Six Word Saturday

You will reap what you sow.



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I had dinner with several good friends at other schools this week, one of whom is having a more stressful year than I am (which I did not think was possible).

He has a newly minted EdS brand new AP who taught the required 3 years and now knows so much more than everyone else. Oh, did I mention the new AP (we will call him SP for Shiny Penny) taught English so has all sorts of ideas for teaching science and math - none of which are worth spit.

Anyhow, SP spent the first 4 months of this year pissing everyone off by showing HE was in charge and the teachers are PEONS (or is that PEE-Ons?). You know the type: kid acts up, parent wants teacher's head so demands a meeting with the AP and the teacher. SP hands the parent the teacher's head on a platter - and then wonders why that teacher has discipline issues in the classroom - since kid is still in the same classroom.

Apparently some wiser head has told SP that pissing off your staff is not the way to get them to work with you, so SP is now trying to make nice. Guess what - from what I hear, you stab enough people in the back enough times, there are no second chances.

When I was having issues with the HULK, I knew there were people who liked him because they would say nice things about him. They knew I didn't like him and why, but I knew they liked him - and why.

NO ONE is saying anything pleasant about SP.

They are being circumspect - no one is bashing him either (except to really good friends) because he is connected to a Board member. But SP has created enemies.

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

I do not think SP will ever dig his way out of this hole. Be interesting to see how this plays out. If the teachers can tread water long enough, that is.

Teambuilding

The hulk missed his chance for this.

Stress Generator

That could be another name for the principal.

I met a friend for lunch this week = a friend who opted not to come back this year.

We were talking about The Hulk, and the friend started talking about the sheer number f people on various forms of stress reduction: tranqs, booze,whatever.

I have gained weight the past few years. (my response to stress).

Another friend is struggling with ulcerative colitis - it is wrecking havoc with her life.

I need to find another solution to the stress (something more positive than eating) because I want to continue to teach the students I teach.

I guess tar and feathering the Hulk is out of the question.

As I have said before, he has created an environment where no one has his back.

Justice lives.

It is amazing

It is amazing that someone you admire can say one sentence and destroy all feelings you have for them. I am not a big fan of The Hulk - you would know that if you read this blog and when I stop being as irritated as I am about today's meeting I will roast him again.

One of the teachers who teaches AP courses was talking about a big fubar at the end of last year. I asked what happened. Well, the syllabus didn't get approved by AP so the AP course kids had taken all year had to be changed to an honors course in June.

I asked "so, The Hulk forgot to send it in?" which seemed odd as we have AP courses in several disciplines and have had under the Hulk for several years.

Nope, says the excuse for an AP teacher, he didn't write it.

I am floored.

The way AP courses work, for those who do not know, is that the teacher has to produce a syllabus which is then approved by the principal and then sent to AP. If AP approves it (called the audit process) you have an AP course.

Do you see how the principal doesn't write the syllabus.

What an ass - and I do NOT mean the Hulk this time.

All I want for Christmas

Mamacita has posted the qualities of a good principal. Mr. Hulk has some of the qualities listed. His rousting the kids in the morning is really helpful.

But his yelling at the staff has got to quit. It has probably achieved its purpose (we avoid going to see him unless we have to) but it also means he is not getting from his staff what he could.

He is a poor shepherd of his resources.

Sometimes I post a tag of MFL - my fantasy life. This is when I am tired of reality and post things the way I wish they were. Looks like it will continue.

Back to school

Well, Mr. Hulk activated the automatic call last night to remind us there would probably be school. It;s a good thing, because our district isn't mentioned at all with the no school/delayed opening list this morning.

He also let the student drivers leave when he knew we were releasing early, allowing them to leave before the buses and cutting down on congestion as well as getting the kids off the roads earlier.

You have to admire him for that.

Drama

Imagine other words and you have some of our faculty meetings. Have to love being yelled at - so inspiring.
click here for Faculty Meeting


Hulk: you are not doing what you need to in order to inspire the kids. You have to engage them! Have you stood in the hall and memorized the names and vital facts of every one coming by your room? How will you teach them if they don't think you are a friend?

Have you given them 60 for doing nothing? How will they ever pass? Have you created some totally inspiring lesson so they will put their phones down and learn the work? Have you written the notes for them? Have you? They are failing and it is. All. Your. Fault! Go teach them!! Go!!

Hmm.

Make it fun

Joanne Jacobs: How do you get people to choose the stairs over the escalator? Make it fun.click here for Make it Fun!


This is too cool!!

OK, back to my real world. Mr. Hulk keeps chastising us to "make it fun" with classes that are too full, no money, and other teachers in the classroom who will not participate but live to suck the fun out of everything.

I discovered (through my wonderful meeting last week) a way to make one of my classes more fun with very little time, effort, and money on my part. I talked with the kids - yes, they think it will be fun as well.

So, I have spent a fair portion of this weekend pulling the material together so I can copy it tomorrow and explain it and get it going. Wish me luck on getting past the funsucker.