I'm baaaaccccckkkk!

So after many moons, I am finally back. I don't have new years resolutions...just a plan.

I am choosing my life this year. Now, don't get me wrong...it's not some fatalistic wow, my life sucked last year (or the year before) kind of thing, but rather an enlightening moment that I had. Okay, be prepared for what may sound like a really dumb thought, but I really realized that this is it...my only life. I talk about the things that I think would be great or fun to do, but then life happens and then the time has passed. I can't get it back, that time I've wasted, but I can choose something different this year.

I love my job. Teaching middle school has both aggravated me and invigorated me. I look at the kids and shake my head in wonder. What makes them think? Do they think?

This year has been crazy...I am teaching math, teaching Lee Academy (and after school program), and taking classes toward my Masters in Teaching Math. This term I am taking 6 graduate credits. I may decide that I am crazy! Time will tell!

All is going well at this end of the world. Adam did well in his first quarter at Southern Oregon, Stesha did great at PCC, Simon is loving high school, and Javad is doing well in Kindergarten.

I will be writing more about Javad o his blog...check it out for more information!

Live, love, choose!

Shanno

What have I created?

I think I have created a monster.

For those of you who may not know, I teach high school math. Okay, I realize that I may have mentioned that once or twice already, but maybe you're new, maybe you don't pay attention, maybe you have been sleeping while reading my blog. I realize that for youthis may not be the most important thing for you to read every day, but clearly, it is the highlight of my day...

Okay, I digress..

Anyway, that's right, I was talking about the monster I have created.

So, we just finished a quarter a week or so ago and, as I was giving out about a thousand (slight exaggeration) "N's" (which is our district's cheezy way of inflating grades by not giving F's. "N" is nicer, you know, No pass!) So back to the monster...as I was giving my thousand N's and, of course, feeling like I am the best math teacher ever! (sarcasm dripping!)I was contemplating how, pray tell, I was going to save face and get these little urchins passing my class without just giving them passing grades(clearly their solution!).

So, I came up with this great plan. First, I would devise a math log which would allow me to give them participation points, give them daily assignments, give them a weekly skill packet, and a warm-up that we correct each day. (This is for two of my classes only.) So I started the new project last week, but of course I was out with the big yank for part of the week and I came back this week to find...A STACK OF WORK ON MY DESK TO BE GRADED! Holy Cow Batman! Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Maybe this is going to work!

Okay, so I will have a stack of work to grade every night, but I may (not only)possibly have a bunch of kids passing this quarter, but also (and even more importantly) have kids that actually are understanding math (shocking, I know!)

I realize that it's only the second week, so maybe I shouldn't get too excited, but don't burst my bubble. I am thinking that I am back in the running for TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Let the grading begin!

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?

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!