Yesterday I found out that my favorite student (the one whose mother sent that nasty email on Friday) had said that he couldn't talk to my partner teacher about the problems he was having with me because the partner teacher and I are getting MARRIED. For some reason, that final tidbit was enough to snap me out of the pity party I had been having for myself all damn weekend and I found some sympathy for the kid. He's crazy, and in the classic words of Ray Barone's dad, "You can't be mad at a crazy person." Regardless of what level of reality this poor child is living in, he believes I dislike him. So the partner teacher is going to handle him, and I am going to work to make my few interactions with him very positive. Then I am going to ignore his mother and let the principal handle her.
I do feel like I have made a huge mistake doing special ed. It did not occur to me when I signed on for it that working with resource kids would mean dealing with crazy people. It totally makes sense... duh! And since I am not even making enough money to make ends meet, and I am going to have to find a weekend job, probably for minimum wage, I am thinking, what am I doing? I can look for a different line of work, where I make enough money, and don't have crazy people after me.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Dear Crazy Bitch,
Thank you for the drama you caused right before the weekend. Really, it just started things off on just the right note for me. I sort of wonder, though, how there can be so much drama when your kid hasn't even been to school this week?
Oh, that's right. I forgot. You had all week to bond with him and hear all the details about his regular school day, and how horribly he is treated in my class.
It's not like you shouldn't believe the little angel... after all, he's always been truthful before, right? Like the time he told you that I wouldn't "except" (your word) his homework because it was only half done, when in reality he tried to turn in the work we had done in class? He hadn't done a single problem of the homework side of the worksheet. You made some excuse for him, and for yourself, about being confused. I let it go. Then there was the time he told you the reason he was tardy for my class was because he was talking with another teacher. You reminded me ever so kindly that he has accomodations for that, being that he is practically a paraplegic, and he is allowed to spend all the time he needs getting clarification of directions. There was just that one little detail about him having LUNCH right before my class... oh, and the part where I asked that teacher whether she had been talking to your son after lunch, and she had no idea what I was talking about. That time, you apologized to me and grounded your son for lying to you. I guess it doesn't matter whether or not he lies to everyone else.
Regardless, I guess you have chosen to believe whatever he has been telling you all week, and I guess in your mind that justifies you sending an email to another member of the staff calling me a witch and telling him how sorry you are that he has to work with such a "wicked women" (again, your idiot spelling) all day.
That was really great. Then, that part where you called the principal and told her that I was giving your son an ulcer? Thanks for that. I so enjoy being held responsible for shit that isn't mine.
It's really very simple. I teach math. That's my job. I'm not your son's wet nurse. I'm not his counselor, or his self-esteem monitor, or his guidance counselor. I am not your whipping post. I have your son for less than one hour a weekday, during which time my job is to TEACH HIM MATH. That is all. I teach a lesson, we do some practice, I assign homework. He either participates in the lesson, or he doesn't. Not something I can control. He either hands in the homework, or he doesn't. Not something I can control.
I am doing my part. How about if you start doing yours? Better yet, maybe YOUR SON could try doing something for HIMSELF?
He'll never get the chance with you in his life. I actually think he might be better off if you were beating him, instead of wiping his ass. At least that way he would have to learn how to stick up for himself. As it is, you are teaching him to be just another stupid sucker who will never be able to take responsibility for his own actions. It's ok with me, really. One day you'll be telling the judge why she is a witch because she doesn't understand how HARD his life is with ADD, and how wicked she is for sending him to jail. You just can't treat a special ed kid like that, right?
By the way... he's only a special ed kid for a few more years. There is no such thing as a special ed adult.
Sincerely,
Wicked Witch of the School
Oh, that's right. I forgot. You had all week to bond with him and hear all the details about his regular school day, and how horribly he is treated in my class.
It's not like you shouldn't believe the little angel... after all, he's always been truthful before, right? Like the time he told you that I wouldn't "except" (your word) his homework because it was only half done, when in reality he tried to turn in the work we had done in class? He hadn't done a single problem of the homework side of the worksheet. You made some excuse for him, and for yourself, about being confused. I let it go. Then there was the time he told you the reason he was tardy for my class was because he was talking with another teacher. You reminded me ever so kindly that he has accomodations for that, being that he is practically a paraplegic, and he is allowed to spend all the time he needs getting clarification of directions. There was just that one little detail about him having LUNCH right before my class... oh, and the part where I asked that teacher whether she had been talking to your son after lunch, and she had no idea what I was talking about. That time, you apologized to me and grounded your son for lying to you. I guess it doesn't matter whether or not he lies to everyone else.
Regardless, I guess you have chosen to believe whatever he has been telling you all week, and I guess in your mind that justifies you sending an email to another member of the staff calling me a witch and telling him how sorry you are that he has to work with such a "wicked women" (again, your idiot spelling) all day.
That was really great. Then, that part where you called the principal and told her that I was giving your son an ulcer? Thanks for that. I so enjoy being held responsible for shit that isn't mine.
It's really very simple. I teach math. That's my job. I'm not your son's wet nurse. I'm not his counselor, or his self-esteem monitor, or his guidance counselor. I am not your whipping post. I have your son for less than one hour a weekday, during which time my job is to TEACH HIM MATH. That is all. I teach a lesson, we do some practice, I assign homework. He either participates in the lesson, or he doesn't. Not something I can control. He either hands in the homework, or he doesn't. Not something I can control.
I am doing my part. How about if you start doing yours? Better yet, maybe YOUR SON could try doing something for HIMSELF?
He'll never get the chance with you in his life. I actually think he might be better off if you were beating him, instead of wiping his ass. At least that way he would have to learn how to stick up for himself. As it is, you are teaching him to be just another stupid sucker who will never be able to take responsibility for his own actions. It's ok with me, really. One day you'll be telling the judge why she is a witch because she doesn't understand how HARD his life is with ADD, and how wicked she is for sending him to jail. You just can't treat a special ed kid like that, right?
By the way... he's only a special ed kid for a few more years. There is no such thing as a special ed adult.
Sincerely,
Wicked Witch of the School
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I need to learn when to HANG UP.
I answered a guy's personal ad, sent him an email and when he responded we exchanged pictures. We emailed back and forth for a few days and then I gave him my number. He is my age, good looking, one kid, never been married. He has a job and a car, a degree, etc... he met all of the basic criteria. So we talked.
Fist, he could not stop talking abou the size of my breasts. He probably brought it up five times in ten minutes and actually asked me what my cup size was.
Then, (why in the hell was I still on the phone?? I really don't know!) he kept asking me all these weird questions about my personality. Would I say I tend to take charge, or let other people make the decisions? Would I say my personality is more dominant, or submissive?
(HellOOOOO Melissa, pick up the clue phone!)
While I was trying to figure out a way of get off the phone without being rude (I really need to get over that) he says to me, hesitantly, "It's just that I am looking for someone... for someone.... for.... someone to dominate me."
(verrrrrry pregnant pause)
Me: (stifling a laugh) Oh!... I see.
Him: What? You see what? What does that mean?
Me: Yeah, I gotta go...
Him: Can I call you tomorrow?
Me: No.
Him: Is that an order?
Me: ??????????????
Me: click
Fist, he could not stop talking abou the size of my breasts. He probably brought it up five times in ten minutes and actually asked me what my cup size was.
Then, (why in the hell was I still on the phone?? I really don't know!) he kept asking me all these weird questions about my personality. Would I say I tend to take charge, or let other people make the decisions? Would I say my personality is more dominant, or submissive?
(HellOOOOO Melissa, pick up the clue phone!)
While I was trying to figure out a way of get off the phone without being rude (I really need to get over that) he says to me, hesitantly, "It's just that I am looking for someone... for someone.... for.... someone to dominate me."
(verrrrrry pregnant pause)
Me: (stifling a laugh) Oh!... I see.
Him: What? You see what? What does that mean?
Me: Yeah, I gotta go...
Him: Can I call you tomorrow?
Me: No.
Him: Is that an order?
Me: ??????????????
Me: click
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Windy City
I've been talking to a guy from Chicago who is planning on moving to my city next summer. We emailed back and forth for a few weeks, and then he asked if he could call me. He seems to have his act together, and he's really sweet. Like most of the men I have met, he spends way too much time talking about his ex. (What's the deal with that?) Other than that, he's my kind of guy. He thinks about things just for the sake of thinking. He forms opinions based on evidence instead of emotion. He can talk about politics without getting hot under the collar. He kinda has a funny name though.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The point is, I did it
Yesterday I wore pantyhose to work. I overlooked the small detail of putting underpants into my gym bag, so I worked out commando-style. All was well until the leg press machine. And that's all I have to say about that.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Maybe I'll just waitress...
Things I am expected to do every day:
Write learning objectives on the board (4 different ones because I teach 4 levels)
Write essential questions on the board (4 different sets)
Update my website detailing homework for the day (4 different assignments)
Bus duty after school
Things I am expected to do every week:
Enter two grades per class
Do lesson plans for the following week
Playground duty Tuesday mornings
Math meeting every Wednesday during my plan
Other things I was told last week:
- No sitting down during teaching. Apparently I am not qualified to decide that my students are ready to practice on their own.
- No trying to get other work done while sitting at a meeting that has nothing to do with anything concerning me. I have to listen even if it is totally irrelevant.
Last week I had meetings after school 4 out of 5 days. Next week I have meetings after school 5 out of 5 days. My planning period was taken away two out of five days. Already for next week my planning period has been taken away two out of five days. I have about 100 students all together, so I am supposed to grade at least 200 papers a week and enter the grades in the computer. When is this supposed to happen? I can't do it during the day while the students are working, and I can't do it after school during the stupid meetings. Is there some magic grading fairy that I need to get in touch with? Because I have a quite tall stack of papers sitting next to my coffee right now, and I have to say I resent it.
I should just quit and get a job waitressing at CoCo's. At least they get tips when they're nice.
Write learning objectives on the board (4 different ones because I teach 4 levels)
Write essential questions on the board (4 different sets)
Update my website detailing homework for the day (4 different assignments)
Bus duty after school
Things I am expected to do every week:
Enter two grades per class
Do lesson plans for the following week
Playground duty Tuesday mornings
Math meeting every Wednesday during my plan
Other things I was told last week:
- No sitting down during teaching. Apparently I am not qualified to decide that my students are ready to practice on their own.
- No trying to get other work done while sitting at a meeting that has nothing to do with anything concerning me. I have to listen even if it is totally irrelevant.
Last week I had meetings after school 4 out of 5 days. Next week I have meetings after school 5 out of 5 days. My planning period was taken away two out of five days. Already for next week my planning period has been taken away two out of five days. I have about 100 students all together, so I am supposed to grade at least 200 papers a week and enter the grades in the computer. When is this supposed to happen? I can't do it during the day while the students are working, and I can't do it after school during the stupid meetings. Is there some magic grading fairy that I need to get in touch with? Because I have a quite tall stack of papers sitting next to my coffee right now, and I have to say I resent it.
I should just quit and get a job waitressing at CoCo's. At least they get tips when they're nice.
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