I am a teacher at a small school. My subjects are Chemistry and Physics. The school has problems but instead of whining they are trying to fix the problems.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

boneheaded

Teenagers do things that adults can only describe as "boneheaded". There is no other word for it. Its normal. The teenage brain is literally be re wired and that part that says "don't do this, there are bad consequences" doesn't work.

Example one of my best and brightest had a beta club meeting before school. She left out the wrong door of the building. Not a biggie, right. Well there are rules which doors students can use before school, a means to keep them from running amuck. A teacher told her and her buddies to use the right door. They ignored her. As a result the three musketeers got lunch detention. The principal was talking to the ringleader where she was saying she would not do. He calmly replied "if you don't do detention, you'll have to go home." At which point she went out the door and went home. She claims "he told me to." She got three days ISS. When back in class commenting on it she started to tell her side of it. "Mrs. W. you weren't there, you don't know what happenned it was like this..."

"you're right I wasn't there, but even if you convinced me of your truth and rightiousness I still can't help you, can I do the lesson now."

Then later 2 other geniuses decided to skip band...ISS three days.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

I'm supposed to have students that tend to listen.

I'm supposed to teach occasional athelics who realize that their team position is a responsibility instead of a "get out of jail free card."

I'm supposed to have students that are not whacked out on drugs either illegal or prescribed.


Oh yea, first game of the season against a long term rival, we won 24-19.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Another science teacher is talking to me. She's really a math teacher they took out of retirement to teach. "I'm reviewing for the test tommorrow"

Me, "why review?, tell them what will be on the test and what they need to know and move on."

Friday, August 24, 2007

Thank you god.

I haven't heard a single swear word from my students.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

out in the boondocks

Many years ago when I first moved into this state I had a clerical job in a small company 20 miles south of where I lived. Now you'd think, rural, salt of the earth, must be some good home cooking, right about! some place where you can get a good wrong. These people wouldn't know decent food if it bit them, which considering what they do to poor catfish is possible. No I don't think its just because the restaurants serve one food and people cook well in their homes.

But back to where I started, there they were, my fellow coworkers discussing which of the gas stations had the best pizza.

Today it happened again, in the faculty lounge in another small town, they are discussing which gas station has the best fried chicken.

Alton Brown I'm sorry.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

New job

Wow what a change!

I am at another school now.

I get 11th and 12th graders. They are honors students. I have complete set of science supplies. I teacher honors students. There are problems with the school but instead of moping they are trying to fix the problems.

I start tomorrow.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

does this look like spam to you?

Seriously this is an email I recieved through the teacher job search website used in my state.
(names changed)

"Dear Ms. Widget,

Hello! We look forward to hearing from you!Please go to our website: http:school web site. There, you can type in your information on the online application form before printing it out. Download two reference forms to give to persons of your choosing in the education field. These are to be sent back to us under separate mail. With your appl., please include copies of your transcript(s) and Arkansas Teacher's Certificate.
If you do not hold an Arkansas Teacher's Certificate, please provide copies of your Praxis Scores and proof that you are eligible for certification. Also, provide more than one phone number (including cell phone) where you may be reached to arrange an interview."

I keep debating emailing them back and saying "who are you?" I don't go to unsolited websites. It is much akin to the phishing spam I get asking me to update my account in a bank I don't use.
Does nobody at this place know how to write a selling letter? This was written by a Doctor no less (bet its an E.D.).
I know I don't want to work in this city even if I were looking for a job. They arrested three kids for shooting another kid.