Check Out This Video--Short and To The Point

This might help explain why the schools here are better than ours.

http://video.ak.fbcdn.net/cfs-ak-snc6/84529/504/10150113083872693_64963.mp4?oh=ed324df2b4a13415a887af6a3752841e&oe=4DAA4D00&__gda__=1303006464_4023bc01a12ceb76eba89bd22ba15d3e

No Party



I can't celebrate leaving something I was never a part of. 

Addiction



Took a cell phone away from a girl today.

She then spent the period holding her calculator like a  phone and pushed buttons the entire period, pretending she was texting.  (She was not doing this to give me a hard time, that is not her style.)

I've heard of strange addictions before, but this one takes the cake.

Running Defense



Can't say more, but there is a bastard out there still trying to destroy kids. 

The teacher trying to run defense is taking a big hit too.

I just read the letter the teacher wrote and the answer received (which was written with the worst possible grammar imaginable.)  I'm pulling for the kid but not hopeful unless someone more powerful jumps in to help.

Hope nothing bad happens to the teacher.

Our Next Assignment

Next, we'll be wiping their butts.  That seems to be the only job we are not doing.

Chihuahau Needs Home

CONTACT:

BROOKLYN NEW HOPE STAFF:

Sabrina James, New Hope Coordinator

Jess Van Brunt – New Hope Coordinator

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays 9:30am – 6pm

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:30am – 8pm

Email:  newhopebrooklyn1@nycacc.org and newhopebrooklyn2@nycacc.org.

Call: (718) 272-6348

 

Lucky A892923 – 4 yr. neutered Chihuhaha.  Surrendered twice for biting / aggression…needs an experienced placement. 14.5 pounds

 

Does not like toys, food, rawhide touched, shows resource guarding….he allows handling at times but then may bite out of fear other times. 

 

 

BARH

AMB X4

VERY NERVOUS,DOES NOT TOLERATE HANDLING

AGGRESSIVE

H/L--NSF

MILD TARTAR AND GINGIVITIS

MILD OVER WEIGHT

ACCORDING TO RECORD-----RABIES WAS GIVEN--03/18/11

DA2PP--03/18/11 BY GRAND ANIMAL CLINIC-- DR GOPAL BARRY

NSF

 

 

 

 

My Negative Attitude



I vowed to say nothing, contribute nothing at departmental meetings.  I want to survive until June.  I ignored  The big ticket item,  and finally, another person said something.  (Not that it did any good.) 

Some things cannot be iced over and when the person in charge says, "even Mr. T would be considered an effective teacher."  (Mr. T is on medical leave until June when he retires after a long, fruitful career.)  Before I could stop myself, I said, "It is not appropriate to talk about Mr. T that way."  Of course I was told that nothing bad was meant by that comment and the expression was reworded.  I was then asked why I am always so negative.

Negative POd got the conversation changed and managed to drag Mr. T's name out of the mud.  I know he wouldn't care, but I do.  I'm sure my name will be there next year and I don't think anyone will risk their reputations by defending me, but that is okay.  I hope the people left realize that any one of them can be next.

Opening Her Mind



Peggy doesn't care for school much.  Well, that is not exactly true.  She likes school, she just doesn't like going to classes or doing any work.  In spite of getting a 40 in my class, Peggy and I have a great relationship and always spend a few minutes chatting when we pass in the hall.

Today I asked Peggy how she is doing in math this term.  Last time we had that conversation she was doing quite well.  I knew there was trouble when she hesitated before answering and then told me the class started too early for her (She doesn't do 9:15.)  I made the mistake of asking her about college and she told me she doesn't have any future plans.  I then asked her what she didn't want to do and she couldn't answer either.  I asked her about a future of cleaning bed pans and vomit?  She made a face and said "no way."  I then asked her how she felt about cleaning tables and bathrooms in McDonald's or picking up dog poop and she gave me the same answer.

Peggy is no closer to making a decision about her life.  She is only 15 and while I don't expect her to change her ways, but I got her thinking.  Knowing what she doesn't want might end up being just as useful as knowing what she wants.

Good Or Evil

One week to go!

I Know This Administrator!

South Bronx and I work in different schools, but the administrator he is describing sounds vaguely familiar.  Read his post here.         

Today's Newsday is still blaming teachers for all the woes of the schools.   When will the media open their eyes to administrators who fall into this category?

And The Big Companies Get Richer All The Time



I heard the tutoring companies are getting $4800 per kid for Title I programs!!!!  I really hope this is not true.  Please, someone, anyone, write and tell me I heard wrong.

For that kind of money each kid could be provided with a private teacher in their own homes.

What a crock of crap!!!

Hey Obama, if this is true, your Race To The Top stuff really stinks!!

Don't Worry, I Can Carry Your Load Too



This group of people never seem to get the job done correctly.  We were told that we are all smart and should be able to learn to do what they are getting paid to do.  The others are supposed to be smart, they got the job, didn't they?  Obviously, someone thinks they aren't.   But hey, there is a solution.  Let us do it.  Let's make their jobs easier.

Not Sharpest Knife In The Drawer



I wouldn't take a job if doing it well meant I had to learn Russian in a weekend. Shouldn't Black have thought the same thing?  Guess she is not as smart as she thinks she is.

A Victory



Read about it here.

On My Way Out But This Had To Be Shared First

The cover of AM NY

7-11 Administrator



I never had a supervisor I liked, but I have had ones who knew math,  knew how to teach and how to recognize good teachers.  They knew their subjects inside out.  They passed rigorous tests to get their positions.  I never liked being observed but the old ones, the ones that knew their stuff and often ripped me apart, taught me to be a better teacher.

I never thought I would say this, I miss those old supervisors. What can anyone possibly learn from  administrator who knows little to nothing about the subject s/he is in charge of and has minimal experience, often in subjects unrelated to what s/he is in charge of ?  What can anyone possibly learn from the administrator who got his/her degree with borrowed papers, no books and a degree from the nearest 7-11?

This Kid Does It All

Talent and brains.
Calculus students perform at Battle of the Bands. Wish I could post the video.

Thursday Bonus



If Moses Had The Internet

Thanks to my little Italian friend who helps make our seder wonderful.

You'll Laugh Until You Cry

From my crazy friend Inez!

From One Of My Calc Kids

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg8nzv8fEY1qgh99jo1_500.jpg

Spring Cleaning



A fellow blogger told me I should update my blog list.  He was right.

This post is for you!

If I Was A Billionaire



If I was a billionaire.

I would open my own school and take in kids like Rosie, Billie and Nutjob, good kids but kids that don't function like everyone else.  I'd put them in small classes, classes with maybe 5 or 6 students where they could not get distracted and had to show up.  I'd nurture their strengths and provide help for their weaknesses.  I'd provide and environment that would encourage their growth.  There would be rules, but rules they could live with.  I'd provide their teachers with good salaries, benefits and encourage them to join the union.

If I was a billionaire I wouldn't spend my money on pretty advertisements and television ads telling the world what a great job I was doing.  I'd use my money to do a good job and it wouldn't matter if the only ones who knew were Rosie, Billie and Nutjob.

Shocked



It's that time of year again, the time the stockholders of McGraw Hill get to pick up a little extra cash because the children of NYC are taking Acuity Tests, those tests designed to tell teachers what their students need to work on to be successful on the regents.

The kids know it is a big waste of time.  One boy walked in and announced that he wasn't going to take it.  I knew arguing wouldn't get him to change his mind, so I said, "Please, I get in trouble if you don't."  He then said, "For you, I'll do it, can I have a pencil?"  He sat down and worked the entire period on the exam.

I'm still in shock.  I didn't think this kid even liked me.

And The Survey Says...



Just did my school survey. 

The money spent on this could have provided my students with the double period math they so desperately needed.   It could have provided for smaller classes.  It could have provided more tutoring.  (Title I tutoring is not for everyone.)  It could have provided for more deans. 

This money could have been used to plug the gap in the budget.

INSTEAD, THIS MONEY IS USED TO LINE THE POCKETS OF SOME RICH COMPUTER COMPANY. 

This is the fifth year of the study, the fifth year money has been tossed down the drain.  In five years nothing this survey has shown has improved schools.

The Duchess



The duchess sits on her throne in the safety of her own room. There are peasants she is supposed to care for, but doing so will interfere with tea time and she will have none of that. 

A message was sent to the duchess with a big URGENT across the front.  One of her subjects was in trouble and needed immediate help.  The duchess responded--three weeks later.  She did her job. She forwarded the e-mail to someone else and absolved herself of all responsibiltiy.

The king should be going after the duchess.  She needs to be called down for her lack of involvement.  She has been acting this way for so long, no one even cares or notices. cares.  No one really cares about her subjects anyway so this post is just a moot point.

Have A Good Week



I might look cute on the outside, but it doesn't take a full moon for my inner beast to come out.

Reasons For Their Behavior



James asked the teacher to explain the example she had just done.  I could feel the teacher's anger as she stood over the boy and said "It is not enough for you to come here and write the work down.  You have to pay attention and do the work along with me.  These problems are not so hard to understand.  You are not even trying."

I get the teacher's frustration.  Lord knows I've felt it myself many times.  But, that is not what bothered me.  As I looked around the room I noticed that only ten seats were filled, ten seats in a class with a register that was probably at least 25.  I looked at the students that were in the room, and realized many of them were troubled kids, kids who cut school quite a bit, did little to no work when in class and sometimes were quite disruptive when present.  James was in his seat, pen in hand, notebook open, trying to do the right thing and not understanding.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't there for more than three minutes so I can't say what preceded that little comment but I know kids like James.  Even if he was acting crazy before, he was trying now.  These kids don't want to mess up.  They just can't help themselves.  I don't know whether it is ADD or something else, but they just can't do what society says they are supposed to do when in school.

I have many students like James  (actually, I have 16 students like James) in my algebra class.  One girl hands me her cell phone when she walks in the room because she can't stop herself from using it during class.  Another boy told me he has a hard time concentrating with noise yet he is one of the biggest noise makers in the group.  The one that really gets to me is Dwayne, the biggest disruptor in the room.  Dwayne is a tall, good looking, sweet boy with the maturity of a 4 year old.  I always thought that was his problem until I got him to sit with me one day to go over some of the work.  One-to-one I saw that Dwayne acts out because he just can't follow even the easiest of examples.  I've promised to work with him on a daily basis but so far he has not returned for that help.  It is easier for him to fail because he goofs off than to fail because he can't.

The new teacher rating system is coming out this year.  While I know I would never fall in the highly effective category, I think I have been fairly effective over the years and the reason is that I get to know my students.  I can read James and know why he cannot comprehend the material being taught.  I would never blame him outright.  I would never rub salt in the wounds that hurt him so much.

I'm Bad And I Don't Care



I'm bad.  I don't follow directions, especially when I believe the directions are wrong.

I just finished writing this week's algebra exam.  I didn't use multiple choice questions in part I like I am supposed to.  I want to see how the problems are being solved.  If I can understand their thought process, I can help them find the way to the correct solutions.  Just looking at a column of a's b's, c's and d's might make marking easier but it doesn't help the learning process.

I know the regents is largely multiple choice, but regents problems aren't worth 5 points each.  The kids need partial credit and they need to see their mistakes and for that, we need more than an answer.  I've seen too many kids just guess at the right response.  Math should not be a guessing game.

Awesome



One of the most awesome students I have ever come across did not get into his first choice of colleges.  But, the school told him that is he applied some additional information, it is possible they will change their minds and accept him.  His guidance counselor told me this kid has overcome many obstacles to reach the point he is at today.  Nobody is more deserving.  Here's the letter I wrote.  Let me know what you think.  I told him I would do my best and I always keep my word.

To Whom It May Concern:

When I think about all the reasons I do not want to retire from teaching one thing comes to my mind first, and that is the name Bobby Berson.  In my over 35 year teaching career I have come across many amazing students but none can compare to this amazing young man. 

Bobby is a student in my advanced placement calculus class, but in many respects Bobby is in a class all by himself.  His motivation level surpasses that of any high school student I have ever encountered.  He not only does every problem assigned, he does every problem he can find.  He walks around with a math book in his hand and not only questions and works on problems he has already been introduced to, he goes ahead and unwraps the mysteries behind those problems he has not seen.  Unlike other teens, he is not in a hurry to leave at the end of the day and he can always be found in the math office, or in my classroom, book and pen in hand, waiting to learn something new.

Bobby is not really in a class by himself.  He is one of the most active students I have ever seen.  There is a large group of students that constantly surround him as he explains what they could not grasp in class.  He is never too busy to help although he is taking three advanced placement classes himself.  When we cover a new topic in class, he goes online to find videos and other resources to make the subject easy to understand and posts links to these in a place everyone can easily access.

Bobby has a warm smile and a personality that lights up a room.  He is loved by students and teachers alike.  He is warm and outgoing and cares about everyone around him.  Although he loves learning and school, he is not a geek whose only interests include school and learning.  If I would have retired last year, as originally planned, I would never have met Bobby, and my life and my career would not be as rich as it is now. He is truly a remarkable young man.

Bobby would like to study engineering in college.  As the wife and mother of two engineers, I know first hand the type of individual who will be successful in that field.  I know the hard work and the intellect that is required and Bobby has both.  Any school will be fortunate to have him as a member of their student body.  I recommend him higher than I have ever recommended anyone in the past.

TV Interview



Mention strawberries to me and I will immediately think of that pretty red fruit I don't much like, unless of course it is blended with lots of ice and tequila.  But, when a local paper had a 50% off coupon for Darryl Strawberry's Grill in Douglaston, I bought one right away.  My husband loves their burgers, they make a mean one with veggies and, if you get there during happy hour, beers are only $2.00 a piece.

I am ashamed to admit that I know as much about baseball as Bloomberg and Black know about education, but that didn't stop me from talking to the reporter who asked me what I would do if I could buy the Mets.  Without hesitation, I said, "I would give them to Bloomberg so he could fix them like he fixed the schools in New York. since he is an expert on everything."  I got my Black and Bloomberg dig out!  I happened to be wearing my Packemin union sweatshirt at the time.  The guy loved my answer and told me I would be on the air.  Unfortunately I don't get the cable station it will appear on but he promised to send me a link when it is up online.  I'll post it on the private blog.

(Strawberry was supposed to make an appearance but we didn't hang around.  I wait for no man!)

It's been a long week that ended with dinner in a very noisy bar but this one little segment made the week for me.

Clueless Cathie



Clueless Cathie is opening her mouth again.  This time she is visiting schools and making observations and comments about things she knows nothing about.  She is still spouting that nonsense about how class size doesn't make a difference.  She has never compared learning in a room of 20 to a room of 34, so how can she possibly know what works best?  She claimed a five page research paper is not much of a research paper but I wonder if she spent any time speaking to the teacher and finding out exactly what went into the paper.   And she talked about principal leadership, saying "I mean, it sounds silly, but occasionally I’ll see a principal walk by some, like, crunched up piece of paper," she said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time they lean down and pick it up. For me it’s about leadership at the top."  I can't figure out whether she things picking up the paper is a good thing or not.  (Probably excepts the teachers to do garbage patrol.)

Clueless is worried about the number of high school students that are not prepared for college.  She doesn't talk about fudged scores, credit recovery, seat time or boot camps.  Her big issue is the teacher.  "What are we going to do with teacher effectiveness, teacher evaluations, having the best teachers in every single class?"   She's  the boss.  She should walk into my algebra class, see kids who can barely sit still for 30 minutes, don't do homework, don't pay attention and show me how to be more effective.  She should be able to come up with a solution that will bring these kids up to par in a few short months.

Packemin is a great high school.  Today I found out one of my former students got in to Princeton, Yale, U Penn, Cornell and Columbia.  Two of my AP calculus girls got into Sophie Davis Medical Program.  Another won the Science Fair Competition and will be going California to represent NYC in the next round.  About 400 students were inducted into ARISTA tonight.  We have effective teachers but we are only this effective because we have fantastic kids.  Put the same teachers in some of these failing schools and I guarantee you the results will not be the same.  And, many of us are not effective with the kids we teach at Packemin.  (I couldn't do a thing to help New Boy.)  But Clueless Cathie doesn't know about these things.  She paid a visit to Packemin, arrived an hour late and spent a short time in the Principal's office talking to a select group of students.  Clueless Cathie didn't walk around and see Packemin.  She didn't see the kids falling through the cracks because the guidance counselors have caseloads so large they cannot get to know them.  She didn't see the kids the teachers can't help because there are just too many around.  Clueless Cathie needs to stop talking about teacher effectiveness and look for some other ways to help the children of New York if she is sincere in her desire to leave a legacy of real education reform.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place



Unhappy where he is, unhappy at the thought of leaving, he doesn't know what to do.

The thought of wearing sweat pants, playing cards and lunching with the guys for the rest of his life is not something he is looking forward to.  He doesn't like the present but fears the future without the present because, in spite of his current melancholy, there are parts he cannot imagine living without.

Decision time is approaching.  He will not let his heart lead the way..

Even The Kids Notice

Quite a few of my students were at the big science fair at the Museum Of Natural History.  They met Obama and were impressed with his speech and the attention he gave many of the exhibitors. 

They told me Bloomberg is short and noticed him not shaking any hands.  They also noticed Cathie Black's short speech and her quick dart to the exit.  The kids said she had her bag over her shoulder and her feet in the direction of the door while the microphone was still in her hand.

Once again our education mayor and the chancellor are showing their respect and concern for the children of NYC.

Clothes Alone Won't Do It



I tried to tell the kids that being successful means more than putting on a tie or a nice dress.  I tried to show them a correlation between doing school work and achieving in real life.

I don't think they got it.

New Boy Again



New Boy couldn't deal with my not letting him cheat on yesterday's test.  In my long career, I have never been spoken to the way he spoke to me today. He even followed me down to cafeteria to continue his rant.  He ended by saying, "Go tell Principal I was disrespectful again."

Once again, I wrote him up again.  He is supposed to be removed from my class.  Hopefully this will be the last time I have to deal with him, but the trouble he causes won't end.  He'll just be end up torturing some other poor soul.  We've got to stop sweeping the dirt under the rug if schools are going to get fixed.