"The Man" surpises me and "Wood" is gone!

It's been a week since the last day of school. Surprisingly, there were no big surprises during those last few days of school. We received our scores on our End of Grade tests. "The Man" received a 4 (!!!) on his Reading tests. (The highest score a student can accomplish) and a 3 on his Math test, one of the highest scores in the class!!! What does one say to that??!?!!?



WE DID IT!!! He made it through fourth grade. Struggles? Yes! Suspensions? Of course! Being cussed out almost everyday? Absolutely!!! But we made it. HE made it.

And finally "Wood" is OUT OF MY CLASS!!!! She is now someone else's problem (God, help them!) This was a really hard year and I am so glad that I made it through, even though I "resigned" in the middle of the year. Overall, I realized that this is the school that I want to be at and it is not because of the fabulousness of the institution, but just the FABULOUS staff and friends that I have.

I think the best part of being a teacher at a school like this is that I get to know families and I love when the brother or sisters of previous students say, "Ms. G, I want to be in YOUR class!!!" That makes me SO happy! Until of course the really get into my class.... then inevitably hate me!

But alas, I digress, I SURVIVED MY FOURTH YEAR of teaching!!!! Bring on the SUMMER!

Hearts and Sunshine

There are days (as I'm sure you've read) that I really HATE my job! But rarely does it have anything to do with my students. Usually it's grown up stupidity that gets me upset. But today was a different story, it was a GREAT day, despite the fact that I did have a fight in my class today.

I realize that I AM a good teacher and sometimes, I do make a difference, however small it may be. I actually got to teach today (novel idea) and in reflecting on how much my students (even the most difficult) have grown this year, put a little smile on my face.

I turned students, who came to me with having very little math last year, (thanks to our superintendent's initiative) into Math enthusiasts, who are pretty efficient. Today, during Literacy, I was helping a student (we'll call him Shorty) who RARELY enjoys working with words. He was becoming so involved with the lesson and was SO happy that he understood and he was having fun with it.

At one moment during our novel study, I looked up from reading and EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, had their nose buried in the book and was thoroughly enjoying the story. Their hands were raised. They were asking questions, predicting and making great connections from their own lives. It was truly magical!

If only I could take this time on task and transfer it to testing day! Why, oh why, can't I get paid for these great days? Why can't my evaluation as a teacher be based on days like today? Why can't every day be like today?

Now, granted I might be jinxing myself and tomorrow will be hellacious. But really, I think it might be worth it because today, I really made a difference. Tomorrow? Well that's another day!

My spirit is so broken.

The saga continue...


I don't even want to go back to school anymore. The bad part is that with all the "characters" that I have I'm my class this year, it is still bearable. I have hard days because I deal with hard students. That comes with the territory. Every teacher has a hard class, at least one year.


All of this would be ok, but when I bust my ass to give my students, and school 110% and get no gratitude, what's the point. I am a good teacher. I know this and I trust this. But when I received my end of the year evaluation and I am deemed just "at standard", when clearly I go above and beyond everyday. Should this not entitle me an "above standard" status? One would think, but that's not the case in this situation.


Alas, I am just a "standard" teacher, who does "above standard work". I feel that I work harder than most of the teachers at my school , but that's not reflected in my progress evaluation. And due to this, my spirit as a teacher, an educator, and all around good person is completely gone.

My Class Blog

So my students have entered the technological world and have started their own blog. We have been writing our own stories and this is our chance to publish our work. Please check it out and feel free to comment. My students would LOVE IT!

The link is: http://c8beez.blogspot.com

Thanks for your continued support in all of my educational efforts.

Oh what a week it's been....

This week has me not only questioning my job, and my place at my current school, but really I am beginning to question my life, and my place in this world. That's ultimately what it has come down to, this crazy place (my school) is making me question EVERYTHING, from how I deal with things, to if I am slumping back into a state of depression, to if I really need to be in education. The really bad part is that because of all of this, my mother is beginning to question my "state of mind" and is really worried about me! Now I know that my mother is going to worry about me anyway, but because I am so far away from her, her anxiety increase.

Here's a breakdown of my hellacious week:

Monday - Dealt with an angry parent of, "The Man" who when I called to tell her he walked out of class AGAIN today, she was furious with me that he wasn't going on the field trip, and that she lost her money.....seriously, people?

ME: "He was suspended THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!! PLUS, he got mad today and WALKED OUT OF CLASS! He does whatever he wants to do! Being disrespectful to adults, is just par for the course. Are we really going to reward him by allowing him to go on a field trip?"

Her: "Well you said he could go, if I go with him, why can't he go?"

Me: "Because we've already paid for everything and did not count him in, nor included you. PLUS, HE WAS SUSPENDED FOR BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND WALKING OUT OF CLASS THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!!! When I said he could go with accompaniment it was before he was suspended. Besides I met with you IN PERSON last Monday, you never indicated that you were interested in going on the trip with him!"

Her: "Ms. G, I have so much on my mind, I can't keep up with field trips." (Really, like keeping up with the behavior of your child?) "When is it? Wednesday? I mean that's money that I can't get back that could have gone to bills or something." (Or something like you hair or nails?)

Me: "Well, I suggest that you make him work off the money that he owes you."

Her: "Whatever."

Nice! Ok, so we are not upset because the student is walking out of class, we are more upset of losing $$$. Now I know that economic times are hard, but seriously, I don't go to work to babysit your child. If I was a babysitter, I would be getting paid WAY more than I do for teaching.

Tuesday - I received an email stating that we had to have grades due for our report cards on Thursday at 4. It's TUESDAY at 2:00. (For those of you who are mathematically challenged, that's 50 hours. 16 of which I will be teaching, and my fourth grade had a field trip on Wednesday, so that's 20 that my teammates will be gone/teaching. And I would like to sleep, eat and take care of personal things, approx. 24 hours for this. That's not alot of time left to organize and finalize grades.) So I shot out this email:

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!
I don't know where the breakdown is, but to let us know TWO DAYS before the deadline is a complete and utter farce!!! THE FOURTH GRADE TEACHERS WILL BE ON A FIELD TRIP ALL DAY TOMORROW SO THAT REALLY ONLY LEAVES ONE DAY TO GET GRADES POSTED. (And I'm not even speaking for myself, but for my team)
NO, IT'S NOT EVEN ONE DAY BECAUSE ON THURSDAY, FROM 8 - 4, WE ACTUALLY PLAN TO TEACH!!! A novel idea, I know.
I understand we are suppose to keep up with grades, which most of us have, but seriously, the nine weeks doesn't end until FRIDAY!!!~!~
I MEAN, TWO DAYS? SERIOUSLY?

Ok, maybe it wasn't the best thing to write, but the frustration was oozing out of every part of my body. Here's the reply from my "leader":

Emails like this are not helpful. If you have a problem, please see me.

Yes, because that has worked so well in the past when I have had "problems". (see previous blog about crazy student wielding a wooden cross at a teacher)

Wednesday - Actually, somewhat of a good day than I would have expected. I stayed behind from the field trip keeping all the "behavior" students who couldn't go on the field trip. We actually had an instructional day, and though they drove me crazy, (8 of the worst kids on my grade, all put into one room with 5 other kids) there was no major incidents. SUCCESS!!! But I left school with a huge headache which sent me home taking two Tylenol and going to bed!

Thursday - Heading to school early for morning tutoring, had to stop on the side of the road because of a nose bleed, and return to my house to change (blood all over my clothes). This was proceeded by a huge major headache/migraine that was unbearable. I couldn't get my medicine open and couldn't even see, the pain was blinding. (This has happened before, two years ago, evidently brought on by stress and high blood pressure, go figure) Called into school, and went to see my doctor. MRI pending.

Spoke to assistant principal this night to explain why I couldn't come in and that per doctor's orders, would be out on Friday as well. She told me that 3 fourth grade boys (which we have had trouble with all year and went to the "leader" about their escalating behavior, "The Man" was one of the boys, "jumped" another one of my students in the bathroom. Police were called.)

I felt so guilty and responsible, knowing that if I had been at school on this day, this could have been avoided. I am very sad at the whole situation.

I am done. Really done. There is no way I can work under the "leader" anymore. Children are now paying the price due to her allowing things to be swept under the rug. I can't do it anymore.
I have to go to another school or something, because now that this stress and frustration is starting to effect me physically. I just can't take it anymore.

Evidently, now I'm racist!!!

Here's a breakdown of my day:

1) "The Man" threw a pencil at another student today. When I tried to correct this behavior and explain why it is dangerous, he got mad and sat at his desk, refusing to complete his Math Test. He then began to make noises and was disrupting other students who were trying to take their Math Test. He did not complete one question on his test. He just kept saying over and over again, "Can you call my momma? I wanna get out of this school!"

I asked him to put his name on his test paper. When he came to get his test paper from me, he dropped three pieces of loose leaf paper on the floor. I asked him to pick of the paper that he dropped, he replied, "When I get back!" I said, "Ok," and reached for a referral form. He became so angry, he stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

This afternoon, while walking to the bus lot, I was explaining to him why he was getting suspended again, and that he was again going to miss his Spelling and Reading test for the second week in a row. This is going to have a negative impact on his academics. He yelled at me, "Man, you need to shut up and get out of my face!" He then proceeded to walk back into the school building, though I asked him several times to return to his seat in his bus line. No one had could find him.

I just got off the phone with his mother and when she asked him about what happened and why he got suspended, he said that he thinks I don't like black people!

Great! Now I've been classified as a racist by a disrespectful 11 year old, who does not take any responsibility for his own actions.

Wonderful, what a great day!

Tutoring

Usually my posts are filled with problems and complaints, but today something happened that was so great, it reminds me why I do what I do and why I love my job!

On Mondays and Wednesday for one hour after school, I tutor two students. (and yes, I do this without pay, because OMG that a teacher would actually do something that would increase student achievement and that is their 'pay', instead of a monetary value. I only say this because this questions was asked of me by a fellow "educator". see previous posts)

So today after school, my students returned to my classroom, ready to get to work. I gave them their after school snack and we got right to work. They were so excited! They wanted to learn and wanted help on certain objectives that they knew they were having problems with. They were like little sponges. It was awesome!

We started with some reading content. I gave them strategies they could use on their state tests, then we did exercises using context clues. I was so proud of them working so hard. When then went on to finding synonyms and antonyms. We had to get a dictionary out to look up a word that they didn't really understand and that's where the learning really happened!

In the back of our dictionary, there was a list of the Presidents of the US. One student, who is sometimes a pain, giving me all sorts of attitude. I call her "Wood". Today, however, she went from the Pain to the Great One. (Judy Blume shout out!) "Wood" found the list of Presidents and then began asking questions about them. I incorporated history, government, math and literacy all together. (Way to cross the curriculum, GO ME!)

"Wood" and "Smiley" learned so much and they were so excited! "Smiley" couldn't stop smiling. He won the Jeopardy game that they played and couldn't wait to tell his mom. I was so proud of both of them.

These are the days that I love my job! I love my students! I love my school! I love life!
All because two students loved learning!

My Kingdom for Another Snow Day

Yesterday we had a snow day. This is (count 'em) the THIRD SNOW DAY of the year!

Now I don't know about how the universe works; if it is karma, the Lord our savior, or the butterfly effect, but I don't think that it is just a coincidence that every time we have an "incident" at school, the next day we have a snow day. Something is trying to tell me something!

Here is my proof:

Snow Day #1) January 20, 2009 - Inauguration Day - Day before my birthday. This was the universe giving me a birthday present. No explanation necessary.

Snow Day #2) February 4, 2009 -Wednesday -
Fought with Special Education teacher on work not being completed for my students. After NUMEROUS meetings, and no change in work effort, I LOST it in front of Asst. Principal, Literacy Facilitator, and Talent Development Coordinator. "Leader" was no where to be found (go figure) but this would have been the 12th meeting with her, and still nothing changed.
After this I was called into the Principal's office, (yes, I'm a 9 year old again) and was yelled at because I failed to follow the chain of command, and went over her head. Even though, my team and I met with her on several occasions and nothing was ever resolved. I finally took matters into my own hands and had to pay the piper. (As I say to my students, I needed to suffer the consequences for my actions.)
I then returned to my classroom and tried to teach, and was cussed out by a student. GREAT!

Due to all of these reasons, I really needed a day off, and the next day>>> SNOW!

Snow Day #3) March 2, 2009 - Monday
After my two hellacious days of battling with the "leader", (see previous posts), do I really need to explain why I needed a day off?!?!?!?

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the days off, because I really wanted it, but I HATE having to make up these days. As of right now, we already had to give up our President's Day workday. Our workday scheduled for the end of this month, has now become an instructional day and we have to make up that workday during Spring Break. Now because of yesterday, we do not have Memorial Day off. Really???

Now for those of you who are complaining that you "didn't get a snow day" yesterday, and those who are sarcastically saying that teachers "have it so hard...my job doesn't get snow days.... blah blah blah." May I please say that I saw the list of closings yesterday and the businesses that were closed were longer than the schools that were closed! I bet those professions who didn't have to go to work yesterday, don't have to have a make up day! SO SUCK IT!!!!

With as much work as I have to do trying to redo my lessons for the week (really the rest of the nine weeks) to add and subtract these damn make up days, it really wouldn't hurt my feelings to have snow days 'till August 24!

(For those of you who don't know, that when the next school year starts.) I am so over this year!

I Quit!!! Part II

Sorry to all those who were anxiously awaiting the conclusion of my neverending saga. It took a little longer to write than I expected.

When last we left the heroine of our story, me, I had just left the principal's office after handing in my resignation. The second I left her office, the tears came to me flowing like a river. I cried down the hall. I cried up stairs, and I cried down the hall all the way to my classroom. I cried and cried and cried. Several teachers who heard me boo - hooing all the way down the hall came in to comfort me. I cried so hard, I couldn't catch my breath. I was so disappointed and saddened by what had just taken place. My spirit was completely broken. But I still had not realized the magnitude of what I had just done.

As a side note, I later found out that after I left the office, the principal said to the rest of my team, "I guess that's another teacher who doesn't care about student achievement."
(OH NO SHE DI IN'T!!.... Uh, yeah, she did)

Sitting in my classroom crying with every ounce of my soul, I recounted the events to the teachers who had followed me into my classroom, and who were concerned about my well-being.
They just sat there and let me vent, like all good friends do, and were astonished when I told them what I had done. They couldn't believe it, and to be honest, neither could I.

As they listened and played devils advocate, they began to ask the questions that, at the time of my resigning, I did not think of, "What are you going to do? Are you going to finish the year? Are you going to stay in education? Where are you going to go? What's your plan?"

Plan? What plan? I didn't have a plan!!! I didn't even PLAN on giving my resignation. It was just something that I did, JUST IN CASE I needed it. I never thought I would use it. That wasn't my PLAN!!! I was just angry! I was tired of fighting. I wanted a resolution and all I got was accusations and the run around. Instead of finding peace, I found myself in the middle of an internal war. ( I guess an external war too.)

I stayed at school for the next two and a half hours, crying and talking to my friends. I kept replaying the whole situation over and over again in my mind. What could I have done? What should I have done? What would I do now? I didn't know. I didn't have any answers. But the hard part wasn't over yet. Yes, ladies and gents, the hard part was going to be telling my parents.

So I called my mom. Now for those of you who know my parents, you know that they love and support me in whatever I do. Whatever I decide to do, they are always there to back me up, or so they say. Remember, I had done this before (see previous post: 69 days). And while my mom is pretty easy going and usually sees my reasoning and is GREAT at pointing out all sides of the situation, my dad... not so much!

You see, for my dad, there is only ONE WAY of doing things, HIS WAY. There's the right way, the wrong way and "Jr's way". I didn't think that the way that I had chosen, was in accordance with "Jr's way." So I called mom and told her first (I've found that's always the way to go). At first, she didn't believe me until I explained what had happened. Then she said, "Well at least you didn't put it in writing." Um, ok she didn't get the jist. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Uh, no mom I did put it in writing and I gave it to her."

"WHAT?!?!?!" she screamed. Ok, I think she was starting to get why I was crying so much. And then she said the two words that ALWAYS let me know what kind of trouble I was in. "RENI MARIE!!!!!" Yep, I was in some serious TROUBLE.

Now, you do realize that I'm 31 years old, and I live 12 hours away from my parents. But I still value my their opinion and usually pass all big decisions in my life by them, just to hear what they think. I forgot that part in this situation. I think I hear d her screaming my name (both first and middle) all the way from Louisiana, and not over the phone.

I assured her that I was going to do the right thing, but at that moment my head was so foggy and I was still at school. I told her that I would call her back after I had calmed down. (Yes, it was almost three hours later and I still had not calmed down. Still crying.)

I spent the next couple of hours on the phone talking to friends, (thanks Michael) and mom's of my friends (I love Marianne) and my assistant principal, as to what should be my next step. I got some great advice both legally and professionally. (Though I think Marianne's suggestion of telling my principal to go screw herself was just a figure of speech.) I decided I would sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.

The next morning, I got up early (actually I never really went to sleep) and headed for school. I thought about calling in a sick day, but I decided I wasn't going to let my principal get the best of me. I was going to do what was best for my students, and that was to go do my job to the best of my ability. I arrived at school, put my stuff in my classroom and went down to the prinicpal's off. I sat in the chair outside of her office and waited for her to come in, and waited and waited and waited. (Seriously, I felt like I was 9 years old again) The assistant principal came in. Other administration staff came in. And every single person that saw me waiting for our "leader" gave me a hug and asked me not to leave. It restored my faith.

When the principal finally arrived, I think she was astonished to see me waiting for her. I asked if I could talk to her in private. I went into her office and sat down at her table. I confidently explained that my letter was written out of anger and frustration. And while I didn't regret anything that I said in the letter, and I still firmly disagreed with her on many issues, I did regret resigning, not for my own ramifications, but for what would happen to my students. My decision was purely a selfish one. They didn't need or deserve one more person walking out of their lives. I wanted to rescind my resignation because it was in the best interest of my students.

Then she said something to me that was almost laughable. She said, "You really hurt my feelings." (Seriously? Seriously.) I told her that that wasn't my intention, nor was it my intention to prove a point, start a battle, or be dramatic. I really felt that I had no other choice, especially since she told me that I needed to "find another school" to teach at. Honestly, all during the meeting, she made me feel like I was a little kid instead of a professional. But she did give me my letter back and I went along on my broken spirit way.

So here I am, I still have my job, at least for the rest of the year. I don't know what my next step will be. I have decided to just take it one day at a time. I will devote my efforts to my students, and not play the politics of the situation. I have about 65 days left in this school year, and I know in my heart that I have done everything I could to find solutions to the staggering amount of problems that our school faces. Ultimately, she will have to deal with the consequences of her actions. I will continue to give 110% everyday because that's what my students need and deserve. What will happen next, is in God's hands. LGLG!

I quit!!!

On Thursday afternoon, I quit my job.

I know what you all are thinking. WTF?

But let me explain. The story goes something like this:

On Wednesday, while one of my colleagues/friend and her class was on the playground, one of her students (We'll call him "Crazy Boy", CB for short) threw a ball at another student. My colleague took the ball away from this student.

Please let me start this story by saying that I was not outside on the playground, because my class had PE that day, and we didn't need recess. If I would have been outside, the following incident probably would not have taken place.

Anyway, back to our story. After CB threw the ball at the student and my colleague took the ball away, CB was so angry, and decided to go on the other side of the playground and found two huge 4X4 and 4X8 pieces of wood that were nailed together like a cross. (I know what you are thinking, what the hell was this doing on a playground where children have play time? The answer is I have no idea, but that's where we are) Anyway, CB picks up this "weapon" and begins charging at his teacher and tries to hit her. Now, this is not the first time that CB has tried to kill or maim someone. At the beginning of the year, he picked up a chair and went to throw it at another student to which I got between the two boys and asked CB to put down the chair because I was too cute to be hit by a chair. (Sarcasm, does work in these situations). CB also stabbed another student in the hand with a pencil. Now you may be asking yourself, why CB is still attending our school. Here in lies the problem.

Ok, let's return to our story. So CB is in one of his "moments" and is charging for my colleague. Luckily, she got her students up to the school into safety and away from danger. She also deflected CB's thrashing and was not physically injured. The police were called, a report was issued and CB's dad was called to take him home. He was "suspended" for 10 days. No, not expelled, "suspended". (I use this term loosely and you soon find out why).

Now, the next day, my colleague and I received a visit from "the powers that be" to retrieve information and statements from my colleague and other witnesses. We were then informed that because CB has a a learning disability and is receiving special education services to help him with his "problems", he cannot be held accountable for his actions. Therefore, legally, he has the right to return to school. (Ok, now are you beginning to get the drift. This is why education is so fucked up and teachers are get nothing accomplished with students. We are basically fighting situations like this everyday.)

So because we were gravely concerned about CB being allowed to come back to school after trying to attack a teacher, my team and I decided to meet with the principal about the situation. The minute we walked into her office, as a fourth grade team (6 in all, one had tutoring and one was not there. One came into the meeting late, so we walked in as 4) our "leader" says, "I really see no point in this meeting." We began to express out concerns for CB returning to school. She said that we were jumping to conclusions and that we were too emotional.

We explained what we had learned today and asked if we could maybe all meet with her and "the powers that be" to express our concern for our safety and the safety of our students, "That's not your job. It mine!" she said.

We then explained that the attitudes of our students were escalating. It wasn't just CB but several of our students were going "out of control". If CB was allowed to return to school, it would show other students that there were no consequences for their actions. The disrespect, the cussing and yelling at teachers, the walking out of class, basically children doing whatever they wanted and getting away with it, we were so tired of it! We were looking to her for leadership, guidance and suggestions of what could be done.

She told us that our school was "a hard school". We had to learn good classroom management and stick to it. I explained relentlessly that it wasn't just our team. "It's all teachers at the school, in every grade level. Can't you feel it? Don't you feel how the moral in the school is so low? Don't you feel it permeating through the halls and being pushed onto our students?"

To be honest, I can't remember exactly how she responded to this statement. But it was something like she just threw up her hands, and said that there was nothing she could do. Suspending students was not always in their best interest.

I explained that we were not asking for suspension, but a resolution to this huge problem. Her response, (wait for it) "Well maybe you just don't need to teach at this school."

And with that I handed in my resignation and left her office.

So I'm a therapist, but don't get paid like one

Every Monday and Wednesday after school, I tutor two students who are having difficulty with basic fourth grade objectives. I do this on my own time for the betterment of my students. (Just in case you're wondering, because another teacher asked, "Are you getting paid?"

"No." I responded.

"Really? Then why do you waste your time?"

UM, BECAUSE I GIVE A DAMN YOU LITTLE DIPSHIT!!!! GOD, HELP ME THAT I WANT MY STUDENTS TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE AND SUCCEED!!!!)

But I digress, back to tutoring. On Monday, one of my tutoring students, we'll call her "Wood" asked me, "Ms. G, are we having tutoring today?"

"No, baby I have to go therapy. We will meet on Wednesday."

"Wood" gave me a funny look and returned to her seat. At the end of the day, as we were walking to the bus lot she asked again, "So we are not staying after school?"

"No, I have a doctor's appointment."

"Do you really go to therapy?" she asked. I could tell she was thinking about this all day.

"Yes." I answered.

Still thinking, (I could actually see the gears turning in her head) "But isn't therapy, for like, crazy people?"

I smiled. It's amazing how kids think and what goes through their little uncultivated minds. "No, sweetie. Sometimes adults just need time to talk to someone about things that are going on in their life. It's nice to have another adult to listen and not judge them."

Wood : "So, you are like, my therapist. Because you listen to me and help me."

Me : "Yeah. I guess you could say that." Funny, I never thought about it that way. "But if that's the case, I need you to pay me $100 everytime you 'talk' to me."

Wood: "Dang, you must be rich or something, because only rich white people go to therapy."

Me : "No, babe. It's called 'Health Insurance'. I only pay a little my insurance takes care of the rest."

Wood: "But why do you need to go?"

I had to laugh a little. "Because you all get on my nerves, and in order that I don't "Go crazy" like you said, I need to go to therapy to make sure I'm not driven off the deep in."

I could actually see the light bulb go off in her head. She laughed and with a smile says, "I got you, Ms. G! We are really bad sometimes, and I'm glad that you get to talk to someone so that you can come back to teach us. Have fun at therapy!" And with that she skirted off to get in on her bus.

I just stood there thinking, "Me too, Wood. Me too!"

A dedication...

This post is dedicate to my favorite blogger, Ms. Mimi at :
www.itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com

Seriously, it's my favorite educational blog. (Well, after mine of course). Take time to go and view all of the great posts. But this is my favorite because it echos my thoughts and sentiments exactly. So here it is:

This blog is dedicated to all the ass-kicking teachers out there (especially those in public elementary schools- holla)!! I have taught in the public system myself for many years and am currently pursuing my second advanced degree in education.

Teaching is my passion and I love nothing more than being with my students. However...teaching isn't all rainbows and kittens...there's a whole other side to teaching which makes it one of the most difficult, mind-bending excercises in patience ever!!! I whole heartedly believe that teachers demand a million times more respect and consideration than they currently recieve. Who else could shape the future of education better?

Just FYI for those of you who don't know a teacher personally...it's not all half glasses, flat behinds and thematic sweaters. The teachers I have met are some of the smartest, funniest most amazing people ever and they shatter the stereotype most of you have in your mind. We're not Michelle Pheiffer in Dangerous Minds, but we're also not up-tight b*tches with meter sticks.

Basically, there are two types of peoples working in schools....my fellow rockstars and a bunch of IDIOTS who have no business near a school. And these are the monkeys who are dragging the rest of us down. Seriously, it sounds harsh, but there are some real losers out there who really did take the job for the few days we have off in the summer (please, don't even start with me with the whole "must be nice to have summers off" crap because it's NOT the whole summer, it's about 7 weeks, and it's long overdue since I hold my urine for eight hours a day, five days a week, 180 days a year).
These people are the ones who can't master the photo copier, feel it is beneath them to work a full day and insist on leaving before the children do. Come on teachers, you know who I'm talking about. That lazy moron who shows up in the middle of your math lesson and wants you to chat, or that lazy staff developer who spends her morning reading the newspaper while you are running morning meeting....do I need to continue?Well, this blog is ABOUT them and DEDICATED to YOU!! (because you ROCK!!!!)

This is my attempt to not let those jerkoffs get to me, to make me laugh at their ridiculousness and to keep me focused on what really is important....the kids.

No! This didn't happen to you too!

This week, a colleague of mine came to me inquiring about one of my little darlings being suspened! I was totally confused! I had not given him a write up, nor did I know about any misbehavior from his other classes! What misbehavior had taken place that I was not aware of? It must be a mistake!

I went searching for the Assistant Principal to inquire about the incident. She was not in her office, so I walked across the hall to the home of our fearless leader.

"Ms. Leader, quick question, would you happened to know why "The Man" was suspended? He's not here today, but I just assumed he was sick until I was told by Ms. FaFa that he had a refferal."

"Yes, I suspended him!" responded our Leader.

"Oh. OK. Well may I ask what happened, because I was not aware of any incidents arising."

She proceed to tell me the following story:

"Well yesterday, there was an incident of the bus. Ms. Assistant Leader went on the bus to relieve the situation, he was being very rude and disrespectful. She had to take him off the bus, and brought him to my office to call his mother. When he entered my office, he was yelling and screaming at Ms. Assistant Leader, smacking his lips and rolling his eyes. I told him to change his attitude and he refused and was rude and disrespectful to me! Once his mother showed up, he continued to be disrespectful to her, and continued to have an attitude with me. So I told him he was suspended for two days, until he learned some manners! A student can not disrespect their Principal like that, rolling his eyes and smacking his lips."

"The Man" being disrespectful to an authority figure. Shock and awe! I tell you, Shock and awe!

"Well Leaders," I proceeded, "Welcome to my world. I get disrespected every day by "The Man". If I am not cussed out by him, it is one of my other darlings that have to save face infront of their peers. I've written him up several times because of his attitude, why should this time be any different?"

"You just can't come into the Principal's office carrying on like that and being disrespectful."

"What did his mother say about his suspension?" I asked.

"She just said that she knew his attitude would get him in trouble one day. He was being extremely rude to her as well."

"Well, I'm glad she knows that it's not just me. And that I'm not just picking on him."

"No, I will not accept that behavior."

"Um, I hope you understand that I don't either. But smacking his lips and rolling his eyes is a daily occurence with "The Man". If I would write him up for every offense I would spend my days just writing refferals."

"Well, you just don't do that to your Principal."

With that I left, learning a valuable lesson:

A student my cuss his/her teacher out daily, rolling his/her eyes, smacking his/her lips. He/She may threaten to kill teachers and other students. Violently thrashing about the classroom, and proposing to attack anyone who gets in their way. They may run out of class, tripping over the garbage can and act like complete lunatics. But if you disrespect a principal, only then will you have the consquence of suspension.

Gee, I must have been absent when they taught that one in my education classes!