Who do we work for?

After getting Mark to go to his clinical at 4:30, nodding off for a bit-I watched the morning news. They were talking about Obama's plan to put some money into fixing schools and rehiring teachers. Then they said "The republicans say it is nothing but a teacher union bail-out" Ummmmm we don't WORK for the teacher union. We work for the GOVERNMENT, so if implemented essentially we are bailing ourselves out? Any ways...

Today was really good! Kids- good. I have to say my teaching wasn't bad... I feel energetic after the day - which has been rare this year.


good times..... now I have to work so tomorrow will be good :)

Oh my goodness......

I am not sure that I have ever felt this tired, and deflated this early in the school year.... Yes, sometimes it is the norm in February.... I just am not feeling accomplished at the time.

My student's grades are slowly coming up. We have a mandatory study hall for students with d's and f's. I can't say for sure if all the kids who need to go- but having the extra student awareness of their grades by several teachers every week has had an impact.

I do have one concern that is weighing heavily on me this week. The communication between the special education staff and the rest of us. It seems to me that we have a bigger staff than ever. One administrator in the building mostly dedicated to students with special needs, 4 certified teachers, one dude that does the scheduling, several para professionals who help. (even though I don't think there are enough para pros. The system right now relies on us clicking on a student on our powerschool to see what the modifications are supposed to be. That is all fine and good - but I don't know what the student's level of skills are, I don't know what we are supposed to be looking out for behavior-wise. This level of communication is fine for the students who are higher functioning, but the students who are lower functioning - can not verbalize. They might not even be aware. It is just frustrating to say the least. Really the kiddos lose out.

Blech. Classes otherwise are going really well. Nutrition classes are coming upon their dreaded nutrition test. Teen living - we are starting to talk about "healthy" relationships. Parenting we are in the pregnancy/readiness chapter. Entrepreneurship will be learning about book keeping.
so that has been good.

happiness to all!

Three day weekends give rise to apathy

Which is just not right. I should be refreshed and peppy after a three day break. Tell you the truth the LAST thing I wanted to do was go to school. First hour was particularly harsh. I was scattered and rather inarticulate...... we got through somehow.The rest of the day went progressively better.

I have to admit it was totally my fault I did not prepare enough. The rest of the week is going a lot better as well.

One complaint that I do have is how fellow teachers minimize what I teach. Today a fellow colleague told me she couldn't believe how a student flunked my test. Looking her in the eye I told her maybe the test was hard for her. Then I gave her the test. I have been teaching for a long time, I certainly do not have the "easy a" classes. some classes are easier than others, but nutrition is difficult for some students. I guess I get mad because it implies that I don't teach anything. rude. That is kind of a pride thing that doesn't have anything to do with anything...

Went to a training this morning on a program for students to turn in their papers on line. It looked pretty cool. I shall try it this semester.