Favorite Teacher Contest

My Favorite Teacher Contest at Barnes and Noble--tell your students to enter.

No Solution

Problem Boy has been transferred to a nearby high school.  Packemin now has one less student to bring its statistics down.  Changing his environment will not help Problem Boy with the problems he has. I'm not sure there is anything anybody could do to help him.  

Closing school and firing teachers doesn't do anything to help kids like Problem Boy either.

Uniformity Impossible



No matter how hard anyone tries, it is impossible for an exam to be secure when the same or a similar exam is given different periods all day long.  It is impossible to count the number of times kids have walked into my classroom and asked me how to do questions that are on the exam they are about to take.

I understand the need for some sort of uniformity in grading and testing but giving the same exam over a 12 period span of time is ludicrous and to insist this exam count more than any other exam is even more ridiculous.

The college solves this problem by giving every teacher a broad outline and sample questions to follow and then allows them to create their own exam, an exam that must be approved by the department.  Yes, it involves more work but it is a more valid exam. 

Math, as far as I know, is the only department in the school that insists on giving the same exam all day long.  The math teachers are bright and competent.  Surely they are capable of making up their own exam for their own students.

No Help Available

Ditzy comes from a good home.  He has two parents who love him, provide for his every need and desire and, at the same time, provide discipline when needed.  They value education, encourage studying and are behind his teachers all the way.  In spite of this, no teacher wants Ditzy in their class and no students want to be in the same room with him ever.

Ditzy is one of the more challenging students at Packemin.  Just saying his name, brings a frown to almost every face in hearing range.  He is late to every class and disruptive when he finally arrives.

Ditzy needs help and he needs it now.  I am afraid he will do something really stupid and end up in jail (if something wore doesn't happen to him first.)  He is not a bad kid, just a kid that does things that aren't so good. I have serious doubts about his ability to differentiate between what he should be doing and what he actually does.

Ditzy's guidance counselor has spoken to him about grades, summer school and night school but those things won't help him with his real problems.  The counselor knows this but is not sure, short of recommending him for some sort of ISS placement, what else she can do to help him.  The school system has no plan in place for kids like him.  The ed deformers can fire all the teachers in the system, but kids like Ditzy aer not going to make it unless some real changes are made.

Evil Mrs. Applebee



Mrs. Applebee wanted to thank the people who worked for her by treating them to lunch last week.  Mrs. Applebee said she wanted everyone to come but bought food that several, because of dietary reasons, could not eat.  (She was very aware of the special needs of her invited guests.)  

Tim is one of the employees on a restricted diet.  Mrs. Applebee, who never speaks to this man passed him in the hall, stopped in her tracks and said, "Were you able to find anything to eat?"  When the man said, "No" Mrs. Applebee said, "Sorry."  I don't know if Tim saw the smile on her lips and the laughter in her eyes when she said that word, but I did.  Both of them continued walking in opposite directions.

I've been to many parties and luncheons in the past and the host or hostess always went out of his/her way to make sure every guest would be provided for.  Not one ever displayed the look I saw on Mrs. Applebee's face.    To add to her delight, Mrs. Applebee e-mailed everyone who worked for her with the message "I hope you all enjoyed the lunch I provided for you."

I've Got To Stop Giving It Away



Is it just because I give it away for free?  Or just a big S...?

A Voice Cries Out

There was a sign up sheet going around for SAT tutoring.  Several kids expressed an interest in signing up but it was only open to those who got free lunch.  As the sheet went around, I heard "I need tutoring.  Just because I can pay for lunch doesn't mean I can pay for a tutor.  I'm entitled to an education too."

Unhealthy Environment

We pass each other without saying a word.  Everyone, even the young posse surrounding him can feel the air, dense with hostility.   The tension is so thick it can be cut with a knife.  We are polite and respectful when we do speak, when certain words must be said so our jobs can be done.  This can only be labeled survival.  It is not a healthy way to live.

Huffington Post

Again

Truth In Cartoon Form

From the Queens Crapper

Some Turn Out Great



Some kids do grow up, even the ones you think never will.  My wonderful niece is a prime example.  She had a difficult childhood, and made some bad choices while in high school and immediately afterwards, but she learned.  She is now a responsible mother with two terrific, bright, outgoing children who are well cared for and loved.  She has chosen a fantastic man to be her partner and has a beautiful home.

When I look at the kids who are messing around, instead of writing them off, I will take out a picture of this young  woman and know there is hope for their lives to be turned around.  It might not be easy, but it can be done.

Yutz

From the IEP I learned that my student will take all exams with accommodations, which include a separate location, extended time,questions read aloud and directions read and reread.

I have serious doubts about the individual who is in charge of administering these accommodations.  Retrieving the exam from his/her mailbox is too much for that person to handle so how can s/he do more?

Family



Sometimes we let bad feelings from the past get in the way of what really is important, at least I do.  Fortunately, at least this time, I was smart enough to look aside and sieze the moment to get back what really matters, family.

After too many years, I traveled to Houston to see my wonderful brother-in-law before he died only to return three weeks later for his funeral.  While it was sad beyond belief, it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my Texas family.  I vowed I would return and the next trip would not be a sad one.

The next opportunity came when my niece invited me to her man's birthday party.  I would have loved to go, but we already had a house rented in Vermont so that was out of the question.  While in Aruba, I got an invitation to her daughter's 8th birthday party.  Everyone who knows me knows I am not a child lover and will always avoid any place with boisterous children having fun, but I decided to look for a cheap ticket and make the trip anyway.  (I got a free ticket using mileage from a Delta credit card I opened last year--no fees and I just had to use it once for 30,000 miles.)

The party was just as loud as I expected but I loved every second of it, especially the reaction of the birthday girl when she opened the door and saw me, her surprise present, standing there.  I got to share in the warmth and love of a wonderful family, a family lost to me for too long.

The trip is hectic.  After a day at work I had a 9:00 flight got me here at midnight and I am leaving midday Monday so I won't miss any time at school, but it is worth it.  I can always sleep when I am dead.

A Real Man

This is a real man  He can hold a baby in one hand and open a bottle of beer with the other.

Still Around

Problem Boy is still roaming the halls of Packemin HS, failing most of his classes.  He’s not coming to mine anymore and, believe it or not, I feel kind of bad about that.  Earlier this week, he greeted me with a big, friendly, “Hello Ms POd” and when I asked him if he had given up coming to math, he said “Pretty much.”  He passed me in the hall today and asked me when the midterm will be given.  I told him he already missed the first part but gave him the date of the next one.  I don’t think he will bother to show up and since math his not his subject he will be unable to answer any of it.

 While I was having troubles with Problem Boy, he was managing to survive in another class.  This class, a class in his native language was one he could do the work in.  His teacher found ways to make him feel important and she overlooked many of his outrageous activities.  Today she had a different story to tell about him.  He has started cutting her class and even missed the midterm.  He has made inappropriate sexual and anti-Semitic comments to her, similar to the ones he said to me.  She decided she couldn’t look aside anymore, wrote him up and is having his parents come to school next week.

Problem Boy has issues, big issues the school and his family cannot handle.  He needs help and he needs it fast or he is just going to drop out and possibly find himself behind bars.  Kids like Problem Boy are the reason schools all over the city are failing.  Closing schools and reopening with a new staff does nothing to help kids like this.  For all his talk about how he improved education, Bloomberg and Klein did nothing for kids as dysfunctional as this one.  Cathie Black, in her totally clueless state, will be able to do no more.  She might tell Problem Boy’s parents to use birth control and even if they do, it is too late to help him and the countless kids like him.

Commentary



Thanks to Mrs. Chili

Mixed Messages



Monday's faculty conference dealt with grades and the things that go into giving a grade.  Many people wanted to look at effort and extenuating circumstances for missed exams and projects.  They wanted kids to have a chance to redo failing exams and do extra projects to increase grades. 

My department has been told that exams are the way, the only way to go.  Effort doesn't do it if a child is not making the grade.  We are pressured to make sure our grades don't vary much from the final exam and from the regents.  There is nothing we can do about the regents but many of us have resorted to some pretty creative methods to circumvent the final exam rule.  (Sorry I can't mention them here for obvious reasons.)

There is more to a grade than a number on a piece of paper but a young, untenured teacher will follow the guidelines set out by their chairperson if they want to keep their jobs.  They can't give the child the benefit of the doubt, even if they want to do so.

Pizza Pie Cutter

The geek in me loves this!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/e616/

Four Letters

The cut was deep.

The pain was intense.

The damage had been done and might never be undone.

Who would have thought that four letters put together in that one arrangement could keep on hurting.

Thanks Trashman

The Trashman used this picture as a commentary on the guy who insisted on opening schools today.  I just couldn't resist borrowing it.

Hater

I always wear the above sweatshirt when it snows because I always feel like I am a wacko when I go in on these days.  I'm starting to rethink how I feel.

I got up bright and early and called 311 five times, just to make sure school was really open.  I dragged my old body out of bed and looked out the window and sure enough, my block had been plowed.  I decided maybe I could drive to work instead of taking the bus.  My wonderful husband got up, shoveled and cleaned the car and even drove me in so I wouldn't have to worry about where to park.  (He was not happy about this--couldn't understand why I didn't stay home.)

Attendance wasn't great, but I am glad I went in anyway.  With midterms tomorrow, the kids who came in were ready and willing to work, and I am not just talking about the calculus kids.  Some even thanked me for coming in as they were tired of sitting in the auditorium watching  movies.

One of my students was looking quite distressed later in the day.  When questioned, he only said, "Bloomberg is a hater."  He then explained what a wasted day it was, how all his other teachers were absent and it was hardly worth the effort it took to get to school.  He, as well as many others, showed up because they had midterms scheduled, exams to review for and were afraid to miss out on any of these things.

I enjoyed my kids today and I know they enjoyed a learning environment with such a small population.  Too bad it takes a snow day and a hater to provide kids with what they really need.

My Dark Side

Sometimes I get so angry about  things in school that I want everyone to fail.  I want us to have poor statistics and I want to wipe any sign of happiness off the face of a certain individual.  But then, I look at my students and see them not as statistics, but as children with bright futures, children who will go on to make the world a better place to live in and I will do everything and anything I can to help them reach their fullest potential.

 People who think today's teenagers are lazy, shiftless beings who only care about things like Facebook and music have not met my students.  Over 80 of them showed up today, on their day off, to review for the upcoming midterm.  True, the majority of the kids were my calculus students, but still, 80, on their day off?  These kids chose to be in school, to further their understanding and help their grades instead of staying in bed and then playing computer games all day. A colleague walked into the room and stood watching in awe as every kid was engaged and working.  The calculus session was scheduled for three hours but when three hours passed, the kids were not ready to leave and we kept going for another 30 minutes.  Some wanted to know if they could come back after lunch.  Others were concerned there might be a snow day tomorrow and wanted to figure out a way to meet, just in case.  (I told them we could do something online if that happened.)  Here are my wonderful calculus students hard at work.

I couldn't keep working with calculus kids because my algebra group was scheduled to come in the afternoon.  I didn't have high hopes that any would show, since these are not the hardest working or most motivated students in the building.  I was pleasantly surprised to have 8 come in especially since these are not kids I would have expected to show up.  They worked hard for an hour and a half and were surprised at how quickly the time passed.  (These are the same kids that can barely sit still and work for a 45 minute period.)  What got me was their desire to stay longer if we didn't finish going over enough problems, and their show of appreciation when we ended.  They actually thanked me and hugged me as they left.  These kids didn't want their picture taken but allowed me to take it when I told them to block their faces.

Today could have been an easy day, a few hours of proctoring and some other BS work, but I didn't take it that way.  I worked harder than I usually do, but I came home elated, not exhausted. I know I will keep having the dark thoughts wanting everyone to fail, there is nothing I can do about that part of me.  But, I know when I feel that way, I will look at the pictures above, especially the ones that include faces, and get rid of those feelings immediately.  I'm dealing with people, not statistics.  I know this well.  I wish I could get others to see these kids the same way.

I Love My Students

From our class Facebook page.

Birthday Card From My Good Friend

Hope your birthday is as awesome as a chihuahua riding a chicken.  She loves chihuahuas as much as I do.

Baggage



I wanted Problem Boy removed from my class.  I was told that it isn't right to give my baggage to another teacher and he stayed with me.

Ms. Cutie Pie had  trouble with Problem Girl.  Problem girl is now in another class.  It was perfectly correct for her baggage to be passed on.

The playing field is so uneven it makes no sense to rate teachers on their students performance unless of course, you are looking for a way to get rid of someone.

Call Me Pisher

I take into account extenuating circumstances and effort when I make up grades and then pray they coincide with regents performance.  I am usually right.   I know a certain individual who does not agree with me.  That person can call me Pisher because I am going to keep on doing what I think is best and right for my students.

(You might have to be Jewish to actually understand this post.)

pisher (pēs̸h′ər)

noun

1. a young, inexperienced, presumptuous person
2. a person or thing of no importance; a nobody or nothing

Origin: Yiddish

pisher
	Yiddish word to describe someone who is arrogant, spoiled, and conceited, and thinks he is a big deal. Literally means an adult who is still in wet diapers.

I Don't Get It

I don't understand a speed limit of 17 m/h or 11 km/h and I don't understand my algebra kids.  Why do they leave out multiple choice questions?  It is not like there is a penalty for wrong answers.

Better Than Last Year



Last year's birthday was spent at my brother-in-law's funeral.  This year I vowed it would be better and made a weekend out of it.

Saturday I spent the day with an old friend.  We checked out the two exhibits at FIT.  The main one, Japan fashion was not my cup of tea.  Their fashions are just too strange and box like for my taste.   The other one, His and Her, is a comparison of male and female fashions from the 1700's until today.  This one is worth the trip.  We then hiked over to 68th and Park, to the Spanish Institute and saw the Balenciaga exhibit--worth the $15 admission.  Today, my husband and I saw seeing Flying Karamazov Brothers which was a lot of fun.  Not one for fancy meals, we had pizza at John's in the village, hot chocolate at Grom's Gelato (dark chocolate with chocolate chip ice cream) and then dinner in the car from Prosperity Dumplings.  (A $2.00 meal of vegetable sesame pancakes makes me happy.)

As I get older, I've learned to take nothing for granted.  I know I have fewer years left than have already passed so I better take advantage of every one while I still can.

Bloomberg On Snow Removal

The Only One

Every department has this going on, except for one.  What does this say about that department?  An e-mail went out yesterday asking people to sign up.  (A little late, don't you think?)  Is it a reflection on the person in charge of that department? 

Pride



Before I had a chance to ask Mary why she was absent, in front of the entire class she blurted out, "Ms, I wasn't here yesterday because I got arrested and my mom had to come and get me out."  She then went on to tell us about the warrant out for her because of previous tickets she had not paid.  She didn't see any reason to pay them when all she did was jump a turn style, not pay a few fares and had a box cutter in her possession.  She has a court date in March and she is not worried about it at all.

It used to be a day in jail would have been a source of embarrassment.  Now, it is a source of pride.  I am getting too old for this.

From Our Class Facebook Group

I'm so glad I had them set this up.  They are using it to talk to each other, even about math.  Here are a few of their comments.

Today, a calculus test took place. Approximately 95 students were submitted to this examination.

How did they fare?

mrs. pod showed it to me after.. it was soooo simple.. -__-

*bangs head on desk*

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we should all order it =)

we shouldd!

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what was the homework? its homework# 41, blue book, page something..? LOL. i forgot to write it down

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I found this list in the green book. It couldn't hurt to look over it, in case you've forgotten anything. We aren't going to be tested on inverse trig derivatives though.

 

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does 18 have an answer? or am i just doing it wrong..


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it doesn't make sense. if the tangent line's TANGENT to f(x) then it should only touch at one point.. thus they should only have one point in common right? ._. so confused.

just in case you wish to take a break from calc... here are some math pick up lines!

My love is like an exponential curve. It's unbounded.
My love for you is like a fractal - it goes on forever.

LOL i found them online xD

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omgg i really seriously need help with math hw... can someone help me

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Fifteen Minutes



For 15 minutes every day, Bobby is my star student.  After that, he loses it.  He starts fooling around with whoever is next to him and the pen in his hand is used for everything but math.  Nothing seems to keep him on target for much longer.  Yesterday, I hit upon a solution, a solution that won't cost any money--20 minute classes.  (It takes him 5 minutes to settle down so the five minutes extra are necessary.) The only way to deal with the hyper active is to keep them moving.

How Black Will Handle Class Size Problem

Poor and Dumb

Tutoring is available for kids who get free lunch. Do you have to be poor to need extra academic help?

The Decision



It's been made. I am at peace with myself.

My New Philosophy

— Dr. Seuss

"Those who mind don't matter and
Those who matter don't mind"

Stick To Your Plan

Several weeks ago, trying to motivate her students, Ms Harassed devised a bingo game.  She spent hours preparing boards and questions that were directly related to the topic she was reviewing.  She had her acetates in place and had even brought in candy to award to the winners.  Things were going great and she was very pleased when her supervisor stopped by for an unannounced observation.  She was sure he would finally say something good.  Unfortunately, things did not go as she expected.  She forgot to write the word bingo in her lesson plan. 

Ms Harassed learned from her mistake and never left the word bingo out of her lesson again.  She felt she was on her way to becoming the type of teacher her supervisor wanted her to be.

When Ms Harassed was a young teacher, she was taught that a good motivation at the beginning of a lesson was the way to get kids involved and motivated.  She wracked her brain for an interesting way to introduce perimeter and came up with the idea of handing out rulers and candy bars of various sizes and letting the kids measure the perimeters.  Once again, the kids were excited.  Once again, in the middle of the activity her supervisor appeared on the scene.   Ms Harassed was sure she had covered all her bases as this activity was clearly listed in her plan.She was not worried whens he said he wanted to see her in his office immediately after class with her lesson plan.   "Ms Harassed", he began "I see you remembered to include this activity in your plan.  However, your plan mentions Hershey Bars and you used Nestles Chocolate.  I am very disappointed in you.  You have learned nothing since our last conversation."  Ms Harassed explained that the supermarket was out of Hershey and she had already written the plan.  "Ms Harassed, that is not an excuse.  You should be better prepared.  I am going to have to put a letter in your file for this breach.  You must follow your lesson plan to the letter."

Ms Harassed looked at her supervisor, and with head held high, she said, "Fine", put a candy bar in her mouth, turned and left.  She realized she would never be right in his eyes and decided to stop trying.  She knew she was doing a good job with her students and in her heart and in her head, that was all that really mattered.

(This story is a fictionalized account of what could have happened.)

Message To Bloomberg And Others

"I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights."
— Dr. Seuss (Yertle the Turtle and Gertrude McFuzz)

Never Forgotten

Orkut Myspace Happy Birthday Comments & Graphics

My dad still signs my birthday cards;

Love,
mom and dad

Another Favorite Quote

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"

Dr. Seuss

Forgot To Mention

Check out latest in Huffington Post.  I put link here.

Also, more Aruba pictures here.

Dr Seuss Knows

"poor empty pants
with nobody inside them."
— Dr. Seuss

Natural Bridge

We took a dirt road to the Natural Bridge. It is partially collapsed but spectacular nevertheless.  The view was worth every bump we felt.  Next time we'll do it in a Jeep or on an ATV.  Pictures here.

Baby Beach

We took a trip to Baby Beach, the southernmost portion of Aruba that can be reached by paved roads.  It was worth the drive.  The sand is soft and white, the water beautiful.  My husband got to do some really great snorkeling in the lagoon.  More pictures here.

A nearby beach (Rodger's) had a scenic view of the refinery.  We didn't bother stopping there.

Water Fireworks--Aruba

Am I Reading Into This?

Here

Good Cop Bad Cop

She thought she was too smart to fall for the trick. She’d seen it hundreds of times on television and in the movies but she never imagined it would happen to her. I’m not actually referring to a crime unless of course being over 50 and still being productive at work is criminal.

(Read the rest here.)

Vacation Update

 

This year, instead of our usual all inclusive vacation in Jamaica, we rented a condo in Aruba.  We joined a vacation travel club and for not too much money we got the right to two weeks planned vacation anywhere the club has property.

We were originally going to be staying in a studio, which was a big step up from the hotel one room we usually stay in.  We got lucky and at the last minute got upgraded to a one-bedroom.  We had a fully equipped kitchen (not that we cook), a living room that could sleep two and a huge bedroom with a terrace overlooking the beach.  The bathroom even had a Jacuzzi. It was nice being able to watch television on a couch instead of in bed and when insomnia hit, my husband did not get woken up.  The beach and the pool were magnificent and the people that work here were extremely polite, friendly and helpful.  My only gripe (which everyone has been reading about) is the hotel’s Internet.  It was down all week.  I only got to check e-mail and write mini-posts from restaurants and malls and could not post any pictures.  Hopefully they will solve the problem because we want to come back next year.

In addition to the great hotel, we rented a car and roamed the island, north to south.  We hit every paved road and some dirt roads as well.  We saw calm beaches, rough beaches, an abandoned gold mine and a natural bridge.  My husband snorkeled on out of the way beaches and we met lots of nice people.  We found lots of great restaurants and lazed in the sun.  Vacations like these are what keep me going.

Right now I am at the airport waiting for flight home.  G-d’s way of making this less painful is giving us a rainy, overcast day.  It is still preferable to the weather that waits me at home.  I have one hour of free Internet to use before boarding the plane.  This is one island I will definitely  return to.