I am getting fed up

Today I created a sign for my room. For a class of Gen Ed seniors. PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR PAPER.

Really?

I got an email from a parent. I wrote her son up for skipping my class, because he didn't come to my class or tell me a teacher he was with. Apparently (according to the mom) I didn't investigate enough. I repeat: gen ed senior.

Really?

Stupid Choices

In NYC you can be fined for calling an illegal alien an illegal alien.

My school is teaching us "functional Spanish" once a month, for less than 10 minutes, in the faculty meetings so we can call non-English speaking parents to talk with them about their children.

And (and I think this is related to the above) the state is not requiring teachers be certified because it is too difficult to get certified teachers.

Oy vey!

My name does not matter

I have been in this school for years. Last year they hired someone with a similar but different name. And, then, suddenly - they couldn't tell us apart. And I started getting her phone calls.

This year I pointed that out. Now I get her emails as well.

My theme song follows.

Mister Cellophane

If Someone Stood Up In A Crowd
And Raised His Voice Up Way Out Loud
And Waved His Arm And Shook His Leg
You'd Notice Him
If Someone In The Movie Show
Yelled "Fire In The Second Row
This Whole Place Is A Powder Keg!"
You'd Notice Him
And Even Without Clucking Like A Hen
Everyone Gets Noticed, Now And Then,
Unless, Of Course, That Personage Should Be
Invisible, Inconsequential Me!
Cellophane
Mister Cellophane
Shoulda Been My Name
Mister Cellophane
'Cause You Can Look Right Through Me
Walk Right By Me
And Never Know I'm There...
I Tell Ya
Cellophane
Mister Cellophane
Shoulda Been My Name
Mister Cellophane
'Cause You Can Look Right Through Me
Walk Right By Me
And Never Know I'm There...

Ethics

I was talking with a friend and mentioned an EOC (End of Course) teat (not given by the state) and mentioned how we, as teachers, cannot see it and the information we are given doesn't really match the test.

She said that once the test is given once, the teachers will know what it looks like.

Not really, I said. You monitor tests form other departments and cannot see your own.

She insisted that teachers will know.

Shades of the Atlanta Cheating Scandal from five years ago.

It told me a lot about her. My silence should have told her a lot about me - but I will bet she didn't hear it.

She's sensitive

I got a lecture from a friend (Dawn) the other day about my reaction to another teacher, we'll call that teacher Annabelle. Dawn said I need to cut Annabelle slack, because she's sensitive and I am apparently intimidating.

Annabelle was in a position to make my life significantly easier but, because she was sensitive and hurt by the principal, she packed up her mitt and ball and went home and never answered a single request for information.

Now I am supposed to work with her. Sarcasm aside, understand I don't care that she is sensitive. If she asks me for something, I would probably give it to her. But I am not going to volunteer. The year she had her feelings hurt by the principal, I had the worst working year and working environment since I started work at 15.

I read something recently that you shouldn't compare pain. As in, well you had a broken leg but I had that and a broken arm as well. I get that.

The year she was here was probably her worst year. I know it was mine.

But she made herself irrelevant to my life. I dug out everything that I needed for the next year, some by myself and some from other people. And like the little red hen said, I will eat the bread myself.

Funny, I don't even care if Annabelle thinks I'm rude.

Setting the bar low

A group of our students went on a field trip last week - a play then a meal at a restaurant. Six of the lovely darlings decided it would be fun to skip out on paying for their meals.

I wonder when we will get to have field trips again.

Friday - another view

Friday, I was in my car and ready to leave when I saw a teacher who teaches in another part of the building so I rarely see him. I waved and he came over to talk.

In the course of the conversation (and this is someone I chat with, not someone I feel close to) he mentioned that he tries to remind people (other teachers) that he is there and that he is going through stuff.

I don't know what stuff, but I know we need to help each other. I think mental health issues are more rampant in teaching than is acknowledged. I've know three in the past year who end in in "the looney bin" - and that is just 3 because I am closer to them.

The system is broken.