Death to TAKS'es!

At the end of the Fall semester last year, I had my students write an anonymous letter to me telling me what they liked, disliked, hated or just wanted to change. Overwhelmingly I heard that they didn't want me to mention the word TAKS again. They were right. I realized that I had begun prefacing many lessons with the admonition that "You will see this on the TAKS exam." What was I teaching them? Information on the test? How to bubble within an oval? I love teaching history because it is about people and the decisions made right or wrong. I hope my kids examine their lives and see themelves in some of these past events. I didn't go to school to learn how to proctor an exam. Who wants to retire with a plaque that reads, "Her students bubbled in the correct answers!!" I love what Alone on a Limb had to say about what we are teaching our kids. Death to TAKS'es!!!!

Ahoy matey

There is a brand spanking new middle school opening here next school year. Applications are now posted on the district website. The kicker is at that they are asking for a written recommendation from your current principal. Besides the fact that it is only February(which is still kinda early for transfer fever), you are only transferring within the district. You are not moving to another town. It also puts you in the spotlight. You are giving away your strategic position. You are announcing to your principal that you are fleeing the ship. That you have seen the iceberg and are already getting ready to launch the lifeboats. While some might say it is a courtesy to let your principal know of your intentions, it has just been my experience that they just don't take it well. Edumacational egos are very fragile and especially so for new principals. You also never know when you're going to have to work with that former principal again. I think that we may have hit the iceberg before Christmas break however. You can feel the ship starting to break in half. Do you think the captain has figured it out and will let us leave yet? We don't even hit the TAKS water until next week. Thar' be rough waters ahead mateys.

Homeboys-Reason #2

1. Do these kids really think I am going to chase them around and around the portables just so I can bring in another disgruntled teenager for skipping? Maybe if there was a candy bar bounty for each one. Seriously dudes, I do the metal detector everyday. You can run but I recognize your faces. Pulling up your hood to disguise yourself? Give me a break. You wear the same green hoodie with "Mexico" emblazoned upon it everyday. Oh and BTW-your friends ratted you out ten minutes ago.
2. You're three inches shorter than my 5 foot 3 inch frame but act like Mini-Me Mike Tysons. You are very busy being BAD. You also cry when your mother gets upset at your parent conferences and carry your little brothers and sisters around very tenderly. I get the macho nod when your friends aren't around.
P.S. : I like you too.

In the footsteps of Giants

At the risk of alienation like the Dixie Chicks, I have been apologizing for George Bush for a while. I have always brought up the fact that although Texas did introduce our self-proclaimed edumacational president, we did also have Ann Richards and Molly Ivins to make up a little bit for NCLB. Having been born in the age of chanign roles for women, I was impressed early with the idea that Texas Women could kick political butt and serve you a delicious peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream to soften the blow. From my Mama Pat, my spiritual mentor Easter Shaw, political hero Barbara Jordan and continuing along with Ann and Molly, I have been deeply touched by larger than life women and have found grace and inspiration at times of doubt in myself. I hope I can continue the good fight like these women. I know I will treasure my copies of Molly's books and mourn her passing. Her grit will be missed.

NERDS-Reason #1 Why wouldn't I want to be a teacher?

Part of the spice of teaching.

Where's my advance?

3:00 in the morning. Have just been woken up by my black lab who fancies himself the keeper of the backyard who must patrol for possums at ungodly hours. For some reason I have grabbed my monthly NEA magazine to keep me company. Am flipping through the pages when I see an article about teachers who blog. Wonder if I read any of these? I am absolutely gobsmacked to see my own delusional writings listed there. I am destined to be known as the teacher who sneaks jellybeans during class. I am secretly tickled at seeing my writing in print but also wishing I sounded a whole lot smarter. In my defense, those are some pretty good jellybeans. Hmmmm, jellybeans.

Bless you

Haven't been blogging much because I am afraid that I have a terrible case of the Whiney-itis. It sometimes masks itself as the easily-cured with chocolate Kvetch-amonia. Both of these are very contagious during TAKS season. Yesterday I was doing my "guerilla-type checking of my mailbox hoping that no one sees me" stroll when my principal pops out of her office and says those dreaded words, " I'd like to speak to you in my office for a moment." Deer, headlights...rabbit, hawk. Good analogy. Now to set up this scenario, you have to know that I spent a good deal of time filling out job applications during the "district called off school/didn't call off school/ 85 % student absentee rate" ice day. I also played a lot of Texas Hold 'em with the 8th graders. Anyway, she sits me down and tells me that she still wants to continue my position next year but wants to expand my duties. Since my duties have never been really outlined and change on a day to day basis, this is a surprise. Not because she wants to give me new duties but because she wants me back period. This a whole new administration this year and I sorta fill that gap between administration and teachers. I am like the caulk of the school. I have done every possible job including mopping, ordering supplies, co-teaching classes, profiling students, coordinating state tests, printing ID badges, copy room attendant, substitute teacher...My point is that I was really thinking I wouldn't be needed next year. That they would all somehow find their groove. I also miss being in the classroom and I told her that. She seemed stunned and asked me why I would want to be back there again. Her response really blew me away. How important does she consider teachers to be and what are her attitudes toward them? Was my principal asking me why I would possibly want to be in the classroom? Until I figure this one out, I am still in phase two of sending out resumes and as the cashier at Chick Fil-A told me yesterday, "God Bless You and Good Luck". Dear school, I think we are going to need it.

Auld Lang Syne

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go."-- Brooks Atkinson