We have officially left the station

That’s right. It’s back to school. With the first two weeks behind us, we have now officially left the station, our little train steadily travelling onward through this Fall semester.

It really does take two weeks to get things going and the routing in place. The first three days everyone is a little dazed -kids and staff alike. We’re all thrown back to the reality of the morning alarm clock, having to decide what to wear to work, making lunches, looking over the to-do list, getting lesson plans ready, etc. Same for the kids. I had kids fighting hard not to fall asleep during my 8am class… they’re not used to getting up this early anymore.

And then off course there is that whole schedule mess, which does take about 5 to 10 days to settle. Kids not in their desired class go beg the counselors to re-adjust their schedule because their friend is in that one or this one, or that’s not what they’d signed up for last year, or this class is going to be to hard I want out, and on and on. On top of that, kids get lost or confused about where they go next at the bell.

If you’ve never been a part of the public school system, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about -or think it can’t possibly be like that. Turst me. After 10 years of teaching high school, I am well familiar with the start of the year. It all works out in the end. New bell schedule, new semi-block classes, new teachers -it all finds a way to mesh into one coherent organism that resumes its familiar dance throughout the day, at the tune of occasional ear piercing bells.

Ha, ha… an image just popped into my mind. Imagine a shool with a glass ceiling and a camera above, filming the day. Then play it in fast forward. You’d see this mass of dots going to and fro, entering a building, flowing like a river through hallways with each dot finding itself into a room for a period of time. Then a sound. All instantly get moving, flowing through hallways again, and repeating the behavior. And on through the day, until that last one at the end, where all dots exit the building.

Almost sounds hilarious and a bit ridiculous this way, doesn’t it?

Let me say though, that I am enjoying being back in the classroom. It’s all about being with the kids, afterall.

More about my impressions on the start of the year soon.

Gifted & Talented School Workshop

I’ve been at a workshop at school all week. At first I was feeling a little resentful that I had to spend an entire week in yet another booooring workshop. Well, let me tell you… surprise, surprise.

NOT boring at all. This is about how to better serve the G/T kids (i.e. Gifted and Talented). These are the kids that are overly “smart” in one or two particular field but could also be your regular kind of kids in the rest. Their brain literally functions differently than the rest of the population. They get to be the math genius, or music genius, or next most amazing artist, etc.

Get this, 60% of high school drop outs are G/T kids! 60%!

At first I was shocked, and then I thought, well, this makes sense. They are uterly bored because they get it the first time, and then have to sit through the same lesson for the next 5 days until everybody catches up.

My general experience with some of these kids is that they tend to be the clowns, the trouble makers, the rebels. They are in fact too smart for their own good.   Now I’ve also had some that were wonderful, mature, and a joy to work with.

What we must do, as educators, is channel that brain into challenging activities that will keep them engaged and interested.

Anyway, back to the work shop. It had been a tremendous eye opener, and I’d say probably the most useful and practical workshop I have been to in my years of teaching high school. The presenter is doing an excellent job. I would recommend for every educator out there to get the information. It’s that good.

The irony is that the public schools are very well funded and supported for all special ed. services, but lags behind for the G/T kids. Who do you think is most likely to run a corporation, come up with new inventions, cure, be elected in public office, or … [fill in the blank]… in the future?

Not to say that special ed services are to be removed. We just need to remember that they are other “special” kids are out who’s needs are not met.

Well, I’m off to the last day of this presentation… 

Final Week In Public Education

I am a High School teacher and this week is Final Week… also involving graduating Seniors coming around to “check out,” which is to say get their grades, finalize any fines / fees / dues / books / equipement they might still owe, etc.

One particular aspect of this time of year that I’ve noticed has gotten worst over the years, is the lack of accountability for some of these kids. These are kids, mind you, that are on the verge of setting out into the world, away from the protection -and financial safety for some- of Mom and Dad; who are about to learn what real responsability is, where College professors do not hassle you to turn in your work, and make sure you understand your homework, and are taking the proper notes, and studying for your exam, etc, etc. etc.; where they actually are going to have to take it upon themselves to do what needs to be done.

I worry about some of these kids. The world can be a harsh wake up call.

Unfortunately, the entire public school system does anything BUT teach self responsibility to kids today. On the contrary, I think we have in place a system that has, from the time toddlers come into it to the time they are enleached onto the world at 17-18 years of age, quite effectively for about 90 % of these kids, taken away most any initiative, imagination, and sense of responsibility for personal behavior.

Now schools are not completely to blame. Our society and culture in general has had a downward trend for a while now, and schools were never meant to teach manners and respect -that’s the parents’ job, but the system of public education is limited and outdated.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some extraordinary teachers out there who are the most caring and dedicated individuals I know. I myself care a great deal about “my kids.” However, I also see the failures of our system and feel sadden for it. One saving grace lies in these teachers who offer a ray of hope for some of these kids who would literally not make it through their 4 years otherwise.

For me personally, having students come back to visit and tell me my class was what kept them sane and helped them make it through the day is worth all the gold in the world.

I got off my main train of thought from where I was going at the start with this…

I was going to comment on the lack of accountability -I cannot tell you how discusted I feel with seniors coming around to whine and try to weasle their way through excuses after excuses as to why they did not complete their project, or did not turn in this or that, or why they do not have their assignments in on time… all just to get that “good enough” grade to pass and get out.

And the scarriest thing about this is, they do not see anything wrong with this picture at all.

Believe me, I’ve had this conversation with more than one kids every year. Lying is ok, cheating is ok, being sneaky is ok, lack of integrity is ok, cursing is ok, being rude is ok… it is all OK and expected and NORMAL, as far as a lot of kids today are concerned. It’s a normal way life of today. It is all OK as long as you don’t get caught -then it’s all a matter of taken on the poor-me victim role, blame as many others as you can to get off, and never admit anything wrong of take responsibility for your behavior. It’s ALWAYS someone else’s fault.

And we wonder what’s wrong with society today.

Sad indeed.

I’ve been a public teacher for 10 years. I have seen this attitude become more and more prevalent.
All I can say is, most likely, my own kids will not be going to public school.

I am grateful for all the teachers out there. I know it’s a hard job. I know it’s also a very rewarding job for those kids that we do reach -and there are a lot of good kids out there too. I don’t mean to belittle that fact. It’s the end of the school year, I am tired and venting a little.

I’ll miss “my kids” and wish them well. I hope they do come visit. Despite all, I’m glad to be a teacher.