Election day is looming. I can't say I care one way or the other - my pitiful single vote doesn't make a whole lot of difference. I do worry, though, that a lot of the spiteful rhetoric isn't going to evaporate like dew on a sunny day. There are seriously crazy people (on both sides) who aren't going to be able to respect the office even though they might not like the office-holder. And down that path lies social chaos.
Good things I forgot to mention the other day - filling the car's gas tank for $30 or less. Hasn't happened in a long time (and hey, didn't Exxon/Mobil have record profits yet again?).
Been in a foul mood all weekend. No particular reason, but school gives me plenty. Excessive paperwork, a massive student project that has to be "judged" by outsiders to the school, and even though it was not going to be officially graded, somebody had the bright idea of putting it on the report card. Now we math teachers have been slipped a number - 91% proficient. Beats me where they pull this stuff, but I know on a given day I don't have 91% of my kids who are compliant with the dress code. Last year I taught over 100 kids, and from what I could tell from test scores only 8 scored less than proficient. Sounds like I already hit that benchmark, but the sky is already falling and whips are cracking. Plus taking four days off means I have to prepare lessons that are basically self taught for the sub to hand out. And having seen the kids working in groups for two days - well, it is hard to believe they can do anything with OR without supervision.
Today I took some of my frustration out by visiting one of the (four) local Nissan dealerships. We bought our first car from them in 2002 and they send us all kinds of cute mailings about trading in, demand is high for our old car, etc. Reading between the lines, they want to have our debt. The latest mailing said they will give us "maximum trade in" for our current car and will get us a new car at the same or lower payments (the car is paid off, so again, good luck there). We went in armed with a few bits of knowledge - first, the trade-in for our car is around $7000. Second, our niece got a new Versa in June for around $12,000. So, we figured we might be able to get a decent deal. Found the only manual transmission car on the lot, which was an OK color and interior. Went inside to start playing the number game.
The first offer was ridiculous. They not only lowballed the trade-in, but then deducted over $1000 for things accounted for by the estimate I had online (paint, wear and tear, etc.). The "generous" manufacturer cash offer amounted to $500, which seemed less than generous. We came to realize we had picked a lousy time, since all the October deals ended on Friday and the dealers won't get November incentives until Monday. On top of this, they deal more at the end of months, when sales goals need to be met. We held firm, told the salesman in no uncertain terms where we wanted to see numbers, and exactly how they could get them there. Two rounds later we hadn't budged and the manager came in to explain margins on the smaller cars and how he would be taking a loss. I told him I would come back when they sent the "free turkey" postcards out and see if they were ready to put us in a new car. In the meantime we would visit other dealers to see how reasonable they could be. Then we had to wait for our car to be brought back around - they had anticipated we would sign the papers on the new one.
We walked out smiling, not having been forced into anything and feeling like we held the upper hand. And we just might do it again next weekend, with the dealership that sold us the Sentra. We have a plot in mind for them to assume the note on the Sentra, roll the unpaid portion into a new loan for a Versa - as long as they can meet the price we want to pay. It is fun to be a bastard sometimes.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Crazy Times
Good things today -
Paycheck with (finally) our contracted increase. But the retroactive pay (going back to July) will have to wait. With a system in financial dire straits, they hold the money as long as they possibly can.
My "vacation" leave for next month was put into the system without me having to do anything. The substitute, who is almost a permanent faculty member, she subs so much at our school, got it all arranged once I told her the dates.
Weather was really nice this afternoon. Of course, I was driving instead of biking. The past two days were super cold (for Memphis) pre-dawn, but it made me realize that a bunch of my doubts about commuting were non-issues. Some of the hills are not even obstacles any more. Riding before the sun rises has been handled, and now I know the best way to dress for anything down to about 30 degrees. I still don't dare brave the rains, though.
Not so great -
The kids are getting VERY restless and disobedient. A few obvious notes being passed, as if they want them to be seen, expressing very negative attitudes peppered with curse words. Yesterday we had a meeting to educate us on gang activities, and I had a less than pleasant dream along those lines and it has put me on a bit of a hair trigger. Meanwhile I have kids who, when a parent is called, disrespects their parent on the phone in the process of trying to explain how and why they couldn't have had an attitude with me. Other parents who basically say "yes, he/she does the same thing at home, I just don't know what to do" and leaves it to us to manage.
Well, one more day, then one week, and I will be having a bit of a break. Then Thanksgiving lands and before you know it, the year is over.
Paycheck with (finally) our contracted increase. But the retroactive pay (going back to July) will have to wait. With a system in financial dire straits, they hold the money as long as they possibly can.
My "vacation" leave for next month was put into the system without me having to do anything. The substitute, who is almost a permanent faculty member, she subs so much at our school, got it all arranged once I told her the dates.
Weather was really nice this afternoon. Of course, I was driving instead of biking. The past two days were super cold (for Memphis) pre-dawn, but it made me realize that a bunch of my doubts about commuting were non-issues. Some of the hills are not even obstacles any more. Riding before the sun rises has been handled, and now I know the best way to dress for anything down to about 30 degrees. I still don't dare brave the rains, though.
Not so great -
The kids are getting VERY restless and disobedient. A few obvious notes being passed, as if they want them to be seen, expressing very negative attitudes peppered with curse words. Yesterday we had a meeting to educate us on gang activities, and I had a less than pleasant dream along those lines and it has put me on a bit of a hair trigger. Meanwhile I have kids who, when a parent is called, disrespects their parent on the phone in the process of trying to explain how and why they couldn't have had an attitude with me. Other parents who basically say "yes, he/she does the same thing at home, I just don't know what to do" and leaves it to us to manage.
Well, one more day, then one week, and I will be having a bit of a break. Then Thanksgiving lands and before you know it, the year is over.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Below Freezing
Yep, getting our first frosty night tonight. We don't get hard freezes down here, just cold. Got the gloves, long shirt and spandex pants and windbreaker for tomorrow. Yes, I plan to bicycle.
Coming home was an experience...heavy headwinds, then nearly mowed down by a Hummer that ran a red fully 5 seconds after it went red. I overruled my better judgment and followed, and actually caught up at the next red light. I came off the curb, parked my bike in front of her and walked to the *open* driver's window.
She: I know.
Me: WHAT do you know?
She: *confused look*
Me: You nearly killed me when you ran that red light.
She: sorry
Me: Sorry? SORRY? *shakes head*
Hops on bike, parting shot includes some F and C words. Back on sidewalk and gone before the light changes.
As the Hummer drives away I notice the emergency flashers are going, and the thing is making some awful squealing sounds. I can't imagine what she hit or ran over to skew the front end alignment fully 20 degrees off, but I hope it wasn't a bicyclist.
Coming home was an experience...heavy headwinds, then nearly mowed down by a Hummer that ran a red fully 5 seconds after it went red. I overruled my better judgment and followed, and actually caught up at the next red light. I came off the curb, parked my bike in front of her and walked to the *open* driver's window.
She: I know.
Me: WHAT do you know?
She: *confused look*
Me: You nearly killed me when you ran that red light.
She: sorry
Me: Sorry? SORRY? *shakes head*
Hops on bike, parting shot includes some F and C words. Back on sidewalk and gone before the light changes.
As the Hummer drives away I notice the emergency flashers are going, and the thing is making some awful squealing sounds. I can't imagine what she hit or ran over to skew the front end alignment fully 20 degrees off, but I hope it wasn't a bicyclist.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Giving up
Had a nice talk with my team teachers today. They can see the stress getting to me, and a lot is my work ethic - I don't want to give up on any kids, even the ones that have barriers to learning, or allowing themselves to try. I buy into the hype, that if I put more effort in, I will reach them. Reality says I won't. On top of it all, the government (NCLB) looks over my shoulder all the time, questioning my value and ability as a teacher.
I just have to let it go to avoid what my colleague calls busting a gasket. They worry about me, as the stress does get to me, plus I have different challenges with my pigmentation. I can't say the exact same things as the others on the team and not catch flak. Plus I allow my buttons to be pushed too often.
On the home front, my oldest got her report card today. 2 A, a C, a D and 2 F. She doesn't give a damn about handing in homework, and holds grudges against teachers, playing classroom lawyer about talking "before class starts" etc. If this keeps up, we won't be paying an arm and a leg for her to finish out her senior year, which will severely compromise her college aspirations.
I just have to let it go to avoid what my colleague calls busting a gasket. They worry about me, as the stress does get to me, plus I have different challenges with my pigmentation. I can't say the exact same things as the others on the team and not catch flak. Plus I allow my buttons to be pushed too often.
On the home front, my oldest got her report card today. 2 A, a C, a D and 2 F. She doesn't give a damn about handing in homework, and holds grudges against teachers, playing classroom lawyer about talking "before class starts" etc. If this keeps up, we won't be paying an arm and a leg for her to finish out her senior year, which will severely compromise her college aspirations.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Counters
Never did find any suitable tokens/counters, whatever. So this morning I made a ton. 1 inch squares with + or - on them. Different bright colors for each. Even got a teacher to spot me some ziploc bags to store them in. First class was wonderful, enjoyed it. Second class wouldn't let themselves try as much, so were off task and frustrating to me. There are some wild ones in there, so it wasn't so bad. Then the third group...no interest at all. Then again, they are Honors, and sometimes think they are above all this. Still, had to call three parents - shards of rubber bands flying, and finding one (idiot) with part of the same rubber band in his hand, several pieces around his desk and on his books. Of course, he didn't do it. So I called his mother and laid out the situation, even stressing I didn't see him shoot the rubber band. The rest of the class proceeded to argue, led by one boy whose parents have basically given him a free pass to act an idiot. His dad got a call, too, so he proceeded to be a dick while transitioning to lunch. I passed him off to a different teacher.
So, what should have been a victory lap for me was kind of mixed. Two classes got a lot out of it, two others I have to rethink for recalcitrant obstinacy. The Honors class deserves to be forced to think for themselves, but too many are lazy. Nurture over nature on this one.
So, what should have been a victory lap for me was kind of mixed. Two classes got a lot out of it, two others I have to rethink for recalcitrant obstinacy. The Honors class deserves to be forced to think for themselves, but too many are lazy. Nurture over nature on this one.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Writing
I got an email from a regional coordinator (or something like that) for the National Writers Month. I tried unsuccessfully last year, but with the conditioning I have done in keeping this blog alive and pretty much regular, aside from last week, I think I can do it.
I am still struggling with being a "good" teacher. I tend to talk instead of getting the kids involved with hands-on stuff. I don't have a great depth of manipulatives for them to mess around with, plus I don't have a huge level of trust that those things won't be pocketed, broken, thrown, etc. I spent a good deal of time looking for poker chips so I could make sets of positive and negative counters (concrete items for rather non-concrete concepts) to work on adding, subtracting negative integers, and forming zero pairs.
This lack of structure is, in theory, what is making my classes have a potential for disruption. In theory, again, students who aren't engaged will find other things to engage them. On the other hand, some kids won't let themselves be engaged, either because it is more fun to disrupt or because they can't sit still, can't recognize their own behavior. Argh.
Still haven't had that impending bicycle accident, but Memphis drivers are sure giving me a run for my money. Today I checked behind me, let a car pass me and signaled to move into the left lane (which is essentially the double yellow line, as I was going to turn left onto my street) because the next car coming up was in my current far right lane. As I get into my left lane, here is the car, who switched lanes without signaling, and won't respect my position. He cuts past me, half into the oncoming lane, forcing me back into the right lane (where I can't really see what is coming). Naturally, he was on the phone. Banning cell phones while driving wouldn't work here, though, since people ignore any regulations that inconvenience themselves. Like signaling turns, stopping at signals, yielding to traffic, etc. A boy was killed this weekend while riding his bike, and the news reported that hit-and-run fatalities have a 10% solve rate, compared to 85% for murders.
I am still struggling with being a "good" teacher. I tend to talk instead of getting the kids involved with hands-on stuff. I don't have a great depth of manipulatives for them to mess around with, plus I don't have a huge level of trust that those things won't be pocketed, broken, thrown, etc. I spent a good deal of time looking for poker chips so I could make sets of positive and negative counters (concrete items for rather non-concrete concepts) to work on adding, subtracting negative integers, and forming zero pairs.
This lack of structure is, in theory, what is making my classes have a potential for disruption. In theory, again, students who aren't engaged will find other things to engage them. On the other hand, some kids won't let themselves be engaged, either because it is more fun to disrupt or because they can't sit still, can't recognize their own behavior. Argh.
Still haven't had that impending bicycle accident, but Memphis drivers are sure giving me a run for my money. Today I checked behind me, let a car pass me and signaled to move into the left lane (which is essentially the double yellow line, as I was going to turn left onto my street) because the next car coming up was in my current far right lane. As I get into my left lane, here is the car, who switched lanes without signaling, and won't respect my position. He cuts past me, half into the oncoming lane, forcing me back into the right lane (where I can't really see what is coming). Naturally, he was on the phone. Banning cell phones while driving wouldn't work here, though, since people ignore any regulations that inconvenience themselves. Like signaling turns, stopping at signals, yielding to traffic, etc. A boy was killed this weekend while riding his bike, and the news reported that hit-and-run fatalities have a 10% solve rate, compared to 85% for murders.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Apathy
Still working my way up the slippery slope of last week. Depression often includes apathy, and I just haven't had the will to get back into a routine. Yesterday I even skipped bicycling to work - I just didn't feel like it. Writing here has fallen by the wayside, too.
Monday we had parent/teacher conferences in lieu of teaching. 4pm to 7pm, every 10 minutes. Naturally we had parents scheduled who didn't show up, and others who didn't have appointments who demanded our time. Quite a few revelations (one boy had been treated at St. Jude and will soon require his jaw to be replaced, another is about to begin treatment for skin cancer) and a few meetings that were depressing in their dysfunctional ways. The mother of one boy from last year repeated the same routine I had seen five times before. Excuses as to why her (obviously hyperactive) son hasn't been seen by a professional (I can't manage the co-pay - although later she mentions buying her son yet another pair of overpriced sneakers) despite his pediatrician referring her to a free service, then talking about how his hyperactivity is due to his diet and how she is trying to cut out sugary foods, followed by tears, followed by a few disjointed repetitions of early statements, sometimes contradicting. Did I mention she didn't have an appointment? And took up 30 minutes?
Meanwhile I feel like a bad teacher. I am not putting in the time I should in preparing engaging lessons that reach all learners. If that sounds like the jargon from an evaluation, you are probably right. But I know I am not doing enough, lately just enough to get by. And it wears on me.
Highlight of the week so far was youngest's volleyball game. They haven't won all season, but have come close. Last night they won their match...not just one game, but two out of three. All the parents were proud, but it was so exciting to see the girls' reactions.
Monday we had parent/teacher conferences in lieu of teaching. 4pm to 7pm, every 10 minutes. Naturally we had parents scheduled who didn't show up, and others who didn't have appointments who demanded our time. Quite a few revelations (one boy had been treated at St. Jude and will soon require his jaw to be replaced, another is about to begin treatment for skin cancer) and a few meetings that were depressing in their dysfunctional ways. The mother of one boy from last year repeated the same routine I had seen five times before. Excuses as to why her (obviously hyperactive) son hasn't been seen by a professional (I can't manage the co-pay - although later she mentions buying her son yet another pair of overpriced sneakers) despite his pediatrician referring her to a free service, then talking about how his hyperactivity is due to his diet and how she is trying to cut out sugary foods, followed by tears, followed by a few disjointed repetitions of early statements, sometimes contradicting. Did I mention she didn't have an appointment? And took up 30 minutes?
Meanwhile I feel like a bad teacher. I am not putting in the time I should in preparing engaging lessons that reach all learners. If that sounds like the jargon from an evaluation, you are probably right. But I know I am not doing enough, lately just enough to get by. And it wears on me.
Highlight of the week so far was youngest's volleyball game. They haven't won all season, but have come close. Last night they won their match...not just one game, but two out of three. All the parents were proud, but it was so exciting to see the girls' reactions.
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