It is almost Halloween, it's rainy outside and for the first time since February, I am wearing a sweater. The only thing that would make this day better is if time would magically fast forward to noon.
Today at noon, happiness begins. The students have a half-day today as they are taking their AIMS* (Arizona Instrument to Measure Success) tests, and teachers have the afternoon to make up work and prepare for next week.
However, I will choose to not prepare for next week. I'm not making up work either. I'm going to put my rain clog clad feet up on my desk, make some Starbucks in the school's crappy coffee maker and read Edgar Allen Poe.
*side note - at some point I will have to comment on what I think AIMS really stands for...
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Mom
Today is my mom's birthday. She is an amazing woman. She is 2000 miles away, but she is here with me every day.
I'm spending a few minutes in each of my classes to talk to my students about family and love today - and about that wonderful woman who made me care so much about this world. She is the reason I teach. She gave me so much, I want to give something back to her.
This is also the reason why I have "Happy Birthday Mom" written in green ink on my white board today. My students in first hour said that they want to meet her someday.
Love you Mom. Thank you for making a difference.
I'm spending a few minutes in each of my classes to talk to my students about family and love today - and about that wonderful woman who made me care so much about this world. She is the reason I teach. She gave me so much, I want to give something back to her.
This is also the reason why I have "Happy Birthday Mom" written in green ink on my white board today. My students in first hour said that they want to meet her someday.
Love you Mom. Thank you for making a difference.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Fahrenheit 9/11
My students are watching Michael Moore's persuasive masterpiece in all of my classes. I've now seen the movie 5 times in the past three days.
My students are appalled that Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are not the same country! They were tricked! Those sneaky, evil media giants. What were those journalists thinking?
Speaking of journalists...
Today I sing Michael Moore's praises. Don't necessarily like him or approve of all his actions, but I must admit I appreciate his "documentary." My students actually engaged in intelligent discussions about politics! It is amazing that they now know more than what mainstream media feeds their parents.
And, for those of you who are wondering, I did defend Bush and bash Kerry a little as well. Then I pointed to the "Bart Simpson for President"slogan displayed on my gang-tagged, crooked white board and said, for all to hear, "I love my country."
My students are watching Michael Moore's persuasive masterpiece in all of my classes. I've now seen the movie 5 times in the past three days.
My students are appalled that Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are not the same country! They were tricked! Those sneaky, evil media giants. What were those journalists thinking?
Speaking of journalists...
Today I sing Michael Moore's praises. Don't necessarily like him or approve of all his actions, but I must admit I appreciate his "documentary." My students actually engaged in intelligent discussions about politics! It is amazing that they now know more than what mainstream media feeds their parents.
And, for those of you who are wondering, I did defend Bush and bash Kerry a little as well. Then I pointed to the "Bart Simpson for President"slogan displayed on my gang-tagged, crooked white board and said, for all to hear, "I love my country."
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
I learned it by teaching them, alright?
Remember the commercial in the 80's where the father busts into the son's room accusing him of doing drugs? The father is yelling and screaming at his child and asks that oh-so-important question, "Who taught you to do this?! Who taught you to use drugs?!" That boy, hate in his eyes, spits back "You, alright? I learned it by watching you!"
I suppose this proves that the best way to teach is to model behaviour and learn about what is in your environment. If teachers were to learn from their students the same way, I'd have to say I've been privy to an interesting and varied ghetto-cation.
I now know the following:
* It is worse to be a liar than it is to be a murderer.
* You don't get arrested if you walk into a high school carrying two blunts.
* Everyone should have a switchblade that is at least 5" long.
* Coming to class "blazed" isn't an offense at all.
* Teachers are "money-hungry."
* Pink is just the sweetest new color to be adopted by gangs.
* Apathy is the religion of fools.
* Sex causes pregnancy.
* Restraining orders don't keep you from getting knocked up by your ex.
* English isn't a required language to live in the United States.
* You can qualify for foodstamps and still have a phone to text message your friends, a low-rider with a phat sound system and spinning rims, and enough money to sport a 24-karat gold chain with a mini-assault rifle pendant.
* You shouldn't call a student's Probation Officer if she is violating her parole and is in possession of drugs. That's "cold" and makes you a "bitch."
* I won't be a teacher in five years unless I make a hell of a lot more money and put up with a hell of a lot less crap.
Here is my commercial:
Go home. Hug your children. Be glad they don't come to my school.
This has been a public service announcement sponsored by the Bitter Teachers of America.
I suppose this proves that the best way to teach is to model behaviour and learn about what is in your environment. If teachers were to learn from their students the same way, I'd have to say I've been privy to an interesting and varied ghetto-cation.
I now know the following:
* It is worse to be a liar than it is to be a murderer.
* You don't get arrested if you walk into a high school carrying two blunts.
* Everyone should have a switchblade that is at least 5" long.
* Coming to class "blazed" isn't an offense at all.
* Teachers are "money-hungry."
* Pink is just the sweetest new color to be adopted by gangs.
* Apathy is the religion of fools.
* Sex causes pregnancy.
* Restraining orders don't keep you from getting knocked up by your ex.
* English isn't a required language to live in the United States.
* You can qualify for foodstamps and still have a phone to text message your friends, a low-rider with a phat sound system and spinning rims, and enough money to sport a 24-karat gold chain with a mini-assault rifle pendant.
* You shouldn't call a student's Probation Officer if she is violating her parole and is in possession of drugs. That's "cold" and makes you a "bitch."
* I won't be a teacher in five years unless I make a hell of a lot more money and put up with a hell of a lot less crap.
Here is my commercial:
Go home. Hug your children. Be glad they don't come to my school.
This has been a public service announcement sponsored by the Bitter Teachers of America.
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