I'm a dominoe, or so I'm being told by the powers that be at school. They still haven't told me where and what I'm going to be teaching next year! They were supposed to tell me by the 28th of March. They were supposed to tell me by April 4th, 11th, 18th, and now they're telling me the dominoes are still falling and they're not sure where I am going to land. This has been hanging over me since January. Now the other two reading teachers are kind of freaking out because they've just realized that if I'm not here next year, all of the paperwork I've taken care of for the past 4 years will now be up to them. When asked about what forms I planned on revising for next year, I informed them that if I was moved into a regular classroom in another building that I wouldn't have time to do the paperwork next year, that it would be their responsibility. I just want it decided before the middle or the end of July so I can start preparing over the summer, especially if they move me to first grade with a curriculum I've never taught. More importantly, I just wish the rumors would stop flying and everyone would leave me alone and quit asking me a hundred times a day, "Have you heard anything?" I'm just a lowly domino. They're not going to tell me anything.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I'm a what???
I'm a dominoe, or so I'm being told by the powers that be at school. They still haven't told me where and what I'm going to be teaching next year! They were supposed to tell me by the 28th of March. They were supposed to tell me by April 4th, 11th, 18th, and now they're telling me the dominoes are still falling and they're not sure where I am going to land. This has been hanging over me since January. Now the other two reading teachers are kind of freaking out because they've just realized that if I'm not here next year, all of the paperwork I've taken care of for the past 4 years will now be up to them. When asked about what forms I planned on revising for next year, I informed them that if I was moved into a regular classroom in another building that I wouldn't have time to do the paperwork next year, that it would be their responsibility. I just want it decided before the middle or the end of July so I can start preparing over the summer, especially if they move me to first grade with a curriculum I've never taught. More importantly, I just wish the rumors would stop flying and everyone would leave me alone and quit asking me a hundred times a day, "Have you heard anything?" I'm just a lowly domino. They're not going to tell me anything.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Why Bother?
I had class yesterday and I found out that the group project isn't going to be that bad. I was a little concerned until I found out who was in my group. We quickly made a task list, assigned each one our jobs, and set up our next meeting.
One interesting piece of information came from one of the other group members. All of us in our class got to comparing grades. No one in the class has higher than a low B average. Then we got to comparing our scores on individual assignments as well as the "notes" the professor (the minion of Satan) had made. Amazingly, we all had the same notes which read: "Not specific." That's it. What's not specific? Is it my examples? Is it my sentences? Is it my information? What? When one of my fellow group members, Sean, e-mailed the professor and asked him to elaborate and give him some pointers or examples of how specific he wants us to be to get an A, he wrote Sean back and told him that if he was truly capable of graduate level work, he wouldn't be asking this question. What? The last time I checked, there were several students in my class, including Sean, who are card carrying members of MENSA. I'm not one of them, but I'm not the dullest tool in the shed either. I hold my on and do quite well, even in difficult classes that are a lot of work. I've never been afraid of working hard. Then the e-mail went on to state that he starts grading at a B and goes down from there. Then why bother putting forth an A effort if all that's possible is a B? At least if I do B work, I'll have earned my B. To say that I'm looking forward to the end of this class is an understatement. Once again, I'm going to have to write a very negative evaluation. I hate to be that way, but sometimes it has to be done. When I taught in a regular classroom, I didn't run my class this way. If you did A work, you earned an A. If you did B work, you earned a B. I didn't grade easy either, but I was fair. In my mind, that's what a good teacher or professor does, but apparently not this guy. It just ticks me off that I've spent an entire semester struggling along with my fellow students, not getting any help from our professor, being made to feel stupid everytime we ask questions, and we paid over a thousand dollars for this class. I don't think I'm getting my money's worth.
One interesting piece of information came from one of the other group members. All of us in our class got to comparing grades. No one in the class has higher than a low B average. Then we got to comparing our scores on individual assignments as well as the "notes" the professor (the minion of Satan) had made. Amazingly, we all had the same notes which read: "Not specific." That's it. What's not specific? Is it my examples? Is it my sentences? Is it my information? What? When one of my fellow group members, Sean, e-mailed the professor and asked him to elaborate and give him some pointers or examples of how specific he wants us to be to get an A, he wrote Sean back and told him that if he was truly capable of graduate level work, he wouldn't be asking this question. What? The last time I checked, there were several students in my class, including Sean, who are card carrying members of MENSA. I'm not one of them, but I'm not the dullest tool in the shed either. I hold my on and do quite well, even in difficult classes that are a lot of work. I've never been afraid of working hard. Then the e-mail went on to state that he starts grading at a B and goes down from there. Then why bother putting forth an A effort if all that's possible is a B? At least if I do B work, I'll have earned my B. To say that I'm looking forward to the end of this class is an understatement. Once again, I'm going to have to write a very negative evaluation. I hate to be that way, but sometimes it has to be done. When I taught in a regular classroom, I didn't run my class this way. If you did A work, you earned an A. If you did B work, you earned a B. I didn't grade easy either, but I was fair. In my mind, that's what a good teacher or professor does, but apparently not this guy. It just ticks me off that I've spent an entire semester struggling along with my fellow students, not getting any help from our professor, being made to feel stupid everytime we ask questions, and we paid over a thousand dollars for this class. I don't think I'm getting my money's worth.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Freedom is close...
There is light at the end of the tunnel. I only have one more project due for this semester. What is not so cool is that it's a group project and according to e-mail from my professor who is a minion of Satan, everyone in the group will get the same grade. Translation: one or two of us will do the work, the rest will slide and get the same grade. I thought I left this kind of crap behind as an undergrad. I'm wanting to rebel, but I need my grade first!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
In this season of severe weather and MAP testing....
For all of my teacher friends out there, here's a humorous addition to all of those pesky testing protocols we're supposed to follow, courtesy of our school counselor.
With the possibility of sever weather ahead of us I am forwarding you some additional test security protocol. Please read carefully, as you will be held accountable.
Severe Weather Testing Protocols During Testing*
1. Should a severe weather situation occur during testing,
please remain calm. To display any kind of anxiety would be
a testing irregularity and must be reported.
2. Please do not look out the window to watch for
approaching tornadoes. You must monitor the students at all
times. To do otherwise would be a testing irregularity and
must be reported.
3. Should students notice an approaching tornado and begin
to cry, please make every effort to protect their testing
materials from the flow of tears and sinus drainage.
4. Should a flying object come through your window during
testing, please make every effort to ensure that it does not
land on a testing booklet or an answer sheet. Please make
sure to soften the landing of the flying object so that it
will not disturb the students while testing.
5. Should shards of glass from a broken window come flying
into the room, have the students use their bodies to shield
their testing materials so that they will not be damaged.
Have plenty of gauze on hand to ensure that no one
accidentally bleeds on the answer documents. Damaged answer
sheets will not scan properly.
6. Should gale force winds ensue, please have everyone stuff
their test booklets and answer sheets into their
shirts...being very careful not to bend them because bent
answer documents will not scan properly.
7. If any student gets sucked into the vortex of the funnel
cloud, please make sure they mark at least one answer before
departing...and of course make sure they leave their answer
sheets and test booklets behind. You will have to account
for those.
8. Should a funnel cloud pick you, the test administrator,
up and take you flying over the rainbow, you will still be
required to account for all of your testing materials when
you land so please take extra precautions. Remember, once
you have checked them out, they should never leave your
hands.
9. When rescue workers arrive to dig you out of the rubble,
please make sure that they do not, at any time, look at or
handle the testing materials. Once you have been treated for
your injuries, you will still be responsible for checking
your materials back in. Search dogs will not be allowed to
sift through the rubble for lost tests...unless of course
they have been through standardized test training.
10. Please do not pray should a severe weather situation
arise. Your priority is to actively monitor the test and a
student might mark in the wrong section if you are praying
instead of monitoring. I'm sure God will put war, world
hunger, crime, and the presidential primaries on hold until
after testing is over. He knows how important this test is.
With the possibility of sever weather ahead of us I am forwarding you some additional test security protocol. Please read carefully, as you will be held accountable.
Severe Weather Testing Protocols During Testing*
1. Should a severe weather situation occur during testing,
please remain calm. To display any kind of anxiety would be
a testing irregularity and must be reported.
2. Please do not look out the window to watch for
approaching tornadoes. You must monitor the students at all
times. To do otherwise would be a testing irregularity and
must be reported.
3. Should students notice an approaching tornado and begin
to cry, please make every effort to protect their testing
materials from the flow of tears and sinus drainage.
4. Should a flying object come through your window during
testing, please make every effort to ensure that it does not
land on a testing booklet or an answer sheet. Please make
sure to soften the landing of the flying object so that it
will not disturb the students while testing.
5. Should shards of glass from a broken window come flying
into the room, have the students use their bodies to shield
their testing materials so that they will not be damaged.
Have plenty of gauze on hand to ensure that no one
accidentally bleeds on the answer documents. Damaged answer
sheets will not scan properly.
6. Should gale force winds ensue, please have everyone stuff
their test booklets and answer sheets into their
shirts...being very careful not to bend them because bent
answer documents will not scan properly.
7. If any student gets sucked into the vortex of the funnel
cloud, please make sure they mark at least one answer before
departing...and of course make sure they leave their answer
sheets and test booklets behind. You will have to account
for those.
8. Should a funnel cloud pick you, the test administrator,
up and take you flying over the rainbow, you will still be
required to account for all of your testing materials when
you land so please take extra precautions. Remember, once
you have checked them out, they should never leave your
hands.
9. When rescue workers arrive to dig you out of the rubble,
please make sure that they do not, at any time, look at or
handle the testing materials. Once you have been treated for
your injuries, you will still be responsible for checking
your materials back in. Search dogs will not be allowed to
sift through the rubble for lost tests...unless of course
they have been through standardized test training.
10. Please do not pray should a severe weather situation
arise. Your priority is to actively monitor the test and a
student might mark in the wrong section if you are praying
instead of monitoring. I'm sure God will put war, world
hunger, crime, and the presidential primaries on hold until
after testing is over. He knows how important this test is.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Good News!
Sebrina found out today that she got the job! As of May 12th, she'll be working and living in Springfield, MO. Keep her and Joe in your prayers as they make the move out this week and she makes the flight back to finish out the school year.
My fate is being decided this evening at the school board meeting. Hopefully I'll be able to post what I'll be teaching next year. In a way, I really am hoping for the 1st grade position. I think it may be time for a change and once again being on my own in a classroom. I'll keep you posted as the news comes down the line.
My fate is being decided this evening at the school board meeting. Hopefully I'll be able to post what I'll be teaching next year. In a way, I really am hoping for the 1st grade position. I think it may be time for a change and once again being on my own in a classroom. I'll keep you posted as the news comes down the line.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Life Update
Sorry for no communication. The month of March roared in and out like a lion for me! I'm still not caught up on all of the stuff I'm supposed to get done, but I'm gradually learning to live with this perpetual feeling of futility!
1. Job: I'm not sure where and what I'm going to be teaching next year. In January, we were informed that it might be possible that one of the reading teachers in our building would be moved to a lower elementary building. One of the other teachers pounded her fist on the desk and basically said she wasn't moving and they couldn't make her move. The other one slapped me on the back and said, "It's been nice working with you." My response was, "I need a job." I hate to tell the other two, the boss can tell you where you're going and even if you're tenured, there's not a whole lot you can do about it. As a result, things have been a little tense. Our assistant superintendent has met with me and asked me what I'd be willing to teach. I told her I've gone as high in the grades as I need to go. If I've learned anything from teaching 7th grade PSR it's that I do not have the gift for teaching junior high students. There may be the possibility of me teaching a 1st grade at-risk classroom. Everyone thinks I'm insane, but I figure 15 at risk students with a teacher's aid is nothing compared to the 100 at-risk 5th and 6th graders I deal with every day right now. Up here, at-risk would pretty much be my entire class in Matthews. At least in 1st grade I doubt any of them would be stealing their parent's car to go to their gang initiation. (Yep, that happened with one of my 4th graders when I was teaching in Matthews.) So, in my opinion, at-risk is a relative term.
2. School: Why do technology classes have to be written in a language that at first appears to be English, but is really a foreign language? Why do the professors who teach the technology classes think their class is the only class that is worth anything and assign copious amounts of homework and readings that leave you with very little time to devote to another class or things like laundry and bathing? Why do male, Chinese professors have to be butt-heads to American females? Why do deans do nothing when a professor's completely unprofessional behavior is pointed out to them by the teaching assistants and students? Translation, I'm slogging my way through my latest technology class and asking no questions of the professor since I don't enjoy ridicule he dishes out to any woman in my class who asks a question he feels is, "OBVIOUSLY CLEARLY STATED IN THE ASSIGNED READINGS, if you'd bother to read them." Guess what, we've read them and the information is still as clear as mud. I'm just waiting to vent on the class evaluation. Maybe someone in an office at the University will pick up that this guy is a major tool.
3. Good News: My best friend, Sebrina, will be moving back to Missouri in a few short months. Her husband, Joe, has been hired to work in a TB lab in Mt. Vernon, MO. She's applied for a position at SMS (I think they call it Missouri State now), but hasn't heard back. As of right now, they are planning to pack up the entire contents of their house, load the truck on April 9th, and set out for MO on April 10th. Joe starts work on the 16th and Sebrina flies back to finish out the school year in North Carolina . At the end of the year, she'll drive out and join him in their new home in Springfield. WHOO HOO! It will be great to have her back in the state, especially only about 3 hours away. It's a lot better than the 10-14 hour drive to North Carolina! Send good thoughts and prayers their way that she'll get the job at the University and everything with their move will go well and that they'll both be safe during all the trips.
1. Job: I'm not sure where and what I'm going to be teaching next year. In January, we were informed that it might be possible that one of the reading teachers in our building would be moved to a lower elementary building. One of the other teachers pounded her fist on the desk and basically said she wasn't moving and they couldn't make her move. The other one slapped me on the back and said, "It's been nice working with you." My response was, "I need a job." I hate to tell the other two, the boss can tell you where you're going and even if you're tenured, there's not a whole lot you can do about it. As a result, things have been a little tense. Our assistant superintendent has met with me and asked me what I'd be willing to teach. I told her I've gone as high in the grades as I need to go. If I've learned anything from teaching 7th grade PSR it's that I do not have the gift for teaching junior high students. There may be the possibility of me teaching a 1st grade at-risk classroom. Everyone thinks I'm insane, but I figure 15 at risk students with a teacher's aid is nothing compared to the 100 at-risk 5th and 6th graders I deal with every day right now. Up here, at-risk would pretty much be my entire class in Matthews. At least in 1st grade I doubt any of them would be stealing their parent's car to go to their gang initiation. (Yep, that happened with one of my 4th graders when I was teaching in Matthews.) So, in my opinion, at-risk is a relative term.
2. School: Why do technology classes have to be written in a language that at first appears to be English, but is really a foreign language? Why do the professors who teach the technology classes think their class is the only class that is worth anything and assign copious amounts of homework and readings that leave you with very little time to devote to another class or things like laundry and bathing? Why do male, Chinese professors have to be butt-heads to American females? Why do deans do nothing when a professor's completely unprofessional behavior is pointed out to them by the teaching assistants and students? Translation, I'm slogging my way through my latest technology class and asking no questions of the professor since I don't enjoy ridicule he dishes out to any woman in my class who asks a question he feels is, "OBVIOUSLY CLEARLY STATED IN THE ASSIGNED READINGS, if you'd bother to read them." Guess what, we've read them and the information is still as clear as mud. I'm just waiting to vent on the class evaluation. Maybe someone in an office at the University will pick up that this guy is a major tool.
3. Good News: My best friend, Sebrina, will be moving back to Missouri in a few short months. Her husband, Joe, has been hired to work in a TB lab in Mt. Vernon, MO. She's applied for a position at SMS (I think they call it Missouri State now), but hasn't heard back. As of right now, they are planning to pack up the entire contents of their house, load the truck on April 9th, and set out for MO on April 10th. Joe starts work on the 16th and Sebrina flies back to finish out the school year in North Carolina . At the end of the year, she'll drive out and join him in their new home in Springfield. WHOO HOO! It will be great to have her back in the state, especially only about 3 hours away. It's a lot better than the 10-14 hour drive to North Carolina! Send good thoughts and prayers their way that she'll get the job at the University and everything with their move will go well and that they'll both be safe during all the trips.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)