what do you mean?

Students ask if they can say *insert word"

"sure I say its all a matter of context"

Mary rode an ass to Bethlehem.
Be sure to cock the valve on the buret.
Do not prick your finger with the salpel.

union?

I live in a right to work state.  Since I teach in small schools, and have one on one contact with people in charge and see no reason for needing a voice.

It has been years since I have even been approached to join the union.  The last time was a general meeting which started as its key benefit they will pay for a lawyer if I get sued.  Somehow that does not seem  like a selling point.  That and the fact that they want over a hundred dollars a month.  No I do not think so.  I do not believe in my case that I will get benefits close to my cost.

oh geez

I'm getting ready for my third day of cleaning the class.  Hopefully this is the last day of tossing stuff and I can organize.  I open a desk drawer and it is full black worksheets.  I do not mean has some I mean packed full.  Discarded library books older than I am, they have a stamp "discard".  Two toasters, coffee pot and a microwave.  There are chemicals left over from a lab in beakers.  Finally figured out what one is (found a copy of the lab, it may have been the only lab he did), so I can go through the disposal of it.

I have a promethean board but it looks like it was hooked up to a laptop that I cannot find.  Maybe I can get one from my husband to test it out.  The projector works, just no computer.  The computer in the office is not hooked up to the electronic stuff since it is...in the class' office.

The fact that there is a large TV with vcr tape gives me a clue what person was doing.

Once again, into the breach

I have managed to change jobs and get hired by another school.  As it is a bigger school and closer to my home it is a step up.  Once again I am stepping into the footsteps of somebody who did not do anything.  The lab is not a complete mess, some previous person organized the chemicals and other stuff.  Then it just sat there.  What is it with teachers to make us pack rats?  There are books there older than me?
The principal has given me carte blanche to do what I need to do. 

trying to embrass technology

I filmed students prepping a lab to show their buddies how to do it.  Also since it involves flame, I promised to bounce out of the class anybody not following protocol. 

Its 2 months out of 13 years

I had to tell a student today that since he failed my math class he would not graduate.  Which lead to a conference with the counselor and then principal.  I had carefully dotted my i s and crossed my t's  so all my paperwork was together, he just did not do the work.  Student cannot walk, but can graduate if he takes credit remediation this summer.  He would rather dropped.  I have never in my life wanted to slap a student so much.  Thirteen years of his life in education and he doesn't want to do 2 montth and pay the 75 dollars it takes.  Principal decided to try credit remediation until graduation which means he comes every day to ALE.  After student left, principal and I agreed.  His mother was going to light into him.

do your F**ing job and be a parent

One day, probably when I am near retiring, when I am on the phone with a parent; I will loose it. 
Parent, "I don't know what to do with him/her."
Me (in my imaginary scenario) "well I raised three children.  They have a some problems, but all are respectful, have college degrees and a modicum of success in the world. So let me offer you some suggestions."

"First, get rid of the cell phone."

Parent.,  "but she needs it."

"no she doesn't he needs love, food and sunshine, like all God's creatures.  Second, the reason she needs a cellphone is to talk to the boy friend she's banging."

Parent."Whaaa...?"

"yea, everybody in the school knows they are having sex, when did you figure out?  explain to boyfriend if you see him within 6 feet of your daughter they will never find the body.  I'll let you know, boyfriend is a waste of oxygen and I will not miss him.  Do you know he has one baby already?  Hope your girl is practicing safe sex.  Now are you taking notes...the next one is important.  Get rid of the car."

"but she needs it to go to school..."

"no she wants it to bang the boyfriend weren't you listening?  She can ride the bus or you can drive her.  It is hard to get into trouble if you cannot run off as you wish."

"next, sit with her while she does her homework, about 1 hour everynight.  My class especially.  There is work almost every night.  Do not watch the TV sit with the child.  Read a book, magazine or do the lesson with her.  Heck you might learn something.  I have some books I could suggest."

"I really don't like to read." objects momma.

"I gathered as much the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.  Which leads me to the next step.  Go the library every saturday.  Do not let her use the computer there to socialize...you do realize that you need to take the phone and computer our of her room?  Put them in the main room so you can monitor her."

Parent's blood pressure is up, "how dare you!"

"no, no how dare you have a child and not try to raise her."

It will never happen, but I can dream.