Wednesday, February 17, 2010

pep-talk via social networking

I'm at the beginning of what promises to be an intense six weeks of work. (Not that my past few weeks have been stress free, but this I can anticipate coming.) But, in a strange venue for a pep talk one of the administrators from my building, who also happens to be my friend asked me how I was doing through facebook chat. I really didn't want to talk to her; I was trying to work (so, yes, I probably shouldn't have been on facebook at the same time) but she knew I was stressed and asked about it. I concurred, yep, stressed. She then proceeded to give me the nicest "Go Get'em Tiger" type speech. Including telling me that I was a "tremendous teacher" and if her son (overly precocious 3 year old) needed special ed (as if!) then she'd want him in my class. Wow, totally unexpected and completely welcome.

Monday, February 15, 2010

dare I say it, spring?


How's this for a hopeful image.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Lucky me!

There is something super endearing about a 22 year old boy who is excited to see Disney's, The Princess and the Swan. We didn't see it, because like most 22 year olds, food was a more pressing issue, but my kid brother would have happily accomplanied me if timing had worked out. I am so glad he lives in town. I get to know him as an adult for all that time I was in Texas and missed out on him growing up.

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day to me! Red wine and Harry Potter. Universe take note, I'm easy to please and hope to find a man who enjoys similarly fine aspects of life.

(Obviously, I'm feeling better today.)

Saturday, February 13, 2010

South Texas Picture Post 2


I feel sick and bleeeck today. Here's a picture!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

South Texas Picture Post 1


Pretty pictures until I have the energy to write and be clever. A pelican taken from Jim's Pier, a bayside institution. Jim's Pier is a few blocks from our beach house and a fun place to see all sorts of sea fauna. This time we saw this fellow and a slow moving sea turtle. So very cool.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Fisherman Frank

Back at work today after a quick jaunt down south. I may post more about the trip later, but right now I don't have enough energy. But, here's a funny kid story... Student, who we shall call Fisherman Frank has given me grief all year. He is the sort of kid who pushes my you-will-not-be-a sexist-racist-homophobic-jerk buttons all the time.

The sort of kid whose response to my constant "We don't use the word gay to mean stupid in my class" remark with "Okay, then I'll call him a fag." The sort who is an ass to the bad ass assistant principal and is the only kid I've sent to in-school-suspension all year. But, we are making progress. At the change of the semester he remarked that what he was learning to watch his mouth during the first 18 weeks in my class. A few minutes later I was reminding him again the things we do and do not say in my class and he rolled his eyes in a purposefully exaggerated manner and said, "Yeah, yeah, I'm learning to watch my mouth, you are continuing to teach me."

Progress takes baby steps and more often than not, his remarks are intelligent instead of racist.

Today, Frank was filling out a worksheet, I was helping everyone work on it, but basically they had to read a variety of occupational areas and fill in people who would fit each category. He was making some good connections and working at a good pace.

"So uhhh, who invented that one thing?" He was sort of asking me a question and sort of talking to himself.

"What, the internet? That was Al Gore." I said, loud enough for him to hear, but not to the whole class.

A brief look of confusion crossed his face, "Huh? What, oh (groan)...(voice drops down to nearly inaudible) you're a retard." But, he was grinning as he continued to work.

I laughed, because, I had won. "Yes Frank, but you think I'm funny." He didn't argue. "And besides," I said, "You're not supposed to call me (or anyone for that matter, but that's more than I can tackle) a retard."

He grinned, and kept working, much too smart, this time, to take the bait.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

checking in with the dean of students

One of my favorite administrators is the Dean of Students (DOS). He has a crappy job (he is basically in charge of ALL discipline for my high school of 2200+ students, but he also has a great attitude. I stuck my head into his office on the way out of the building today.

Me: Hey, I had something I needed to tell you.
DOS: Oh, good, I needed to talk to you about someone.
Me: No way dude, I already called not it on that new kid.
DOS: What, he's a 19 year old with zero credits, you can change his life.
Me: No really, I'll pass, let someone else carry that torch, he's shown up on my radar for brief moments of time for the past three years. (Each glorious moment, court appointed)
DOS: No, it wasn't him, it's a girl. She's even nice I think.
Me: I like nice.
DOS: She needs a math credit, why does she need a math credit?
Me: She didn't pass the 3rd grade math test.
DOS: Third grade, oooooh, (he makes a face) I can't help her. How can we get her a math credit.
Me (in my head): I'm not a math teacher, how the hell do I know.
Me (out loud): I don't know how to solve that problem.
DOS: Okay, well, think about that one.
Me: Did we graduate so and so (a kid who had been on my caseload for 4 years and was a jr. when I started).
DOS: Yes, and I got a call from the Navy.
Me: Uh, oh, did you tell them we won't take him back, after a 7 year stint with him we just give them a diploma? (Sort of a non-commital discharge)
DOS: Oh, it's okay, I told him he's all good and really now he's the problem of the US military...he's going to blow his hand off.

(this is just a portion of the conversation, we also discussed two drug dealing twins, a huge pain in our ass who recently transfered, and the ethics of just magic-ing some kids some credits)

Look out world, the class of 2010 is almost upon you because that is how things get done in public education.

Monday, February 1, 2010

picture post











I fly to Texas on Wednesday morning for my grandmother's memorial on Thursday. I'm not actually thinking about anything that might make me upset right now, I'm saving that until my family is around... So, here is a picture post. I've been taking photos of graffiti for years now, my favorite is happy or silly, or graffiti that professes love or affirms life. This one is one of my favorites, taken under the mirror at a bathroom of a local restaurant.