Common Core isn't the devil

I am so sick of people bashing Common Core. Most of the time, people don't even know what they are talking about. They just "heard" that Common Core is "bad", so they jump on that bandwagon. It's reminds me of how people thought the New Orleans Saints were a horrible team, then they won the Super Bowl and everyone became a Saints fan.  Well, I was a Saints fan since birth, and through good times and bad, I'll always e a Saints fan! (Thanks Dad!)

Here are some common misconceptions about Common Core:

1. "These new standards are ridiculous." : Well, I hate to tell you think but these are not "new" standards. Every state has had standards for years.  They just called them something different in each state. In Louisiana, they were called GLEs ( Grade Level Expectations) The new part is when governors got together and assembled a group of people to say what students should know at the different grade levels to be successful in the next.  This group started with the end in mind. They said for a graduating high school senior to be prepared for college they have to know this....  Then said, for that senior to be prepared, during his junior year he needs to know this..... And on and on, they did this all the way to kindergarteners. Each year, preparing them for that next step.

2. "The Common Core dumbs down education" : Quite the contrary. The CC MAKES students think deeper into problems.  Instead of saying, this is how you multiply, 5 x 5 = 25, it shows when you add 5 groups 5 times you can get 25, show me. The student would then make 5 group with 5 dots in each group and the student would count all the dots. The student will discover for himself that this will work ALL THE TIME. But instead of just telling them, we have students discover the result themselves. Hence, making their learning a discovery, rather than a procedure. This will enable students to have students take part in their learning and allows them a deeper sense of WHAT they are learning. 

3. "Common Core makes students jump through hoops to find a simple answer." This is probably the biggest misconception.  NO WHERE in the CCSS does it say, HOW students are to learn these standards.

 Here is proof of that statement: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/
 

You can then go to each grade level and see what students should learn for a particular grade level. 

Here is proof of that statement: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/4/NBT/ 

I just chose one element of a fourth grade standard. You can pick and choose what standard & grade level you would like to explore.

Now, that you have had an exploration, (hopefully) did you find ONE PLACE where it told you HOW to work a problem..... NO, YOU DIDN'T!!! And there lies the problem.  So what is all the fuss about? What happened was that from this blue print, of WHAT we need to teach, those writing CURRICULUM made "the plans" for HOW the standards are taught. When writing the plans, curriculum writers made choices on how to teach this curriculum.  THIS IS WHERE PARENTS ARE FINDING MATERIAL FOR THEIR ARGUMENTS!!!!!! It is not the standards that they have concerns with, it is the IMPLEMENTATION of the standards. But parents don't realize that this is NOT a state mandate, curriculum is chosen by individual school districts and in some cases, individual schools choose what curriculum they will teach, what textbooks they will use and what program they will follow. But again, this is not the blue print! 

Look at it this way: If you and I were given the task of building a house, we would need a "blue print" to determine what the house will look like. But how you build the house, and how I build the house will be different based on how we PLAN to build.  You may use straw. I may use bricks. But the outcome (hopefully) will be the same. We will ultimately build the same house. Now, think about this in the terms of curriculum. We both delivered the same result (preparation for college), but whose house will resist the blow of the BIG BAD WOLF? My bricks will give you a firmer foundation (how students are taught) that won't falter, when I get into college. 

Things Overheard in the Classroom

Here are a few memories of past classrooms that still keep me and my colleagues laughing to this day. Some, I guess you just had to be there. Some, you won't believe. Some, may have you laughing so hard you pee in your pants. In any case, I hope you will enjoy ALL!

• Student walking down the hallway first thing in the mornng, nibbling on something that I can't quite make out:

Me: "Princess, what are you eating?"

Student: "Ribs!"

Me: pointing behind her "Go to the bathroom and throw that away! That is inappropriate to bring into my classroom!"

Student: "Aw, man Ms. Guidry, dis my breakfast! I didn't have time to eat it in the car!"

Me: "That is an inappropriate breakfast for school. You want breakfast? Go down to the cafeteria and each a nutrious breakfast! You are not going to sit at your desk and eat RIBS IN MY CLASSROOM!! Now, go to the bathroom and wash your hands."

Student: reluctantly "Yes ma'am."

A little later in the day, a fellow colleague (after I relayed the story) asked the student what she had for breakfast this morning.

The student nonchalantly replied, "Ribs! You want some? I still have some in my jacket pocket?"

• When learning new spelling words for the week, I always make students either write a sentence to show they understand the meaning of the word. One student, who was older than his classmates due to failing twice, thought he was the bees knees. You know, the kind of "bad boy" that all the girls like. Anyway, as we were going around the room reading our spelling sentences, this students' hand flies in the air to share his sentence.

Me: "Ok, next word. Optical, who can give me a sentence with the word, optical?"

Student: "Ooo, ooo Ms. Guidry, I got this! I got this!"

Surprised, but happy that the sometime troublemaker was on task, had completed his homework and wanted to participate (small victories, people. Small victories) I called on him for the answer.

Me: "Ok, The Man, give me what you got?"

Smiling from ear to ear, as proud as he could be, he replied: "My optical nerve looks good."

• As I am walking around the class checking homework assignments, I come upon one student who is "looking" for his homework. I can tell (teachers just know this stuff) that he had not done the assignment.

Me: "T, do you have your homework?"

Student, looking up from his bookbag: "I can't find it."

Me, knowing a good lie when I hear one: "T, don't lie to me? Do you have your homework?"

Student: shaking his head.

Me: "Why don't you have your homework?"

Student: "I didn't have time to do it."

Me, giving enough rope for him to hang: "T, what time did you get home yesterday?"

Student: "Like 4:00."

Me: "Uh huh, and what time did you go to bed?"

Student: "Like 9:00."

Me: "So 9 - 4 is 5. Are you telling me that in 5 hours, you couldn't do your homework?"

Student: "No, because we had tacos."

Ok, so now I am not sure where this is going, so I HAVE to ask:

"What does having tacos for dinner have to do with you not having your homework?"

Student: "Cause the tomatos were behind the meat and it took a long time to fix my plate."

At this point, I didn't see any need to continue the conversation.

• At recess, a student comes up to me:

Student: "Ms. Guidry, do you like dogs or kittens?"

Me: "I don't have a dog or a cat, babe. Ms. Guidry can't even take care of herself."

Student: "No, you have to choose one. Dogs or Kittens?"

Me: "Ok, If I HAVE to choose, I guess I'll say dogs."

Student: "No, you have to choose kittens because you are a girl and girls go with kittens, and boys go with dogs. So you have to choose kittens."

Me: "Ok, kittens."

Student: "Good choice." as he runs away to go play with the others. Leaving me thinking, was there really a need for me to BE in that conversation?

• A student comes to my classroom sent by another teacher:

Student: "Ms. Guidry, do you have some ex-lax for my back?"

Me: "Some what for your back?"

Student: "Ex-Lax."

Me: "Baby, you don't take ex-lax for your back. You take ex-lax when you have too much gas in your stomach."

Student: "I know, but mine is in my back."

Ok, then.

• I have been teaching at a low-socioeconomic school going on 5 years now. All of my students have been african-american, with the exception of maybe 2 in 5 years. We often get into discussions about race relations and how we are sterotyped based on the color of our skin. During my first year, we were having a discussion about how people in the neighborhood view "outsiders":

Student: "Ms. Guidry, I'll be straight up. People in my neighborhood don't like white people."

Me: "Really? Why's that?"

Student: "I don't know. That's just how they be."

Me: "So you're telling me that if I came into your neighborhood, people wouldn't like me."

Student: "Nah, Ms. Guidry, they'll like you."

Me: "Well, I'm white and you just said that people in your neighborhood don't like white people. So...."

Student: "Yeah, but you just white on the outside. You really black on the inside."

Me: (thinking) "Ok, so I won't have any problems coming to your house. Even though I'm white and people will SEE me as white."

Student: "But if you come down my sckreet, you'd be scraight, 'cause you really black and you wit me. I'll tell'em."

Ah, if only race relations and equality would be as simple as a fourth grader, that we all could just "tell'em the color on the inside".

• Many students have learned that SOME teachers are afraid when parents get involved. Students often take advantage of the teacher, especially first year teachers, with a simple saying of : "I'm gonna tell my momma!"

But that DOESN'T work for me, Ms. Guidry. As many of my students say, "Ms. Guidry don't play like dat!"

However, students don't get to me till the fourth grade, and often times I find myself "meeting" with younger children in the hall, or common areas and they have not learned about Ms. Guidry yet!

This happened once with a second grader, who was having an argument in the hallway with another student. I came between the arugment to help solve the "beef" that the children were in the middle of. At this time, one of the second graders began shouting obcenitites at me. So, in true teacher fashion, I gave approproate grade level consequences and separated him from the group in a "time out" fashion, if you will.

Immediately, the mean-spirited second grader yelled out, "I'ma tell my momma you punished me. That ain't fair, cause you ain't my teacher!" This was definitely a challenge to me, to which other teachers have often folded. Except this challenge was going to be different.

As a smrik came over my face, I squatted down looking the student eye to eye, and replied in a very soft gentle voice, "Good! Tell yo mamma to call me. Would like like my number? Or she could call school and ask for Ms. Guidry. Would you like me to write that down for you? Because I WANT to talk to your mother and tell her about your nasty attitude and how disrespectful you are to your classmates and to other adults."

The student became really quiet. And I stood up and walked away.

I don't know if it was my demeanor or the voice I spoke in, or the challenge that I put to this student. But I never heard from the student's mother, and for the rest of the year, everytime I saw this student again he would wave and say, "Hey Ms. Guidry!" This was usually concluded with a hug.

Teachable moment? Done and Done!

What kids are really learning in school?

What kids are really learning in schools? 

#1) When you have a job, but don't feel like doing work, have your mom write a note. Then, you will be excused. 

#2) Thinking and researching is optional, if you don't know something, it's ok. Google it.

#3) If you don't want to do work, just say you have to go to the bathroom. If the teacher won't let you out of class, see rule #1. (Do this for every class, in every subject & you want have to do any work.)

#4) If you are stopped for speeding, just tell the officer, you are dyslexic and can't read so you were not sure what the speed limit was.

#5) If you are ever arrested, just say it's because you are ADD or ADHD and cannot control your behavior or your actions. 

#6) When you are arrested for yelling at, cussing at or walking away from an the police, just tell them you have ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) and do not respond well to authority. 

#7) When you are in front of the judge for your sentencing, bring a copy of your IEP or 504 plan to show the judge all the things that you can't do because of your "disability". (This should also be given to your boss, that way he can't make you do work, or anything else that you don't want to do. If this doesn't work, see #1.)

#8) Make sure that your job gives you all of your modifications / accommodations on your IEP or 504 plan to ensure that you are working "at your level". This should include, but is not limited to, a "safe" "cool down" place for when you get angry at your colleagues, someone to read everything that you might be asked to do, a calculator for all math, extended time for tasks, multiple choice answers with 3 of the 4 answers eliminated etc)

9) Anytime you feel "threatened" by your superior because they are asking you to do your job & complete a task, get your parents to attack the person in charge by insulting their character, professionalism & job performance. After all, they are paid with your tax money, they work for you! 

#10) Because of your "disability" or the "hard life" that you have endured, you really shouldn't be working at all. So just stay home and allow the government to pick up the check. It is after all your right! You've "worked" very hard to get through grades K-12.....well, close enough.

I FINALLY PASSED!

So, I know that it's been a long time since I have written an entry. But as most of you know, the life of a teacher is constantly busy, and unfortunately, life got in the way of me being able to share my words.  I am trying to fix that now and hopefully, will be blogging more frequently.

So here is what's going on with me.  I am no longer a 4th grade teacher.  After 6 years, I have finally passed and been promoted to the FIFTH GRADE!!! YES! LOL. 

I was asked by my principal to improve our scores and move to a grade with high stakes testing.  Though I was frightened, at first, I am actually coming around to LOVE the 5th grade! The best part of this move is that I got to loop with my class from last year. I got my babies back and it has been wonderful! Not just for me, but for them as well.  We began the year without missing a beat.  They know me, and I know them (and all their tricks & excuses). So we got through all the bumps quickly and have hit the ground running this year with learning.  I am taking them to that next level and continue the job that I didn't quite get to complete last year. 

We've been having so much fun and have started many projects, getting them ready for middle school.  Stay tuned for all the high jinxs that I'm sure to follow in the upcoming year.

Before I leave for now, I must share with you an answer I received on our first Social Studies test.  The first chapter was on Geography.  In fifth grade, we focus on American History.  One of the questions that I asked was :
           Explain the difference in the land form of the state of Florida and the state of Hawaii.

Here's one student's answer:
          The difference is Hawaii has beaches and Florida has Disney World. 

I think I may have to do some reteach.

Another 180 days have come and gone so quickly...

Well, I made it! Another year down, that's 5 years already, with only 20 more to go!

I can't believe that I've been teaching for 5 years! It seems like just yesterday, I began my student teaching. With this completion, I am also out of the "new teacher danger zone". This is the statistic, according to the National Education Association, that half of all new U.S. teachers are likely to quit within the first five years of their career due to poor working conditions and low salaries.

Having taught in one of the worst schools in my area and then at one of the best, the differences within each school are night and day. Unfortunately, usually the only openings for new teachers are in the schools that no one else wants to teach in. So being faced with this poor working conditions is very likely and I understand how new teachers coming into the field can be discouraged.

When teachers are in their education classes, they are encouraged to hit the ground running and change the lives of their students. In theory, it's a beautiful "yellow-brick road" scenario, filled with rainbows, sunshine and lollipops. In reality, future teachers are not prepared for the amount of paperwork needed to be completed on a daily basis; many students, who may be bigger than the teachers themselves and who are constantly disruptive in class; as well as teachers unable to relate to lives and home environment of their students. These are several issues that are NOT taught in college education classes. Inevitably, new teachers come upon these problems within the first few weeks of schools, and many who hit the ground running, end up hitting a huge brick wall. Multiply this with what seems like insurmountable odds year after year, and it is quite obvious why we lose so many good, young teachers.

The deck is already stacked against new teachers. Add to this the little salary that a first year teacher makes, and anyone with common sense would get out of the business. It's a sad, but honest fact, there's no incentive to stay in education anymore.

So why and how do I manage to do it? Why do I keep coming back? It's very simple - the kids! My students are the reason I continue coming back for more, year after year. Let's face it, no one gets into education for the money. There are not huge bonuses for meeting billable hours. There is not a huge salary to be paid if we go above and beyond. There is practically no way to ensure that you are even going to get a pay raise every year. But what we do have is HOPE.

Hope, that maybe a student we teach and inspire, will one day find a cure for cancer, save the lives of many, or become President of the United States. Hope, that in the great universe of karmic connections, the good that we do everyday will come back to us ten-fold. Hope, that we will make a difference in the lives of those we teach, and show each and every student their true potential of what they can accomplish in their future.

If you do this within one year, you have 180 tries to accomplish these tasks. Over your career, this number increases to 4500; more if you can hang in longer.

Make no mistake, teaching is HARD! You have to have a thick skin and a soft heart. But the rewards of your job are worth every challenge you overcome. When a child finally "gets" the lesson you are a teaching, and a light bulb goes off in their head and a huge smile comes across their face, that small fraction of a second, is MY yearly bonus. No, it may not be monetary in value, but it IS money to my soul!

This Pri$e of Teaching

I know why more teachers drop out of the profession within 5 years. Teaching is hard. REALLY hard!!! I am in my fifth year now and I am ready to implode. This time of the year is the most difficult. With spring break 10 days away, (yes, I'm counting) my students are getting on my last nerves and I know that I am getting on theirs.

Today I implemented a new "pencil policy". Basically it says that no one can use a pencil for the rest of the year unless 1) they have a signed permission slip from their parents, 2) parents buy pencils and sharpeners for their students and 3) students agree to be responsible for their own pencils and cleaning up the pencil sharpener shavings after use. This comes after the 4th, (yes, 4th!) pencil sharpener that I have bought this year, was broken when a student decided to sharpen the eraser part of a pencil. At first, I thought it was a crayon, which sent me into a magenta rage! (Evidently, it is now cool to have a pencil with both sides sharpened. However, then I get to hear, "Ms. G, can I have an eraser?" or "I can't do my test, I don't have a pencil.")My response? "That's fine, use a crayon." If you want to act like a kindergarter, I will treat you like a kindergarten and we will all use crayons to complete our work. "But how will students complete state tests with crayons?" you ask. I am not sure, but if they can't be responsible enough to keep a pencil from one day to another, how will they survive in middle school, when they have several teachers and lockers with two minutes to change classes.

As a caution, I sent parents a letter today to explain the new policy and my reason for such a drastic measure. I gave out my cell number with a note saying to please call me with any questions or concerns. I thought for sure my phone would be bombarded with calls and messages before I left school for the day. But after 3 hours of being home, no calls. Not one. This either means that parents understand my point, or students haven't given parents the letter yet.

Everyone always agrees that teachers have the hardest job, and don't get paid enough for the job they do. But sometimes, this is just lip service. If people really felt this way, send me supplies! Most people do not grasp the concept that EVERYTHING in my classroom comes out of my own pocket, and I do mean everything!!! The tests that students take every week, a box of paper $35.00. Loose leaf paper or notebooks use to write notes and learn information and concepts, $1.99 during the school year, cheaper if you take advantage of school sales in August. Think about how much a parent might spend on supplies at the beginning of a school year. Not counting clothes, $200 at the most. Now take that and multiply it by an average class size (20 kids). That's $2000 at the beginning of the year. By January, these supplies are done-zo! So another batch of supplies is needed at mid year! If I buy this out of pocket, (which I usually do)that's 10% of my salary! (Again, I need to put a disclaimer that these are estimates, but they are not really far fetched. Beginning teachers have it a lot worse because they have more expenses since they are buying everything from scratch. This means posters, bulletin board paper, pencils, papers etc. Plus, their salaries average about $25,000 a year)

Now that I broke down the money situation, is it any wonder why teachers leave the profession? Or why I work a "part time" job, but really average 40 hours a week? Do you know any other profession where you must buy your basic necessities needed to complete your daily job? Have you ever bought pens, copy paper or post it notes out of your own pocket? Do you do this twice a year? And don't even get me started on the hours that I log in over time, at night or on weekends. Would you leave your current job for half the pay but twice the work?

But whenever this argument comes up, the naysayers always have the same response: "Teachers get summers off, two weeks at Christmas and a week off for Spring Break!" Ok, let's do that math. Summer starts mid June and begins mid August. This is around eight weeks. Count in holidays and that make around 10 weeks. Businesses usually allows two weeks vacation time. So we are really looking at 8 weeks vacation that I am "allowed" more than you, which comes to 320 hours. Between lesson plans and grading papers, I usually work 4 hours a night during the week (not counting weekends). That comes to 20 hours a week. School lasts for 180 days, so that's 3600 extra hours that I accumulate. That's a mark up of 9% more hours than you work in a fiscal year. Again, my I remind you that you probably also make twice than me. So, in conclusion you pay me half of your salary, I will work my 8 weeks of "vacation" time during the school year.

How you like them apples?

"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!

Parent - Teacher conference #2

Last year, in an effort to make my 100% participation from parents at conferences, I had to try to be a little creative (such an important trait for a teacher).

I had schedule all my conference for one day and most parents said they could meet on this day. I had a few parents that requested another time due to their work schedule, which I was more than happy to oblige. By any means, right?

There was one parent (who later became a thorn in my side all year) that couldn't bother to drag herself out of bed to come for a scheduled conference. This was not surprising to me since she had three other students in my school and two of these students were having MAJOR problems in school, and she never bothered to show her face. These students included a kindergartner who would throw VIOLENT temper tantrums at school because she didn't want to be there. Ultimately, this little girl was switched teachers, in order to try and make her feel safe, given incentives for every hour she didn't' throw a tantrum and stayed at school, and basically was given the option to not even be in class, as long as she was at school, this was considered a huge accomplishment.

But I digress. Anyway, about a week after several attempts to meet with this "no show" parent, I was at my wits end. This one unconcerned parent was keeping me from reaching my 100% goal. What could I do to get this parent to meet with me? I was considering a home visit, when the "conference gods" smiled upon me and gave me a solution.

It seemed that her other "troubled" child, who was in the third grade, decided to kick, hit and hurt his teacher along with trashing through his class, with the force of a tornado. Due to the extreme nature of this incident the police had to called, and they in turned tried to contact the parent. Even with this situation, "Ms. No Show" didn't feel it necessary to be bothered to come to school and obtain her son. The police paid a visit to her home and basically gave her the ultimatum of either coming to school or going to jail. She chose school.

It just so happened that I was in the office as this mother was being escorted into the Principal's office. I stayed around for a bit. While the officers talked to her and explained the severity of her non-parenting skills, I waited for my chance. And then it happened. The officers stepped out of the office to speak with teacher and principal about the incident that had transpired. With folder in hand, I scooted into the office to conference with the parent. Bold, huh?

I told her that I knew she had a lot on her plate at the moment and I hated to add one more thing, but if I could just have a minute, we could discuss her child's progress in my class and then she could get back to the matter at hand. She agreed, we talked and discussed concerns I had with her child. She signed the conference form and I was in and out before the police returned. As I walked away down the hall, proud of my huge coup, I was stopped by my assistant principal and asked why I was coming out of the Principal's office, where the police had been and Ms. No Show was stationed.

I simply replied with a smirk, "Oh, I just had a parent-teacher conference with Ms. No Show. This was the only time she could come in."

"You just held a conference with her? While she is in police custody?" she asked.
"Yep, sure did. Oh and here is my conference sheet, as you can see I made 100% participation again this year. Hope this helps you with downtown."

I handed her the sheet and walked away with her mouth still open.

Victory was mine!