Sick Days and control

From a column in the AJC today.
Good question posed by Christopher Johnson of Atlanta in the AJC’s Letter’s column: Why do teachers miss more work than others? Concludes Johnson: “There is no credible reason why teachers should use sick leave at the rate of 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the non-teacher workforce.” One of these days politicians do need to screw up the courage to give Johnson a rational reason — or change the system.



One of the responses gives something to think about:

Jim you want a pretend answer or a real one on teacher absences Wooten?

How many days would you miss if you were held accountable for the performance of 25-30 employees, but those employees could A) refuse to work B) not show up for work C) curse fellow employees D) curse you E) threaten fellow employees F) threaten you G) assault other employees H) assault you? And most important of all, engage in actions A-H with little to no meaningful consequences?

Yet you are told it’s all your fault when production slips, even though you have little or even no authority to enforce consequences that could address actions A-H above.

Think you might miss a day or two Jim? Think you might feel a little stress?

Deal with actions A-H above, and especially deal with the fact that they occur with little to no meaningful consequences for the students who engage in them, and then you’ll be having an honest discussion.
But we don’t want to deal with A-H, because we don’t want an honest discussion. We want to blame our teachers for how we don’t raise our children.

Sticks and Stones

I don't understand teenagers.

Or I don't remember being one, which is always possible.

Two boys got into it in class Thursday. It was the usual dance: first they start insulting each other. Then they start poking around looking for THE button (your mama, your girlfriend, your virility). Finally, the punch. And away it goes. I couldn't move fast enough to deflect the initial insults and had to push the button for the administrators and police officer to break it up. These are two who will not be back for awhile, if at all.

Dang, it means I will be called for a tribunal again. (Hate those)

The only good news is they are two of the ones failing so my percentages will go up.

Happy day.

Six Word Saturday

"Nutcracker" makes the season come alive!

Interesting complement

Today John came to my room, wanting me to write another letter to a judge, since my last one worked so well. I told him he would have to tell me a lot more.

"Well," he says, "I was arrested at school last year for disruptive behavior."

What did you do?

"I cussed out a teacher. I was being bad. She sent me out in the hall to cool off. I stayed out there a while and came back in and she started in on me again. And I lost it."

I asked who the teacher was - she is a good teacher and a good person. So I asked a series of questions:

· Do you realize now that she was trying to help you?
· Were you wrong?
· Was she a good teacher?
· Did you like her except for that day?


Then I told him, I will write the letter but you have to do something for me first. You have to write her a letter of apology.

"Whoa, I already apologized." [I doubt it]

Yes, but you have to write her a letter. You know: “I was wrong to say what I did. I know you were trying to help me but I let my anger get the best of me.” It doesn’t have to be much. You show me the letter before you give it to her and I will write the letter for you.

I figure he seldom accepts responsibility for his actions. He is a large boy and has anger and control issues. His size means people either write him up or banish him or accept his behavior.

We'll see if he writes his letter - or not. Either way, I win.

cuts coming but nothing in the paper

From Edweek:
Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox says the schools will have a "pretty rocky couple of years" before state education funding improves.

Cox said during a meeting Friday that she expects to have to cut up to another $39 million from school funding before the fiscal year ends June 30. That would be painful for the state's 180 school districts, which have already lost millions in funding as the state grapples with the worst fiscal crisis in decades.

It could mean more layoffs, more furlough days and even larger classes.


But the local newspaper has NOTHING. Wouldn't you think this was important to know?

Heck, I wonder when our district will tell us something.

Merry Christmas!

getting to know you

I have asked my students to write one page about themselves for each of (up to 7) assignments that they are missing. My intent was to give them a chance without creating more work for me.

Two lately have told me things they don't tell many. One told me her mother basically abandoned her and told her that the mom never wanted her. Another told me she has piercings because it substitutes for cutting. (And she hasn't cut in 2 years now)

They asked me today if I had read what they wrote. I told the first one that (unfortunately) there is no test for parenting, that anyone can have a child but that doesn't make you a mom. And that she has a father who loves her.

Then the second asked if I read hers. I told her that I hoped she finds out why she wants to pierce or cut as she is a very bright and caring person (which I believe). She started crying. I hugged her and talked a while longer.

I hope they wrote what they did because they want someone to know. It doesn't fall under reportable stuff (it was obvious from the writing that DFACS has been involved).

what the goal should be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up…
To more than I can be.