Nothing at work ever gets me this upset. I'm still shaking and I walked out of school crying. Out of respect for my school and the belief that this kind of thing will never be allowed to happen again, I won't post details here but I have to write. I may post details on the other blog, but seeing the words might start me up again. Maybe by posting a few details here I will be able to get it out of my system. (It's so bad ice cream won't even help.)
All I'll say is that it involved a student, a parent and a baseball game. I don't even understand how the student can still be involved with the baseball team as he failed four subjects last marking period, but on the team he is. The father believes his son will be a professional ball player and baseball is all that matters.
Stupid me, I voluntarily took this kid in my class months ago to try to save him. I learned my lesson. I'll never do something like this again.
8 comments:
I sure don't know the particulars, but I feel for you. It just part of the game. You try to help as many kids as you can, but some will always slip though the cracks--and some will get shoved through them by parents, admins, and sometimes other teachers.
It sucks, but it happens. Don't let it stop you from trying.
I feel your pain. Been there a couple of times myself.
hugs if theres anything i can do let me know
The most comforting, uplifting thing I can tell you is that there are only 26 school days left until summer vacation. Keep your chin up!
your blog is inspiring me to begin writing in mine again. you're doing the best you know you can do, to do the best you can for the kids. it sucks when the system gets in the way.
Most pressure to pass kids on teams usually comes from the coaches. It's obnoxious no matter where it comes from.
I do feel your pain. I teach at a real gung-ho sports school and even though many of the athletes do little work, cut class, and are almost illiterate, heaven help the teacher who fails an athlete. The wrath of the academic coach, the phys ed AP, the team coach, your AP, and finally, the principal, comes down hard on you. As if the pressure to pass kids with little seat time and no work isn't enough, athletes' grades are given even greater scrutiny by the administration. Never mind the warnings to the kid, the extra projects provided to him, the letters/calls home: if you fail the kid it is your fault big time.
This is not coming from the school. I feel no pressure from them to pass this kid.
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