We do not get home from said obligations until after 2PM. While I shouldn't complain about honoring the Lord, I would like it to occur at a reasonable hour like my Catholic brethren. I walked into the Starbucks to grab a quick cup of coffee before starting my Sunday vigil. One of my friends was there with his family - already finished with Mass and enjoying some coffee, looking forward to the day. I was more than envious.

Today, however, is more than an average Sunday. In addition to being the last day of Christmas vacation for me it is also the evening of the Mistletoe Ball. Seniors are going to the Christmas formal tonight. You would think this wouldn't have much to do with me - but how wrong would you be? In addition to having a daughter getting ready for her last Christmas formal, I also have to go to the annual Picture Party this evening and mingle for an entire hour (AN HOUR) with my camera, ready to take pictures of any adorable moment my oldest daughter might be engaged in.

She has asked Brown Bear to come along with her camera in case Lawyer Boy and I can't handle it.

So, yesterday was a marathon in readying myself for school on Monday. Not ready at all. Won't be ready today and won't be ready tomorrow. We were told that report cards had to go home on the 8th three days before Christmas vacation. Unexpected and ridiculous in my district because elementary report cards are done by hand.

Yes, you read that correctly! In the 21st century, I am doing report cards by hand. Without a computer program to average grades provided by the county. I bought into a service, but teachers who don't opt to do this average grades on a calculator.

Ninety days, people. I'm looking for a new job. Any suggestions?

A Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T08:23:00.002-05:00

As vacation winds down, I am looking forward to the future - sort of. At least there are only 90 more days with these rugrats!
But, as happy as I'll be to be done with this year, I am filled with trepidation - Prep is going to graduate in May and I am sure this semester will fly by!
So, Happy New Year and hang on. It's going to be a ride, to say the least. Rough, rocky; whatever.

Merry Christmas to All!

2009-12-25T08:32:00.002-05:00

Just remember: your great Christmas happens because someone made it happen. Thank someone today! And put the baby Jesus in the manger. Because, really, He made it happen in the first place.

Do You Hear What I Hear? Part Two

2009-12-19T07:47:00.004-05:00

Not the collective sigh of relief that permeated the district yesterday as the cherubs - full of holiday cheer and cupcake sugar - boarded different modes of transportation and got the hell out of dodge - but the gasp of shock and outright outrage at the superintendent of our district who had sent us an email prohibiting us from speaking with a certain reporter from our local newspaper. Right before he, and the board of education, sent us holiday greetings telling us how wonderful we were. Delete.

This reporter has been at odds with the superintendent and the board forever, as has the local paper. I've had the opportunity to speak with him about our paycut and our step freeze - and I have found it refreshing to have someone on our side. For heaven's sake, the legislative representives for our district, at a meeting this week honoring the local bodies of education, told our board that they had a huge number of outstanding teachers, but that got lost because the board was "out of control" and had an agenda all its own. Pow.

I have no idea what caused this action on the part of the superintendent - something happened at the board meeting and the superintendent sent out this email.

After I checked my pocket copy of the Constitution and the attorney I sleep with, I am pretty certain I don't get told by my employers who to talk to. I am sure someone's going to get fired, but in the long run, that someone is going to prevail. BIG time. And I want to watch as the superintendent and the board have to eat it.

That might be the best Christmas present of all.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2009-12-14T06:11:00.003-05:00

Down hill slide to Christmas vacation.
Thank goodness.
I hate the last day before vacation starts. I hate the party day. Hate.It.
Last night was the Christmas cantata - of course, Choir Guy had to be sarcastic and condescending on rehearsal night, but this year, some folks stood up and said that we got it, and we'd be there for the program and it would be phenomenal. And guess what? It was!
I'm taking the day today! I had planned on being sick, but now, I think I have to go to a funeral.
Great.
I still have tons of things to do that I didn't get to yesterday because I was at church. (see above.)
Let's get this week started, so we can get the worst part of it over.

Do You See What I See?

2009-12-06T18:27:00.004-05:00

My Christmas tree is ten feet tall. I can't think about anything else, right now, because, well, I'm being dwarfed by a huge (HUGE) tree. Seriously. I have to climb on a real ladder to hang ornaments.

I was coerced by a sentimental high school Varsity cheerleader senior girl, whose football team lost in the semifinals on Friday night, and her younger sister, that the only thing they really wanted for Christmas was a ginormous tree. So, here we sit, by a tree covered in 900 lights that really could use some more.

Next year, we are getting a bonsai tree.

Gird Your Loins

2009-11-29T16:55:00.002-05:00

Week long Thanksgiving vacation just makes me antsy for Christmas break.
Principals have to have walk-throughs started and completed for the semester in the next three weeks. (Are you kidding me? They always do this stupid crap in the month of December.)
Our lesson plans have been re-invented so many times, I just don't know what is up anymore.
Our students are taking benchmark tests next Friday. I'm nowhere near finished with the curriculum, but we're going to test them anyway. Because the county says so.
Our boys made it to semifinals: Prep is thrilled! The game was almost six hours away Friday night - so close to Jacksonville that you could see the airport if you stood up on the top of the stadium seats. My dad went to the game and kept calling us here with updates. He had a great time - Prep said he sat right in front of the cheerleaders, but the game was so exciting, he nearly forgot to watch her and stood up and watched the football game instead.
One of the boys in the upper school died Saturday night. He had Ewing sarcoma and had suffered for several years. This has really hit me hard - I don't know why - but this boy was the baby of his family and I keep looking around at BrownBear and wondering what I would have done if this had been her. He was a 10th grader. Just keep him and his parents and his big sister in your prayers. And the entire upper school. Tomorrow is gong to be a tough day at school.
Fifteen school days until I can return to this perch on the couch.

Hell To the No, Katie

2009-11-24T17:05:00.003-05:00

Thanks, Cupcake, for posting this. I'm looking for the link to the Walter Cronkite celebration party when he was named anchor to the CBS Evening News. I'll bet he could pop, drop and lock it with the best of them. Stay tuned.

Merry ThanksNewYear!!

2009-11-19T20:27:00.003-05:00

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving. We're about to pop:

I've revised my lesson plan book for the third (or is it the fourth?) time
I've got a parent who is ready to jump down my throat because I didn't recommend her son for the gifted program. I didn't rate his motivation or creativity high enough to make the grade - like I'm going to give those high marks to someone who doesn't write down assignments unless I personally tell him to, who doesn't turn in work unless I personally tell him to, who won't sit still, won't pay attention, dances in his seat, talks in my line, and hasn't got a creative bone in his body. The gifted program? You've got to be kidding.
I've got a Varsity cheerleader who is cheering for a football team that is in the Sweet Sixteen. She would love for them to go to State. I want what makes her happy.
We just finished her Senior Page. In.The.Nick.Of.Time.
My 8th grader just bought footie pajamas.
I need to sleep for days, but my Dad is coming on Monday, for a holiday I haven't cleaned or planned for.

WHEE!!! Let the holidays begin.

A Healthier Me

2009-11-07T14:54:00.002-05:00

How much fiber can a person eat in a day before she explodes? I've decided to try and eat a little healthier and have purchased some Fiber One yogurt and poptarts. I figure if I can have a poptart, I'm good. Reminds me of my childhood. However, I am afraid that my colon won't recognize me if I continue this path of salad, fruit and fiber.

I'll let you know if something happens.

The Week That Kicked My Behind (Part 12)

2009-10-24T08:12:00.003-04:00

Because, really, isn't every week kicking my butt? This week, however, was particularly crazy because we got back from the western tour of colleges late Monday night and LawyerBoy and I had a full Tuesday. Not so much Prep and BrownBear, who had Tuesday as the second day of Fall Break.

First, I love (LOVE) Ole Miss. What's not to love? It's the mother ship calling me home. The college, the square, the shops, the BOOKSTORE(!!), the whole preppiness of the thing. Put on your pearls and call it a day. A true college town. Prep and her friend were so excited to be getting handed off on that Friday night, that she forgot to turn around and ask for cash. LB and I headed to Memphis - I took the wheel and took off. Twenty five miles outside of Memphis, I blew a tire. Middle of the night. Eventually, LB had to ask, "Can't you ever take a college trip without blowing one of these tires?" Well, apparently not.

Memphis is an interesting place. I drank more there than I have in years. I watched ducks waddle around a hotel lobby. Graceland disappointed me more than I can say. Barbecue in Memphis is fantastic.

Next stop, University of Alabama. This is the first school that accepted Prep. This is the school that Joe Namath quarterbacked for. We were both excited.

As soon as we rolled into 'Bama, she looked around and said, "Not so much." Not so much? Did I mention that the greatest quarterback in modern time roamed this campus? Not so much? Damn.

On to Auburn. Which she liked. A lot. Not as much as Ole Miss, but she is worried about the distance and the route. (Did I mention there is no direct, interstate route from Atlanta to Oxford, Mississippi? You should have been there for that conversation in Birmingham.) So, our thousand mile road trip could have been taken care of in an afternoon - at least I think it could have. It could have today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

And there's still a few more options on the table.

Road Trip, People.

2009-10-19T11:08:00.003-04:00

Not in this order because I'm better than this. Sort of. And believe me, I'm exhausted.

More Rumblings Heard 'Round the Building

2009-10-09T17:42:00.003-04:00

We had a flood around these parts not long ago, and this is what happened to one of our schools. Conditions were so bad, people couldn't get out of their neighborhoods. Homes were destroyed, roads washed away, electricity was out for days.

School was cancelled on the Tuesday after this disaster - take a good look at this building, people. It didn't take long for the flood waters to fill this place up. Teachers lost everything. Knowing me, I would have lost my damned car keys. However, being one of the lucky ones, I didn't teach in this building.
The Wednesday after this disaster, we were called in for a teacher workday. Mind you, roads were still out, people were still homeless and there were still those who had no power. But, "if conditions warrant safe travel, get your smarmy selves to work." Well, thanks Superintendent Dumbass, who took that raise and then decided to decrease our salaries 2%! We reported for duty!

Today we heard that we were going to be furloughed for that Tuesday or we were going to have to take a personal day - the act of God Tuesday- conditions were so bad that the GOVERNOR said that people should not be out! The county has days built into the calendar for crappy days like this? Does this now mean that for every snow/hurricane/ice day, I'm gonna have to call in a personal day? What were the flooded teachers supposed to do? My own husband didn't go to work that day... what the hell is this superintendent and his board think?

If the school board lets this stand, they are all going down in the 2010 elections. Mark my words. The teachers are ready for a fight.

Heard Around the Building

2009-10-08T06:03:00.003-04:00

"You should just be glad you've got a job." I'm glad I've got a job, but I'm neither a mule nor a slave. Back the hell off.
"Is it Thanksgiving, yet?" Hell, no, but we're counting the days.
"You need to sign up for your observation - it's getting late." On who's calendar? Last year, I got observed when I taught fractions in about late November/early December. The year before, I was teaching freaking immigration which falls in about January, people. Next year, just come the first week of school. That should solve a whole multitude of problems.
"Lesson plans should include standards, essential questions, and how you are going to address inclusion students, IEP students, average students, and gifted students. Every class, every day." You might as well have us writing individual lesson plans for every child in the room.

I have to tell you that we are at DEFCOM 5. The teachers in our building are getting ready to blow. One more requirement, one more stupid comment, one more meeting and we are finished.

You guys who aren't teachers probably think that we are living the life of Reilly. We aren't. We are being pushed, shoved, poked and prodded by the powers that be. If one more person who doesn't have a clue opens his big mouth to tell me what to do, I may become BBK - bitch be krazy. And I'm telling you now, I'm (we're) not far from it.

Cheertastrophe, Part II

2009-09-30T18:51:00.003-04:00

Phew. The bruising and swelling weren't as bad as I expected, but I haven't seen Prep tonight. She said that the trainer asked the girls around her,"Prep's nose is straight, isn't it?" OMG. That must have been pleasant to hear.

Just like when BrownBear sled into the tree when she was five and everyone ran into the house screaming, "Is her nose still there?"

Thank goodness they were girls. What would I have done with a houseful of boys?

Cheertastrophe (Title credits go to Amalah)

2009-09-29T17:57:00.003-04:00

Oh hell. Just got off the phone with the trainers from Prep's school and the word is this: there was a cheer accident. The good news is that Prep doesn't have a concussion. The bad news is that there was some facial/nose trauma and we need to keep an eye and ice on it. And we'll keep looking at it and reassess it in a few days. They have the best training facility in the city. Remember, last year, they sewed up a cheerleader on the track. At least they didn't have to set Prep's nose out there.

Oh hell. I think they're worried that her nose might be broken. Not the week of the biggest game they play -

More at eleven.

Un-Homecoming

2009-09-27T20:52:00.002-04:00

This is the front of Prep's and BrownBear's school last Monday night after the rain stopped falling. That little tiny sign poking up out in the middle of the water is the sign that directs carpool. The bridge has a small pond that the senior class usually swims in after final finals. It expanded quite a bit, to say the least.

My brother has already made fun and has called this the new pool for Varsity swimming this year.

Homecoming was supposed to be Friday night. It was cancelled. School resumed Thursday, but many buildings and the football field were underwater, so they postponed all the Homecoming activities and played the football game Saturday at another field. In another torrential downpour.

Thank goodness the weather this week is full of sunshine!

Flood Day!!

2009-09-21T21:19:00.002-04:00

School is cancelled tomorrow because we are stuck in the middle of a deluge. An Old Testament-type rain continues to fall and flood and cause much consternation around heah.

Hence, the free-day tomorrow.

Personally, I thought the county would wait until 4AM to call it. That's how they roll. But an elementary school flooded today, and parents were HOT. So, they thought they'd better get a handle on things - you know, with the roads being out and all , so they have shut down the county. We are thrilled. Unforetunately, Prep and BrownBear's school is so wet, the football field is underwater and Homecoming is Friday. No word on how they are going to address that mess.

So, think of me manana; we never get snow, but sometimes, we do get a break.

I Couldn't Be More Excited

2009-09-19T07:47:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. I asked to be the 5th grade math teacher four and a half weeks ago and our principal said that we couldn't do that because we "compact" math and we aren't allowed to group our kids in all subjects according to ability. Therefore, I was stuck teaching all Language Arts to the entire 5th grade in 45 minute segments.

Our county recently adopted a new Language Arts program and you should see this mother. It says that it needs at least 2 hours per day for it to work. At least.

Hello? I wasn't getting enough time to look those kids in the eye, let alone teach them how to read. (and kids who can't read in the 5th grade perplex me - discuss) I was barely getting in spelling and grammar and some shared reading. And I was ready to quit. It took me three weeks to get in subjects, predicates, fragments and kinds of sentences. And people failed the test.

So, yesterday, our team went to the principal armed with a new schedule for every 5th grader that maintained the integrity of the compacted math classes, and didn't ability group them anywhere else, an email from the teacher of the year at a nearby school who is responsible for teaching all the math (and showed a 13% rate of growth last year) and an agreement from our teammates to each take a section of this hellacious Language Arts program while I take on all the math. After we got the special ed teacher on board, the principal agreed.

So, now, I am responsible for all the math. Go ahead and joke. Who couldn't teach 5th grade math? Some of you need to take a look at the standards. You have to be able to illustrate decimal multiplication and division. You have to be able to do pi. Add and subtract fractions. Volume - three dimensional stuff - that some kids don't always wrap their minds around. And one of the classes I'm taking over is about two weeks behind the others. Because they are the low class. Well, that ends Monday. They are hopping aboard the Teachergirl Express. When I told my homeroom on Friday afternoon what was going to happen on Monday, I heard one of them say, "You'd better hold on. She doesn't play." Thankyouverymuch. I couldn't have asked for a more ringing endorsement.

Roll Tide!!

2009-09-17T18:19:00.002-04:00

Prep got her first college acceptance and I am proud. I think my first college letter was a rejection.

September 11, 2009

2009-09-10T18:08:00.003-04:00

In Honor of Christine Hanson

Youngest Victim of the Attacks on the United States

September 11, 2001

Christine Lee Hanson was born February 22, 1999 to Peter and Sue Hanson. She was aboard United Flight 175 - on her way to DisneyLand and to visit her mother's parents - when she and her parents perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Much has been written about this sweet young baby who was killed on this day.

She was beloved.

She was an innocent child.

She would be ten and in the fifth grade - as old as the children I teach.

I made scrapbooks for my daughters' grandmothers and used this poem and now, I thought I would publish this poem here, for Christine and her grandmothers:

Why God Made Little Girls
(Author Unknown)
God made the world with towering trees,

Majestic mountains and restless seas.

Then He paused and said , "It needs one more thing...Someone to laugh and dance and sing.

To walk in the wood and gather flowers...

To commune with nature in quiet hours."

So God made little girls

With laughing eyes and bouncing curls,

With joyful hearts and infectious smiles,

Enchanting ways and feminine wiles.

And when He'd completed the task He'd begun,

He was pleased and proud of the job He'd done.

For the world, when seen through a little girl's eyes

Greatly resembles Paradise.

Lysol, Anyone?

2009-09-09T15:46:00.004-04:00

They think BrownBear has mono - and that means fun times around here. We went to the pediatrician (again! - only this time, the good one, the one who has known the girls since they were born and not this Dr. Newgirl who ordered blood work and didn't order the complete tests for BB, so we got to go get more blood drawn!! At the children's hospital!! After the strep test!

Fun times, I tell you. I have now missed four days since the beginning, not counting the half day I was out for teacher rounds. But even being out, I was able to screw up. I was checking my e-mail and opened one from a parent who wrote that she had received her daughter's graded work out of the order we had originally intended to send it home. We had said that we were going to send it home with the lowest grade on top and her daughter's work hadn't come home that way. The 87 was in the middle, not on top. I forwarded this to my best friend in the building who promptly replied something smart-assed to me and then sent it to the parent. Holy crap. The mom wrote back to her wondering what the hell was going on. Ever clever, my friend said that the county email was acting up - our first names are exactly the same and sometimes, she gets my email.

As my great uncle used to tell me, I could screw up the Lord. I didn't understand him when I was little, but I got a handle on it today.

Classtime Tomorrow

2009-09-07T11:00:00.003-04:00

I can't wait until tomorrow. You all know - the President is going to speak during lunchtime on the east coast. (Who picked that time, I'd love to know.) Our district, in its goofy damned way of trying to be politically correct, sent home a letter from the superintendent with a note on the back for parents who want to opt their students out of the speech. (Have I told you it's going to be shown live at 12PM? And videostreamed the rest of the day? And I have planning from 11:45 - 12:30?) And no one at my school has a concrete plan for showing the speech? And the principal- you remember her - the one who won't make any decisions - wants to know what our plans are for showing the speech??

We sent the letter home on FRIDAY and, as you are well aware, we AREN'T in SCHOOL TODAY. So, if little Johnny's mommy doesn't want him to see the speech tomorrow and he doesn't bring his note, little Johnny is going to be viewing that bad boy. No lead time, no prep time, no nothing.

And have I told you that I think one of my kids has parents who are skinheads? Can my job get any better?

How Long Until Christmas?

2009-09-06T08:09:00.003-04:00

I can't say I wasn't warned. I feel like I've been swept through by a hurricane - and it's only September. Senior year, 8th grade, complete with honors classes and then, my entire year, turned upside down by the fact that I teach 68 5th graders everything there is to know about Language Arts and Reading. Cram in two or three meetings a week plus choir practice and everything else there is to do being a mom and there you have it: complete nervous breakdown.

I've spent all these days feeling overwhelmned, underloved and completely inadequate.

Thank heavens for a three day weekend.

More Madness

2009-08-23T15:35:00.003-04:00

This week, our principal had Leadership with the team leaders in the building. In this meeting, she said that everyone coming into the building had to swipe their magnetic badges across the entrance door from now on to account for who was there and who was not and when people were getting to school. It all stems from a few teachers - actually a certain teacher - who, in the past, made it her business to not arrive at school until 9AM. She had an aide and that aide covered for her. The principal was made aware of this situation by other teachers and even went down to the room to see for herself.

Our principal does not like confrontation. She was a guidance counselor in a previous life. Several people have told her that perhaps she should just approach the people who aren't following the rules and her response is: "I don't roll that way." Really? Really. Because if you are in a role of leadership and authority, you'd better be ready to have some critical conversations with the people you are in authority over - because it's not my job to roll that way, either. She would have us police each other. But I don't make the big bucks in Admin - I teach, remember? She's going to have the School Climate Committee come up with a Dress Code because some people don't know how to dress and she's uncomfortable approaching those people - again, that's not how she rolls - but the county already has a dress code in place. I'm not reinventing the wheel, people. Because that's not how I roll.

The kicker, however, came when she announced that on our evaluations, we could be marked as Needs Improvement on Professionalism if we missed 5 days this year and not be eligible for the Exemplary status. This, right now, makes absolutely no sense. The county provides us with 3 personal days and 12 sick days per year. If I choose to take those days, have doctor's notes or whatever, it really shouldn't be held against me and my evaluation. I have children who get sick - on a regular basis - and I'm taking care of them. Those sick children don't always go to the doctor for me to get a note, but it looks like I'll be taking them. And with all those flu warnings, I can guarantee that I won't be coming if I feel feverish. Like I am right now.

The Week That Won

2009-08-13T13:40:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness it's Thursday - that means tomorrow is Friday and this week will be over. And it wins. First weeks of school suck. I hate them. All this paperwork and this is how we do things and all that crap. Let's just get down to it. Wait 'til I introduce you to my genuises.

Welcome Home, BrownBear!!

2009-08-09T18:38:00.003-04:00

Never has a mother been more relieved than this one when I saw her head appear as she rode up the escalator at Hartsfield this morning. BrownBear burst into tears when PrepGirl hugged her. She was exhausted and just glad to be home. She had been awake since 4:30 Saturday morning. She'd hung out at the equator before making the mad dash home. She didn't get to sleep on the plane at all. And it was a LONG flight.

And we're just glad she's back home.

What an adventure.

Right now, though, she's crashed on my bed. I just like to go and look at her.

This Just In!!

2009-08-07T17:01:00.002-04:00

My lily white behind in the driver's seat!!! LawyerBoy found the deal of the century and brought this badassed Envoy home for me. I am thrilled. Flabbergasted! I haven't had a new car since BrownBear was 3 months old. She is 13 1/2.

School may be getting ready to kill me, but this year, my ride is going to be smooth.

Two Down, 188 To Go (Unless the Governor Has His Way with Us)

2009-08-04T18:26:00.004-04:00

Cupcake update: Here's the icing on the cake. While class sizes are allowed to go to an all-time high of 29 in elementary classrooms (and I've had 28 in a trailer), for some inexplicable reason, the rising 5th graders have lost some 19 students. Right now, we have 54 registered 5th graders. Our principal has already pulled one of our team members - my best friend - and left the rest of us scrambling on how to departmentalize with the three of us. While I might say that all hell's done broke loose, that would be an understatement. Because I envision two scenarios: first, fewer students come than anticipated. That leaves another teacher out in the cold and I'm hoping it's not me. But I think I am covered in that respect (what with my time in the county and the building). It is the second scenario that I am concerned about: the influx of fifth graders which we all know is entirely possible. If we get more kids than we can handle, what's going to happen? I personally think everyone jumped the gun on this one.

So, in addition to being completely freaked out about BrownBear - don't let this calm demeanor fool you-this school year is off to a completely sucky start. We moved into the building this year, but, as I said, I wasn't going to go off half cocked and work for free, so I did nothing - and the principal wouldn't let us in the building because the custodians were waxing floors and shampooing carpets. That is why I am up so damned early today -- I've got a crap load to finish before Meet and Greet tomorrow and they've scheduled meetings today -- who runs this district but a bunch of morons? -- so I am off to shower and get a head start.

While Cupcake and John Deere Mom dance about and enjoy their vacations during these crazy hot days of August, I have already spent the past two days in pre-planning. Nearly twelve hour days, because I didn't go and do one doggoned thing during the summer. My days of working for the government for free are over.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously to do away with the regulation that teachers work 190 days during the school year. Basically, they said that we only need to work 183. That gives the local school boards the power to furlough us for seven days; they even said that the bus drivers and cafeteria workers could be furloughed. They were going to furlough them when the impact on students wouldn't be felt. Feel free to look around and be confused. I know I was when I heard that tidbit.

(Just a little gossip about our State Superintendent of Education: Kathy Cox, that bright bulb who won $1 million on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, filed for bankruptcy along with her husband not more than 2 months after winning. According to bankruptcy law, she was insolvent when she won the money and her creditors had the right to go after it. She transferred the money back to Fox TV and then went on Atlanta local news to talk about how bad her creditors were - coming after money that really belongs to the poor deaf and blind children of Georgia. Poor Kathy Cox - if she had only had a real attorney who knew the law, she wouldn't have filed for bankruptcy so soon after winning that cash. And if she isn't careful, she's going to lose that job that keeps her in a little over $100,000 per year.)

So, that's how smart our State Superintendent really is. Agreeing to furlough teachers who do the dirty work for a governor and legislature who didn't do their jobs in the first place.

Going back to school was good for me because BrownBear has been gone now since Saturday. I haven't heard anything - and the word is no news is good news. I do check weather.com everyday just to pretend like I know something about what's going on with her. LawyerBoy is on a business trip and Prep is at cheercamp, getting ready for her senior year(?!).

So, now, it's a shower, some leftovers and bed for me. To do it all again tomorrow - including a cheermom meeting and choir. You can bet I'm thrilled.

What was I Thinking When I Said Yes?

2009-07-31T16:33:00.004-04:00

Notice the boxed country on the above continent: BrownBear leaves in approximately 24 hours for Ecuador. Uh, with a group of 8th graders from school. All prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated. Trust me. I'm the nervous wreck.

Just a Quick Question

2009-07-26T21:04:00.002-04:00

Why do men think Extreme Home Makeovers are a good idea seven days before I have to report back to school? When we are expecting houseguests in a day? When both of our children are leaving on trips - one of whom is leaving the freaking country by herself for the very first time ALONE? Could I be any more bothered by this? I understand he means well, but for heaven's sake, he's had all summer. Couldn't he have bothered me in June instead of the last week of July?

Just asking...

Five Days and Counting

2009-07-26T08:46:00.004-04:00

Home again, this time from the beach. People, I've got five days of vacation left before we report for pre-planning. This week, the governor came out and said, "whoops! we've got a $900 million deficit. Teachers need to take 3 furlough days!" And my response is, "whoops! I've got a signed contract that doesn't say anything about the governor forcing me to take 3 furlough days because the state can't add." That's what you get when you elect a veterinarian governor. And don't get me wrong, because I love vets. I don't like stupid ones. But here's the deal: this is the same governor who was elected because of the educator bloc; he had our backs for years - he even gave us $100 gift cards at the beginning of every school year- but for him to think he could break our contracts? I'd like to know what his school teacher mama thinks.

Amazingly enough, the county isn't forcing the issue. They have $100 million in reserve - and we didn't have paper or toner for the copying we couldn't do last year - and are spending $10 million to keep all of us employed. Imagine - they are looking like the good guys. But like I always say, who knows what they have in store for us.

What a Run

2009-07-17T21:24:00.002-04:00

I watched Walter Cronkite my entire life: I am only sorry he didn't make it until Monday to see the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing. I can only imagine his seat for this anniversary is somewhat more spectacular.

Look at my Swedish Pancake, Now!

2009-07-11T08:17:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry; I didn't pay much attention to Wimbledon this year, except for the local girl who made good. But, excuse me. Bjorn Borg? I never liked him because he was never cute to me. But, hello lover. I'm sorry for not paying attention to you in the past. Can't we call it even and start over?

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

2009-07-09T21:12:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite images from the Fourth of July - as I sprinted from the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Archives to the Air and Space Museum where I met one of the Tuskegee Airmen - is this one of the Fife and Drum Corps on the National Mall getting ready for the parade. As Melissa B has pointed out, the Fourth of July was like the end of September and the day after we were looking for the sweatshirts we didn't pack.

What a road trip. And I mean that very day. My sister dropped me at Archives and I started running. When she picked me up on Independence and 12th, we thought we could just blow on through to Virginia - little did we know that "they" were closing the city down and we had to go down 12th Street, ending up on Pennsylvania Avenue all the way out to Suitland, Maryland. I have a picture of the Andrews Air Force Base exit on 495.

We managed to do all of this in 90 minutes.

While Prep and BrownBear were asleep at home.

I love road trips, but I am certainly glad to be back home.

Can I Get an Amen?

2009-06-25T13:08:00.003-04:00

Summer school is over for another year - I hope everyone of those babies passed that test this morning. However, one of them tried to bubble in the math answers in the reading section.

Do you see what I've been working with these past few weeks?

I'm heading to Charleston and D.C. for the Fourth!! Can't wait. I hear I've got a great spot to view the fireworks this year.

Let's Talk About Jon and Kate Because Everyone Else Is Today

2009-06-23T15:19:00.004-04:00

If you had watched as much J&K+8 as I have (it's like a train wreck; you can't turn away), you'd realize that they never seemed much like a married couple. They were always talking about doing everything for the kids. It was always "for the kids." Look, I'm all for taking care of my kids, but one of these day, my kids are going away - sooner than I realize - and I'm going to be here with that guy I promised to love, honor and cherish, until death do us part. Kate was always (ALWAYS) the person in charge of that so called family - it was basically her way or the highway. She always had to be in control, loudly, and if she couldn't do it, she had to tell you how to do it. There was never any semblance of compromise or compassion. She hit him, yelled at him, and basically emasculated him in front a worldwide audience.

If I spoke to my husband as ungraciously as she spoke to hers, I guarantee, I would have been out on my behind in about fifteen minutes.

And then she got greedy. I remember when they went to their friends' home - the one with the big house and all that property. And I saw the glint in Kate's eyes. All of a sudden, goodies started coming their way. And she couldn't say no. Trips, a million dollar estate, custom-built playhouses, kids in t-shirts with their sponsors names emblazoned on the fronts, Emeril cooking for them. Really? Really.

And let's be honest, none of those kids is really adorable. They have become entitled brats. Who whine. Like their mother. Who must be the only role model they have. Think back to the last birthday party. Friends? Other mothers? Not so many, really.

Now granted, Jon is no saint. But let's think about this for a minute. He never really was the man of the house - as outspoken as I am, I like to think that LB is the man of the family and we are a team. He takes care of me and I take care of him. Did you see any of that with those two? Uh, no.

Now, I am sure to get comments re: I really didn't know the entire story. Maybe, maybe not. But I sure did get invited to know a whole lot. At the expense of their entire life.

So, while Jon looks like an idiot with the pierced ears and the Converse sneakers, and Kate cries the big crocodile tears and says that she really doesn't want to do this all alone (sure seemed like you wanted to the past five years) I can understand his excitement: he's getting away from the shrew and gets to live in the big house without her for a while on a whole new TLC series: Jon Minus Kate Divided By Eight: Divorce Wars/Visitation Rights.

Notes From Friday

2009-06-19T22:47:00.002-04:00

Three more days of summer school and then the Super Big State Test. We had to bubble the answer documents ourselves, thankyouverymuch. What, you morons at the school board, who took 2% of my pay, didn't realize who failed the test in April and didn't run the labels? So, I had to bubble Social Security numbers and names and grades and birthdates and all that ridiculous information for 15 fifth graders that you don't trust to do themselves? Do you realize that one day, they are going to have to bubble this same information on a standardized test themselves? The all important SAT that you believe everyone in the county MUST take in order to make yourselves look good - they do all the bubbling. Did you know that? Just saying..
Went to the midnight screening of The Proposal last night with three teenagers. I think it was funny - I remember laughing, but I was exhausted. It has been a while since I stayed out that late and went to bed at 3AM. I'm still tired.
Nestle has recalled all its cookie dough. And, of course, I bought some two days ago and have just been waiting to dive into it. If I hadn't had the news on this evening, I would be chomping on some e coli infested chocolate chip cookie dough. And just last summer, it was tomatoes. At least I can make my own cookie dough. I really couldn't do anything about the tomatoes until my father in law's tomatoes came in. And that drove me nuts.

Notes From Tuesday

2009-06-16T17:09:00.002-04:00

Iranian Revolution: hell, yes. And we're getting our news from Twitter and Facebook. Can you imagine Tom Jefferson and John Adams with technology?
One of my summer school kids came today and was lethargic - leaning all over the desk and acting all tired. The problem? She was at a party and didn't get to bed until 1AM. So, you want me to babysit your sleepy kid that you've kept out until all hours of the night and that super big state test coming up in a few days is completely meaningless to you? Really?
I went to the gym on my way home from summer school and my gym pass was tangled up in my car keys and earbuds and the old guy at the desk asked, "Are you loose?" and then he got all tongue-tied. "I didn't mean it like that," he said. I hope not.

Remember When I Said ...

2009-06-08T14:05:00.004-04:00

I wasn't going to ever, ever teach summer school again? And then I signed up, but only to teach math because who, in his right mind, teaches reading to 5th graders?

Face it, in this economy, 82 hours at my hourly rate makes a difference. So, I am teaching summer school math and my class is made up of those kids who missed passing by 2 - 3 points. So, for the most part, they are vested in this.

However, my best story so far comes from down the hall from a friend teaching 3rd grade reading. She has a young man in her class who did not pass the super big state test and is here for reading instruction. She sat him down one day last week for some guided reading and asked him to read the first sentence and he told her he couldn't read. (For those interested, the word he got stuck on was the.) He told my friend, "Hers gots the markers." Holy English nightmare, Batman!!

He got suspended today for having a knife in his shoe. (?) I don't know how or why or what. I'm just reporting the facts.

However, we found out today a fact that might explain some of this - his father is his uncle.

Cue the banjoes.

In Which I Totally Blow My Cover

2009-06-01T16:26:00.002-04:00

Late last week, the school board had a hearing for public comments concerning the change in teacher pay, i.e. strip the teachers, bus drivers and school nurses of their pittance and let the central office employees have raises.

After hearing that the Vice Chair said that "the teachers were okay with it," I thought it might be necessary to make an appearance at the THIRTY minutes they were allotting us to be heard. My compatriots and I got there an hour before the hearing started because parents were also slated to speak concerning a change in report cards.

I had told LawyerBoy that I was merely going to lend my support at this function and I promised not to get arrested. He did, however, stay at his office late because it is close to the jail that we would all be hauled to if things got out of hand.

No one had signed up to speak for the teachers when we had arrived, so I threw caution to the wind and signed up to speak on behalf of the teachers. I had time to prepare - although I was sitting in the midst of a maelstrom - and my words were succinct, thoughtful and not one bit disrespectful. When it was my turn, I did a great job. The teachers I was with said that at one point there were other people shouting, "Amen, sister!" and clapping and cheering. I was, however, trying to read my own writing and trying not to faint. I finished before my two minutes were up and sat down. Now, by the time the meeting got started, guidance counselors, school nurses, bus drivers and school teachers had signed up. But we only got two minutes apiece.

Oh.... did I mention the TV news crews and newspaper reporters who were present? Didn't think so.

Oh, and did I mention that there wasn't any air conditioning in the boardroom? I think they wanted to sweat us out.

When I got home, the news mentioned that the teachers had met, but that was it. I was pretty happy. Didn't have to mention anything to LB - lots of teachers were there, lots of teachers spoke and lots of teachers were unhappy.

Friday afternoon, I turned on the news. Apparently, they were saving the teacher story for the weekend. And there I was; thankfully, I didn't have my name scrolling under my face as I was speaking, but you couldn't miss me. Even the girl who does my hair called. However, LB didn't see and I didn't mention it to him. He was on a need to know basis and he didn't need to know.

Saturday morning. I checked Facebook. And I believe the words from a fellow teacher I read were: "Hey girl, you're all over the front page of the paper. You rock."

Oh my holy hell. I was paragraphs 2 - 6, above the fold, in a front page story about the teachers and how they felt betrayed over the superintendent's secret raise.

LawyerBoy is now all clued in on my Thursday night antics. I believe he wanted to protect me from being an idiot in front of the Board; he said that what I said was absolutely appropriate and I had nothing to fear. And if anyone did have an issue with what I said needed to remember that he was conversant in civil and constitutional law.

Whew.

He also went out on Saturday afternoon, leaving me alone in the house, and asked if he'd be reading about what I did in Sunday's paper.

Ha. Ha.

Really? Really.

2009-05-27T18:34:00.003-04:00

Our superintendent sent the traditional, end of the year feel good letter this afternoon.

It was particularly hard to stomach, especially since our illustrious leader, who makes over $268,000 in salary and also draws retirement from his earlier job with the county, was given a $25,000 raise in a closed door session of our school board.

What the hell?

We are being asked to take a 2% decrease, a furlough day and no step increase.

A session is being held tomorrow evening for teachers and others to discuss this move; a move that the Vice Chair of the Board has said that the teachers really seem to be supporting. Is she kidding?

I'd be willing to take the hit if the top was taking a hit. But there isn't even the appearance that our leaders are willing to surrender any of their perks. The leadership of the board isn't even aware that the teachers are disgruntled and they think we are going away without a fight.

As if.

DONE!!

2009-05-22T21:30:00.002-04:00

Doubt I'll be this happy when August rolls around, but, for now, I'm pretty doggoned content.

And Then There Was....

2009-05-21T22:09:00.003-04:00

Yes. The One. The final one. Day 180.

Field day.

Update on the stupid father: He didn't take her to the hospital until this morning. And, of course, her ankle was broken. And when she was casted up and handed a pair of crutches, this moron brought her back to school. I might understand if he was a factory worker and couldn't let her sit by the big machinery. But this guy has a white collar job. With a secretary.

Someone explain this situation to me before I call Child Protective Services and have this guy raked over the coals.

You all know how I feel about field day. I'm going for tequila shots when we're finished. Anyone interested?

And Then.... There Were....

2009-05-20T17:44:00.002-04:00

Today... the fifth grade luncheon. The principal needs a new speech. Just saying. I've heard this one a number of times.

I'm a little concerned, however, with a parent who went back to work after the luncheon. His wife is a flight attendant, so he came on over. I've always liked this guy; he's nice, involved, the typical all American Dad. But we went out to play this afternoon and his daughter was playing soccer - hard - because she's a good player who is on a good team. She got hurt - it looked like she might have broken a bone in her ankle.

He told the school nurse and the principal that she should go home on the bus; he'd been at school for two hours and he wasn't coming back. Did I mention that I pushed her to the clinic in the wheelchair? And we thought her ankle might be broken? They refused to put her on the bus because she couldn't walk. So he told them to put her in the afterschool program and he'd get her from there. When I left, she was sitting in the wheelchair, with her foot elevated, in the hallway. She had taken some motrin she had with her, but who knows how long that would last.

Of all the stupid things.

And Then There Were...

2009-05-19T21:14:00.002-04:00

No. Not naked women. Three. Three days. I am exhausted. I have a ton of things left to move, but I have cleared out my cabinets and bookshelves. LawyerBoy is coming tomorrow to move boxes. And then the great unpacking occurs. But first, field day, report cards and 5th grade luncheon. Hurry, hurry.

And Then There Were

2009-05-19T05:54:00.002-04:00

Seemed appropriate because the next four days are like days from the apocalypse. Have I mentioned that the last day of school is Field Day? And it's supposed to rain? Really? Really.
And when we went to recess yesterday, I had to wear my winter coat. Because it was cold. And I'm talking about wind blowing, teeth chattering cold. Really.

It's time to pull the curtain on this year, people.
(I bet when he wrote this book, he had no idea.)

And Then There Were...

2009-05-17T19:14:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow? Packing and moving and lots of thank you notes by fifth graders. Textbook turn-in. Praise be.

(Remind me to post about TI and how he nearly cost me my job. Preview Cupcake's comments.)

Graduation was this afternoon. Officially, Prep has 364 days until she graduates. I am officially panicked.

Ode to my Love

2009-05-16T08:07:00.005-04:00

We take this break from countdown to speak from the heart about the crisis at GM and love affair I've been having for the past 13 years. Yes. You heard me. I've been having an affair for 13 years . And here's a picture of my lovah:

Yes. The 1994 GMC Suburban. I got this car on Mother's Day weekend 1996. BrownBear was three months old. Prep was almost four. The car was used (that's what we called it back in the day - none of this gently preowned). It had barely 18,000 miles on it. It was awesome. No one in my family could understand how I could drive or why I loved it but I could drive it - on the Atlanta interstates, I needed to be safe and feel safe and in this baby, I did. I was a soccer mom, a Girl Scout mom and an elementary school and pre-school carpool mom. I could get seven kids in this baby - more if you double buckled. This car went to Virginia, Missouri, and Florida. Several times. It was a party barge.

Fast forward to today. Prep learned how to drive in this party barge. It is making a funny sound in the transmission. The air condition needs freon desperately. The back doors leak when it rains. It has 206,000 miles on it. It still goes, but I only go to work in it.

I think it could go in the GMC hall of fame. And since this baby is falling apart like the parent company, don't you think I could find a good deal on a new one?

And Then There Were...

2009-05-14T19:37:00.002-04:00

(I don't know what the Seattle Internet Exchange is, but I love the graphic.)

Oh my holy hell. What a day. I stayed until 5PM, packing boxes for the big move. But the big news of the day is that Super Big State Test results are back and every single one of my 5th graders passed English/Language Arts. All my math geniuses scored super high on the math section. We only lost 7 kids to the State Test in 5th grade this year: one in Reading and six in Math. Most will be classified as African Americans who are economically disadvantaged. We've already heard that we need to find a way to meet their needs. I don't know how to meet the needs of an economically disadvantaged child unless I start class with a peanut butter sandwich, a brand new pencil and a notebook. I need some help in this area - I know that I grew up with kids who were economically disadvantaged: the Catholic kids in my neighborhood who had eight brothers and sisters come to mind. One family whose house burned down. And yet they were always in school with homework in hand. Peanut butter sandwich in the other. Education was the most important thing in their home. In all of our homes. So, how do I get that message through to those who struggle the most with this?

Because I saw the 4th grade scores and, seriously, we're in for it next year.

And Then There Were....

2009-05-13T17:33:00.002-04:00

But I have used up most of my allotted boxes. So, I sent my wonderful room moms out to the neighborhood liquor stores before school ended today - before my colleagues could get there - to gather up all the boxes to be found. My room is a freaking disaster. My desk - I haven't seen it in two days. My grades - who knew we had to do report cards again? - have to be entered, but first I have to grade something. I've got kids trying to pack my bookcases and closets. I told them to make sure they at least labeled the boxes. The AP told us today that we had to have our textbooks in our new rooms, lined up for an inventory. Really? Not boxed up, but lined up on a table, in a corner. We are trying to get them outside for recess and it has done nothing but rain. Really? Really. This year is coming to a sucking halt, but at least it is ending.

And Then There Were

2009-05-12T16:30:00.004-04:00

But we are behind the eight ball. The fifth grade is moving inside the building for the next school year and I have to pack up and move. So, I am working on getting in the last little bits of work, keeping everybody busy, keeping the lid on and PACKING up every little thing I want moved into the building. But who cares? 'Cause I'm down to eight.

And Then There Were Nine

2009-05-11T17:25:00.001-04:00

And Then There Were

2009-05-10T17:41:00.001-04:00

and counting...

And you know how bad these ten days can be.

In Which I Reveal My True Geek Status

2009-05-07T19:36:00.004-04:00

Just back from the movie to say that while they took amazing liberties from the history of the series, it was, indeed, a fabulous ride. And it was a long one, too. I loved it, but the writers have some 'splaining to do. That's just for me, though.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few ... or the one." Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock from "The Wrath of Khan." A fine, fine Star Trek movie. If I were truly a Trekker, I would already be at the movie theater, dressed up in some kind of garb. (The only time I've ever dressed up for something was a MASH party at the KA house in college - that was a fine party, if I say so myself.)

However, I am merely a fan. I freely admit it. My children just got finished laughing at me. That, too, is fine. However, tomorrow night, I will be fighting my way into the theater with a whole lot of other people to see the newest installment of the Star Trek series.

There are always possibilities...

Teacher Accountability

2009-05-07T07:52:00.002-04:00

I finally finished that year long (YEAR LONG) teacher mentoring class this week. Oh my holy hell - that was a long one. It now means that I am able to guide student teachers through the rigors of classroom teaching without a pay raise - just a $50 stipend before taxes.

During one of last class discussions, it was noted by one of our facilitators that nearly 49% of our county's teachers exceeded standards on the performance instrument. She said if that were really true, our county would have met the AYP. It took a while for me to let that sink in. If you like, I'll let you all think about it, too.

Go ahead. See if you come to the same conclusion I did.

If you follow her logic, you will come to the conclusion that student success is largely based on teacher performance. If that is true, then our large school district should be fine because nearly half of our teachers have exceeded standards. Only 1% were placed on some kind of remediation plan. Apparently, we have some fine teachers here. (And please don't start in with me on how hard it is to get rid of bad teachers. That's not my point.)

Once I thought about that, I realized she left out some very important people in the equation: the students and their parents. Just because I exceeded standards doesn't mean I have all the answers and all the tricks to get every child in my care to exceed standards, too. I need each one of them to buy into the idea that their education is just that: their education. I can preach, cajole, cry, beg, wheedle, poke, and prod all day long, every day, for 180 day. But if the kids don't do their jobs, and the parents don't do theirs, how do you think I'm supposed to do mine?

What surprises me most is that this teacher drank the kool-aid. I am more surprised that she is espousing this idea than anything else. Let the public think this is all my fault; let parents shirk their responsibilities. But for a colleague to publicly tell teachers that it is all our responsibility is more than I can fathom.

Could the apocalypse be far off?

Cheerleader in the House

2009-05-03T08:16:00.003-04:00

Prep made the squad!! When I saw her before tryouts, she was back to normal. Confidant, happy, ready to rock. After all, who wants to spend senior year in the library? Apparently not Prep. She was so confidant when she came back home after tryouts that she was planning on being captain. At least co-captain.

So, one more year - can you believe it? There is much happiness.

Now, on to the SAT.

Oh My Holy Hell or Isn't It Always Something, Part Three

2009-05-01T22:26:00.003-04:00

Bill Maher and Barney Frank discussing the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Like I need these two discussing the legitimacy of anything.

Wasn't that the same Barney Frank that drove us into the economic mess that we're trying to dig ourselves out of right now?

Part Dos

2009-04-30T17:29:00.002-04:00

By the way, it is Varsity cheerleading tryouts tonight. Prep's last one: she is terrified she won't make it and I can't believe that she won't. She fell yesterday during practice doing something called a roundoff back handspring - on the gym floor. Shook her confidence.

However, when she left for tryouts just now, she was her smiling, confident self. My baby is all grown up. I can't believe that she is just minutes from becoming a Senior. Man, I remember being a senior. I loved it. I rocked it. I can't believe how quickly it went by. And I can't believe that she's about to take off on her own.

So, if you would, send a few silent prayers her way. She'd appreciate it and so would I. I don't know what I'll do with her if she doesn't make it.

It's Always Something, Part Uno

2009-04-30T16:58:00.004-04:00

I teach the brilliant math students. No questions asked. However, I often run into parents of these students who do not meet these criteria. Point in case:

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Pi Day after studying circles, circumference, diameter, pi, and the area of circles. On Pi Day, we (which is usually celebrated on March 14th) ask the students to bring in their favorite pies and we do various activities with the pies before we cut them up and share them.

My superstudentteacherchick and I sent home a note about our Pi Day Celebration replete with our explanation of what we had been studying (pi) and how we planned on celebrating (with pie).

The note was to be signed and returned if a student was going to bring a pie to school. I received 12 notes indicating that pies would be brought to school. It wasn't until superstudentteachergirl handed me one of that I realized that "it's always something."

The mom had gone through my note and every time I had written the word pi she added an e and changed the word to pie.

I appreciate the help but I am OCD when it comes to spelling. Especially something I am sending home to parents. I meant for pi to be pi because it has a special meaning in math - a meaning I meant for all the students to understand. My question is this: did she think we had spent 4 1/2 weeks studying pie?

30 Day Shred?

2009-04-27T18:47:00.002-04:00

I can hardly type these words and the girls are waiting on me to finish dinner but I can barely move after a 20 minute workout by the name of 30 Day Shred. Thanks, Jillian. You kicked my butt. I can't believe that people actually live through 30 days of this workout. I mean, do they actually do this for 30 days in a row? BrownBear was working out next to me and it was kicking her butt, too. So, while I am hurting, at least my completely in shape PE taking, volleyball playing, swim teamer and gymnastics girl was panting right beside me.

Public Service Announcement

2009-04-25T20:09:00.002-04:00

Cupcake, wherever you are, whatever's happened: please come out and play. Let us know you are fine. And if you aren't, let us know, too.

Missing you,
-teachergirl

Twenty and Counting...

2009-04-24T18:02:00.003-04:00

That's right, dudes. Twenty school days and counting. And I won't be sad to see most of these go. As a kindergarten teacher once told me, every 180 days, we get a whole new set of employees. And I can't wait.

Four super big state tests are finished and one more to go on Monday. My super student teachergirl's last day was today and for her finale, she caught the lizard that was creeping around the place.

I actually had to sit down and figure out what to do next week. Whew. I almost made her plan for me before she left.

But I'm not that mean. Yet.

I Haven't Fallen Off the Face of the Earth..

2009-04-23T18:15:00.002-04:00

However, we are in the middle of Super Big State Testing and I am wiped out. My fifth graders need to pass reading and math in order to be promoted. I don't know if it's looking good or not. I really couldn't tell you; I'm not allowed to look at the questions. Hardly makes sense, does it?

Our writing scores came back, however, and 93% met or exceeded standards. I am pretty impressed. With them and myself.

I must return to the real world, now, because the youth group is coming for the weekend. I don't know how I get talked into these things.

Motherhood.

What's a Girl To Do?

2009-04-16T20:30:00.003-04:00

Where to begin? Two days to Super Big State Testing... and I know I don't feel ready. I haven't felt this unprepared in years.

Only one more week with super student teachergirl. I swear - where has the year gone? She is amazing and I hope she gets a job. However, with this stupid economy, I don't see it. She is going to direct the preschool by her house until things settle down.

I am going to send my resume to PrepSchool, where copying happens without question, laptops are handed out to the kids and life goes on as normal. I need to teach some History to someone who might care. I hope someone needs a history teacher as badly as I need a history teaching job.

Thank goodness - five weeks and counting.

I know this sucks, but I've got nothing, people.