Thursday, April 2, 2009

What's Up with People..

Earlier this week, I had another “encounter” with someone that I work with. How would you like for someone taking something you worked on without permission? Yes, just like that. Oh, by the way, you found your “work” used as a scrap paper! URGH I am to my wits end with this person! I just can’t comprehend why he/she thinks that she can just take whatever from your desk and take it as her/his own!

This time, he took the worksheets I prepared a week ahead so I don’t have to "waste" my time at the copy room .. To my surprise, I found my worksheets used as scrap papers. I found more than half my stack in the recycling bin!

I understand I can only control my actions and reactions but what will you do if it was you? I called him as soon as I found out (i've got no worksheets to give to my students), I did not get anything from that person! It's beyond me! I am aggravated but it's just me. I need to be more careful next time, as in -not leave anything on my desk???!!! It's annoying. I just hope that people will have the nerve to keep their hands off anything that's not theirs!

I can understand if students do something stupid like that because you know-they don't think at times.. It's just discouraging if I see immature behavior from adults who I personally think would be ethical!

Sometimes I wonder what would that person do if he/she is in my shoes? I am so curious now. tfr!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Happy Monday???

Monday. I always love (yeah right!) Mondays. Seriously, this is the day I find the most challenging. Getting my ds up is a bit of a challenge lately… but that’s another story. I usually get to work later than I want to. It’s very important for me because it sets the tone for my whole week. It’s a new beginning.

I arrived to work 10 minutes than I normally would on a Monday. I was ecstatic! My day went as normal until I received a memo that I need to meet with a parent. Apparently, I have to meet with a parent of the child that I am greatly challenged. I welcome these kinds of challenges. I have been waiting for this opportunity. I was just hoping that the parent will be reasonable unlike the child.

On the way to the vp office, I was hoping that the apple falls far away from the tree. I have a lot in mind. The things I had to deal with this child is something else. I can’t begin to reason why she acts the way she does. I am certain there is a space in her heart that is good, and I have to uncover that.

Yes! My first impression was that the apple is kind of fell far away from the tree. Now, I just have to establish that. I don’t know how, but I am positive. I handed the child’s report card to the parent, after the greeting and all that. I can’t lie to you, it is bad. The worse thing about it is that the child does not even show any remorse. Well, it’s apparent that her emotions are just so mixed. I guess, it’s just normal for a kid to blame it all on someone else-and that happened to be me! It’s always me. From the way I was looking (staring -according to her), to the way I breathe. The bottom line is-I am consistent on my grounds. I established that I am in charge of the classroom, that she’s there to learn and to follow some kind of order.

In the end, she understood that she needs to keep her acts together. Now, just need to see it in action. I reassured the parent that I am in no way, shape, or form just picking on her child. I have 29 others to worry about. That I am there to help them succeed, above all, I honestly believe that her child is a “smart cookie”.

I am glad I made my Monday worthwhile not just for me but for the other lives I touched today (I am hopeful!). tfr!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday - the 13th

I am not really sure if I believe that Fri 13th is a bad day - my day at work was not that good today so I blame it on that famous "13th". My little people today are just so rowdy I don't even know what the devil made them think they can get away with not following the rules in my classroom! It only took one daughter-of-her-mother to make my room not conducive to learning. I promise you she will not get away with it. I called my “connections” (the guidance counselor and her mom) to meet with them so incidents like this will not occur again.
I know I should elaborate but I feel that it would be fair if all parties are aware before I disseminate the information.
Will an Update on this later. Tfr!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

WWW (as in Winter Weather Warning!!!)

I can't believe that we are having this "noreaster" storm this weekend. Last night, the local channel forecast was 4 to 8 inches in our area... Now, they're saying we are probably going to have about a foot of snow when everything is said and done.

I must be dreaming!!! My df and I went to the store yesterday and i did not even have a coat! The weather around here is very interesting. I just don't want to have another day off for monday. We already had 3 snow days to cover in june and I just can't afford to trade those nice, summer days over this cold, wintry, snowy, nasty day... hhuhhuhhu!

Well, I guess I can really do anything about it. I'll just worry about the weather tomorrow. Hopefully the weather guys are wrong in their predictions...

tfr

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

we will be Fatherless

My new mantra is "live for the NOW" but I could not help wondering about the future. I am talking about the future of our department, coping with the change for next year. It's now a common knowledge in our department that our “father” will be retiring.

The economy is to blame on this untimely decision. The state is pretty much showing the “older workers” the door! It does not matter that these employees are experts in their field or not. We will surely miss them.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

ttitlt intro

I am posting my "ttitlt" every week or as much as I can take time to ponder the little things I learn from students. As you may probably know, I teach in a city where tough kids reside and find comfort in their own little ways. Some people thinks that I am insane for doing so, but I believe in the goodness of my students hearts...

By the way, ttitlt means "to teach is to learn twice!"

I also learn from them!

Friday, January 23, 2009

ttitlt #1

Today is fantastic friday but not so fantastic for student a who came in crying because her boyfriend was "jumped on" by some students they don't know. Just imagine how a teenager would rant and rave then multiply that by 10times - that's what I had for my first block intro. She would not listen when I asked her to leave to see someone "to vent on" and she just went on firing "f bombs" and slangs. With my little patience and a nice tone of voice... I reminded everyone, not really directly talking to her (since I don't want anymore of her anger! I must be scared .... :) that "I understand that we can get upset and so aggravated sometimes (that it's not even funny!); but that does not give us any reason to be r-u-d-e!"

By the way, I like spelling some of the bad words they say to make a point that I really DISLIKE (instead of h-a-t-e) saying it, that I have a choice to NOT say it, and that it makes me cranky... they are starting to be aware of the words that will make my day good...

That student of mine started to cool off and went on with her assignments without any problems. She gave me a high five on her way out saying "You're a gangsta, miss!" I hope that means something good. I have to make sure I ask her what it means on monday.

tfr!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

students' inaugural paper

I am a little disappointed with what my students show me for their paper on the 44th president's inaugural address (that is related to math or anything they can associate with math). I am not sure if it's the defiance among teenagers or they just don't know how to write.

Only half of them handed in their work. Others said one night is "way too tight", some said that they cannot find anything to write about math. The winning excuse was "If it's geography or social studies, or english, I will not have a problem writing even 4 pages! I just can't find math in the speech!"

I guess, they are actually looking for the word "math" in the speech... no, I'd like to call it defiance.

For the students who did their work and see the math in it, I am proud of you guys!

tfr

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Classes Re - scheduled


Just for today, our principal re-scheduled our daily class schedule so we can accommodate all students to watch history in the making - he inauguration of the first African-American president Barrack H. Obama.


With the special schedule, I end up with an empty room and a tv all to myself! I must be lucky today! I sat in my desk and taped the speech. I thought that President Obama must be too nervous to take on the worst economy that both he and the Chief Justice Roberts had some flubs back and forth. They both are first-timers, so let's give it to them...


What struck me was his statement, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I just can't wait to see it happens. I am hopeful it will happen in the near future and that he will do good as a president, leader, and father.


For my students, I expect they will live up to my challenge - I need that paper tomorrow. tfr

Monday, January 19, 2009

suicide among teens

Our school is devastated at a loss of a person who chose to end his life. It's a terrible loss for his family, his friends, his community, and our school. It's sad to think that it can be anyone... I saw him in the hallway the recently ~ he seemed to be okay... His one of the students who would always say "hi" or greet you "good morning" and ask how do you do... with a smile on his face. Before you know it, he's not able to do such a thing... It's so sudden, so abrupt.

One of his friends said that they were outside his house hanging around afterschool the day he ended it. He said he'll catch them later, he needs to go take a shower. . . he never came back out... he never will...

I could not imagine what would it be to be his friends... should I feel guilty? Should I feel mad and hopeless? They only 15 and life change in a way they're not ready for...

In my opinion, it does not help that our dp is really magnifying the whole thing. I am just afraid that kids who need "attention" realize that maybe this is the attention they need and will follow suit. I hope that will not happen.

Click [here] and [here] to learn more about suicide among teens.

tfr!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

paper piles

My desk is so infested with student works and such that I really need to stay late one afternoon and get all my correcting done. I stayed a good hour each day this week but I had students asking for help or making up work that I was not able to do any of the tasks to my satisfaction.

Tomorrow is another day. . . Wish me luck! tfr

Friday, January 2, 2009

It's Jan 5, 09 - - - soon!

Before you know it, I will be in front of my students teaching them lessons (in class and in life ~hopefully). I hope that they had great Christmas break as I did. I hope that they find shelter in their parents/guardians' arm.

I guess, I will have to see them all again Monday.

Have a great 2009 ahead! Stay in school!

tfr