Driving down the highway of life..sometimes there are curves, sometimes its a straightaway. Most times I am thinking...where's the exit?!?

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Watch out, exploding head nearby!

Well, today was the first day of the new term. As mentioned yesterday, I had many of those conversations with "random student." The question, "Can I have a syllabus?" was met with, "You need Tim's signature." That's my principal, who I know is going to say no. Bummer for them...no work for me!

I think my next job may be as a therapist, specializing in Educational Therapy. That's a nice way of saying "Therapy for Teachers." Teachers are a unique bunch. Most people on the outside think that being a teacher is a piece of cake. I mean, after all, pardon my sarcasm, teachers only work 9.5 months a year, only work from 8 to 4 (adjust hours accordingly depending on your grade level), and make a good living. I guess on the outside this is true, but let me give you some deeper facts. (Cue the choir singing the allelujia chorus). Teachers must have a minimum of a Master's Degree to teach now (or a 5th year degree), get a pay increase of a whopping $500 when they get their doctorate (wow! That almost pays for one class toward the doctorate), take hours of work home every night (I usually have at least 2 - 3 hours), take classes during the summer (I am gone for three weeks) in order to keep "up" on new curriculum, and, now with NCLB (No child left behind), schools are having a more difficult time getting teachers who are "highly qualified" to teach classes (I have my Master's Degree in Education, have been teaching math for 14 years, have my math endorsement, am working on my Master's in Math, and have been told that I cannot continue to teach the classes I teach if I don't take two more tests that will say I am more "highly qualified" that I guess I am now...) Who are we kidding here?

I don't want to complain. I love my job, but there are many times that I feel ineffective. I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle. Students are satisfied with being apathetic, ( I like to call is the drive toward mediocrity) some of this is environmental, some of it just because the fear of success is far too frightening.

What is my place in this whole equation? That is what I wonder each and every day. I talk to my friends and they feel the same. What is my place? It's enough to make your head explode! That's what is happening. When you hear that pop, it's a head exploding...

My job, to teach the youth of America, form young minds...how do I do that when the answer I get is "I'll do it next quarter." Apathy...I think I need educational therapy. My head is exploding.

Answers anyone?

Monday, January 29, 2007

Teacher extraordinare?

So, here I am at 11:05 pm the night before the new semester. What am I doing? (Duh...typing my blog...this is important!) So, do I really think that I am going to make a difference? Why should I care?

Okay, that may sound like I have thrown in my $2.00 towel that was given to me in some white elephant exchange at a christmas party, but I really haven't. I am looking within myself, trying to find out what is my purpose?

Long ago, I decided that I wanted to make a difference. First I started out teaching Special Education in a fairly wealthy school district in the Seattle area. I liked my job, but was not in a place personally that allowed me to find my place within that establishment.

Life then took me to California where I taught in a middle school near the projects. I had students that could see the ocean, but had never been there. Their perspective on the future was to grow up and raise their family in the projects. Many generations lived in the same place, with similar goals.

Now I teach in a high school that also has a large poverty issue. Sometimes, I find that my frustration level runs high. As one who also came from the "wrong side of the tracks" but always had a goal for the future, it is difficult to grasp not having any sense of a goal. many of my students don't try in my class, saying that they can make it up "next quarter."

This is a prime example of one of many exchanges between myself and my students...

Me: Okay, let me lay this out for you. You need three credits of math to graduate, that's three whole years of math. You are a (insert sophomore, junior, senior) and you currently have no math credits (okay, maybe they have a half). What is your plan?

Random Student: I am going to make it up next semester.

Me: Okay, then you will have the same amount of credit as now, but less time to do it. How is that going to work for you?

Random student: Can't you give me a syllabus?

Me (in my head): Suuurrree. I mean, hello, you haven't done a stich of work in my class, have mostly been a seat warmer, probably don't own a pencil (since you borrow everyday), binder (never seen one), or have any of the previous handouts, I am sure that you will be successful doing an entire year of math on your own time!

Me (out loud): I really want you to be successful and don't feel that is the best path for you!

Okay, I just did my grades, and I think approximately 55% of my classes did NOT pass. Yeah for me! Boy that makes me just feel like I am the most stellar teacher possible!

Yep..give me an award. I think I am sure to get teacher of the year...better that that name me, Shannon: Teacher extraordinare!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Friends, Food, and Books

Tonight some members of my book club got together to talk about a fabulous book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. It is a fascinating book about two women and the intertwining of their lives. It addresses footbinding, the significance, and how women were placed in society. I highly recommend it!

We ate and talked. Unfortunately, we also began talking about work and then off we went! Ahhh well!

So, I am still looking as if I have been hit in the mouth with a bat. I cannot wait until Thurday to get this tooth pulled. I can't believe that I am going to be taking medication until then! Argh!

Oh well! Next book, The Mermaid Chair! Any comments???

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Dinner, wine, and a nap

Well, the life of pain medication really is an interesting one. This morning I got up relatively early for me, did a few things, then went back to bed for a three hour nap. I can't believe how tired I am! I realize that it's the combination of medication and infection, a real one two punch!

David and I had been invited to go to a friends birthday party this afternoon. I peeled myself out of bed at 12:30, pulled some clothes on, and off we went. Since I have hardly eaten anything, you can imagine how a glass of wine impacted my pain level...yes, I as feeling no pain! Ahhh! Six hours pain free. It was great!

Coming home from dinner and it was time to take another nap. So, back to bed for another four hour nap. I'm beginning to feel like all I do is nap...

Up at 10 pm, feed Javad, write a quick blog, and I'll go back to bed soon! Does life get better?

Shannon

Friday, January 26, 2007

The dentist and other fun things

So this has been the week! Last saturday while watching the Portland Lumberjax Lacrosse team, I "stole" some cotton candy from Jacob (simon's best friend), took a bite, and a piece of one of my teeth broke off! Who knew that eating air could have such repercussions?

So I called to make a dental appointment, which surely meant that the second coming must be near. I hate the dentist...Well, let me rephrase, I like my dentist, I just have a severe phobia involving dentists! So, anyway, I made the appointment to get my tooth fixed for next Monday.

On Wednesday, I called because I was in pain and they squeezed me into their afternoon schedule. (Must I remind you that I have already taken two days off in the past few weeks due to snow and ice.) Imagine my suprise and delight (sarcasm here) when they told me that I had an abcess totally unrelated to the tooth chipping and would need to go to an Endodontist.

So, Thursday, I traipse off to the Endodontist, only to have him tell me that I needed to get it pulled and sent me to an Oral Surgeon. (another afternoon off work, thank you!)Thank you very much! Pass Go and pay your $200, please!

Today, I went to the oral surgeon, who ironically is Dr. Nichols, but, obviously, not Javad's pulmonologist Dr. Nichols! So we chatted for a few, then he put novacaine in, then we waited more. Finally came the time to check...I said I still had some feeling. More novacaine (now I am starting to have a bit of a panc attack!) and more waiting. So after six shots of novacaine, it is decided that the tooth cannot be pulled today because I STILL have sensitivy. Now, maybe if I was the size of a supermodel, I would be unconscious on the floor from the amount of numbing medicine had been imparted into my gums, but alas, I am not a supermodel thus I must need enough medication to tranquilize an elephant. Unfortunately this is not available and probably safe! So here I am, still with tooth, taking pain medication that should last four hours, every three hours (see above mentioned model comment), taking antibiotics and applying cold packs! Yes, I get to do this for another fun filled six days. Who knew the dentist could be so much fun!

Oh, and if the dentist just isn't fun enough, last night we had our first National Honor Society Induction Ceremony at my school (which really was great!) and I had to speak with my jaw swollen and looking like someone who had been punched in the face. Yee-Haw!

Shannon