It was freezing today. For once, it actually felt good to step into the school. I burned up my whole planning time talking to the Professional Specialist. (It takes so much time just to stay eligible to teach.) Then, we lost electricity. It was only out for a few minutes but all the kids were screaming in the halls (any excuse to act up).
There’s only one more day until Winter break. I kept reminding myself, "this is the last time I’ll see them for two weeks—be patient." They can be really obnoxious. Allison was chewing gum. I made her spit it out. The next time I saw her she had stuffed more gum into her mouth. I made her spit it out again and she put more gum in. I made her pick up all her gum wrappers (which she had thrown on the floor), remove the gum wrapper that she’d stuck to her forehead, and spit the gum out. She showed up for reading class with a fresh stick.
All of the teachers got a holiday loaf of bread from Chad except for me. It makes me wonder. I’m not really concerned about whether he likes me or not (I don’t need any 13-year-old friends) but it scares me because of who his mother is. I’m not really sure what to think about that.
Loco picked up a ten-day suspension for gang graffiti. He has a history. Some of the kids are saying that he’s expelled. I hope not. I like Loco. He’s a funny guy and he’s smart even though he tries to hide it. I’m going to have to have a little talk with him.
Monday, December 20
Wednesday, December 15
The Fog of War; Monday, December 11 – Friday, December 15
The week passed in a blur—-the fog of war. Monday, I had my last final. We all arrived in class expecting to turn papers in and go home. There was a schedule on the board. It outlined every single minutes of class and it was full. I don’t remember much else. Sleep deprivation, I guess.
My class was observed on Wednesday. By that point, I really couldn’t care less. We had the honor roll party in my room right before class. Most of the students happened to have me next. They were WIRED. High on sugar and strung out on caffeine, they were shouting to people right next to them, totally unaware that there was another adult in the room. I can’t wait to find out what she put on my evaluation. I’ll get it back on Monday when I have to meet with her again.
The anticipation of winter break has the kids acting crazy. Koko was suspended. LJ decided that he doesn’t have to do anything teachers tell him to do and got suspended. DaSean got sent out of four of his five classes in a single day and was suspended for the rest of the week. Malcolm spent today in In-School Suspension. It’s excitement over the holidays combined with anxiety. Many of our kids do not do well at home. As a student, I couldn’t wait for the next holiday but many of our students rely on our school for someone to care about them (get on their case), something to do (go to school and get in trouble), and somewhere to eat (complain about the food). Holiday time makes the kids anxious.
William got jumped after school yesterday. He was out with his boys this morning looking for revenge. I saw them headed away from the school and let the administration know.
My class was observed on Wednesday. By that point, I really couldn’t care less. We had the honor roll party in my room right before class. Most of the students happened to have me next. They were WIRED. High on sugar and strung out on caffeine, they were shouting to people right next to them, totally unaware that there was another adult in the room. I can’t wait to find out what she put on my evaluation. I’ll get it back on Monday when I have to meet with her again.
The anticipation of winter break has the kids acting crazy. Koko was suspended. LJ decided that he doesn’t have to do anything teachers tell him to do and got suspended. DaSean got sent out of four of his five classes in a single day and was suspended for the rest of the week. Malcolm spent today in In-School Suspension. It’s excitement over the holidays combined with anxiety. Many of our kids do not do well at home. As a student, I couldn’t wait for the next holiday but many of our students rely on our school for someone to care about them (get on their case), something to do (go to school and get in trouble), and somewhere to eat (complain about the food). Holiday time makes the kids anxious.
William got jumped after school yesterday. He was out with his boys this morning looking for revenge. I saw them headed away from the school and let the administration know.
Friday, December 10
She Said, She Said
We had a war council this morning. There was a meeting of all seventh grade teachers when school started. Then, they called all of the seventh grade girls out of class to talk to them. I guess most of the fighting is over “she said, she said” stuff. Brenda’s fight yesterday started because she got in trouble with one of the P.E. teachers. Brenda thought that someone told on her.
“Did you snitch on me?” she asked another student.
“No," the student replied, "and even if I did you wouldn’t do nothing about it.”
I guess she found out otherwise.
Well, we made it through the day without any more fights. There was still plenty of trouble but no more fights.
I played indoor soccer with the kids after school. My team is not very good. Nobody wants to pass the ball. On my way out of the school, I walked by the office. It was full of cops. They had a couple of students in there. Another fight?
“Did you snitch on me?” she asked another student.
“No," the student replied, "and even if I did you wouldn’t do nothing about it.”
I guess she found out otherwise.
Well, we made it through the day without any more fights. There was still plenty of trouble but no more fights.
I played indoor soccer with the kids after school. My team is not very good. Nobody wants to pass the ball. On my way out of the school, I walked by the office. It was full of cops. They had a couple of students in there. Another fight?
Thursday, December 9
Today Violence Won
Today violence won. This has been a relatively peaceful year. Last year, we had a stretch of third quarter when it seemed like there were fights every day. Today, I felt like I was back in that stretch of last year.
In my first class, I caught Brenda with gang writing on her textbook. I handed it over to the principal. There was a fight at lunchtime and all the students came back to class crazy. It’s impossible to get them to focus after a fight.
The halls were clearing after the next class when I noticed a crowd at the opposite end of the hallway. I ran down. Mr. Burns was yelling at students to go back to class. Nobody was. I forced my way through the crowd and past a teacher who was trying to hold everyone back. Two girls were being held apart. One of them was Brenda. I walked her down to the office.
Once again, the kids were crazy during class. Fifteen minutes before the end of the day, LJ wandered into my classroom from wherever he was supposed to be. He was wearing a hat. I didn't notice but the hat had a gang insignia on it.
“What do your hat say?” asked Malcolm.
“[Name of Gang],” responded LJ.
“Take it off, fool,” said Malcolm.
“Give me the hat,” I said.
LJ took off running down the hallway. I followed him outside, demanding the hat. I finally lured him back by asking for his pass (which was totally invalid) and snatched the hat from him. He came back and demanded it after school. When I wouldn’t give it to him, he called me a “bucket head”.
I went to take the hat to the principal and found out about another fight. Jenny and Cardoza started fighting after school. Jenny was in the office crying. Cardoza had the usual mean look on her face. It will be nice to be rid of her. I guess Malcolm is out, too. Apparently, he was sexually harassing Latisha (another rival gang member) in class. I hope we can just survive until winter break.
In my first class, I caught Brenda with gang writing on her textbook. I handed it over to the principal. There was a fight at lunchtime and all the students came back to class crazy. It’s impossible to get them to focus after a fight.
The halls were clearing after the next class when I noticed a crowd at the opposite end of the hallway. I ran down. Mr. Burns was yelling at students to go back to class. Nobody was. I forced my way through the crowd and past a teacher who was trying to hold everyone back. Two girls were being held apart. One of them was Brenda. I walked her down to the office.
Once again, the kids were crazy during class. Fifteen minutes before the end of the day, LJ wandered into my classroom from wherever he was supposed to be. He was wearing a hat. I didn't notice but the hat had a gang insignia on it.
“What do your hat say?” asked Malcolm.
“[Name of Gang],” responded LJ.
“Take it off, fool,” said Malcolm.
“Give me the hat,” I said.
LJ took off running down the hallway. I followed him outside, demanding the hat. I finally lured him back by asking for his pass (which was totally invalid) and snatched the hat from him. He came back and demanded it after school. When I wouldn’t give it to him, he called me a “bucket head”.
I went to take the hat to the principal and found out about another fight. Jenny and Cardoza started fighting after school. Jenny was in the office crying. Cardoza had the usual mean look on her face. It will be nice to be rid of her. I guess Malcolm is out, too. Apparently, he was sexually harassing Latisha (another rival gang member) in class. I hope we can just survive until winter break.
Wednesday, December 8
No Blood Stains
I took yesterday off. I had to work on a paper and a final that were due last night. I spent the whole day writing. Now, it feels good to be done—with one class, anyways. My other class ends on Monday.
It did not, however, feel good to be back today. The kids seem to be getting crazier and crazier. Allison was finally back from her big suspension. I didn’t miss her. Everyone’s just looking forward to the winter break.
The substitute seems to have done a good job while I was out. The room was still in one piece. Nothing was missing. No blood stains.
I managed to postpone my observation for a week. It was supposed to be today. It’s a good thing I got it changed because I wasn’t feeling like it and the kids weren’t either. The only problem is they’ll be even crazier next week.
It did not, however, feel good to be back today. The kids seem to be getting crazier and crazier. Allison was finally back from her big suspension. I didn’t miss her. Everyone’s just looking forward to the winter break.
The substitute seems to have done a good job while I was out. The room was still in one piece. Nothing was missing. No blood stains.
I managed to postpone my observation for a week. It was supposed to be today. It’s a good thing I got it changed because I wasn’t feeling like it and the kids weren’t either. The only problem is they’ll be even crazier next week.
Monday, December 6
Another Teacher Statistic
Ms. Lynn is leaving. The kids don’t know yet. She’s going back to Delaware. She won’t come back after Winter Break. I wonder what it’s all about. I know she was having a tough time. I wonder who will replace her.
Thursday, December 2
Extra Curricular Activities
I stayed late today to prepare sub plans so that I can take tomorrow off. I have a big paper that I need to write. I can’t wait for this semester to be over. I have class on Monday and Tuesday nights. I have club meetings after school on Wednesday. Mr. Latin and I have been organizing a student after-school soccer program that I’ll be playing with on Fridays.
Today, I wanted to give some insight on the school courtyards and now it looks like I’ve been drafted onto a committee to do the whole thing. I guess I was the only one who responded. It really is a shame. There’s so much that we could do as a school but everyone is so tired by the end of the school day that they just want to leave. Clubs are really good. You can interact with the students in such a different (and positive) way. It’s nice.
Well, they’re wanting to renovate the school’s courtyards. It needs to happen. My classroom looks out into one of the courtyards and it’s a dismal sight. They want to have student gardens. I suggested a schoolyard habitat. I have a bird feeder on my window and that’s been good. I’d like to add some bushes, trees, and a pond. If not a pond then at least a birdbath. The habitat could add a lot to our life science curriculum. We’ll see what happens.
Today, I wanted to give some insight on the school courtyards and now it looks like I’ve been drafted onto a committee to do the whole thing. I guess I was the only one who responded. It really is a shame. There’s so much that we could do as a school but everyone is so tired by the end of the school day that they just want to leave. Clubs are really good. You can interact with the students in such a different (and positive) way. It’s nice.
Well, they’re wanting to renovate the school’s courtyards. It needs to happen. My classroom looks out into one of the courtyards and it’s a dismal sight. They want to have student gardens. I suggested a schoolyard habitat. I have a bird feeder on my window and that’s been good. I’d like to add some bushes, trees, and a pond. If not a pond then at least a birdbath. The habitat could add a lot to our life science curriculum. We’ll see what happens.
Wednesday, December 1
Maintain a Low Profile
It’s that time in the semester when everything is due. My night classes are killing me. Right now, I’m thinking, “It’s only Wednesday?” I think I’ll take Friday off. It’s a lot of work to take a day off but I need it. I have a twelve page paper due on Tuesday and I’ve barely started it. I won’t be able to get much done over the weekend because my weekends are even more busy than my workweek.
LJ was back in class today. I guess it was just a preliminary trial. He said he has to go back on January third. They should have just locked him up. He was crazy today.
We got some more news on Shauna. Mr. Burns just found out that she gave him a forged pass. She was late to his reading class and forged Ms. Lamb’s name on the pass. It’s another strike against her. We’ll see what happens next.
Ms. Helm has a parent who won’t leave her alone. It’s constant phone calls and emails. There doesn’t seem to be anything Ms. Helm can do to appease the woman. I pity her. I had a crazy parent who hounded me two years ago. It can add some gray hairs. I feel bad for Ms. Helm but also fortunate that she’s getting hounded, not me. I’m just trying to maintain a low profile and not attract too much attention.
LJ was back in class today. I guess it was just a preliminary trial. He said he has to go back on January third. They should have just locked him up. He was crazy today.
We got some more news on Shauna. Mr. Burns just found out that she gave him a forged pass. She was late to his reading class and forged Ms. Lamb’s name on the pass. It’s another strike against her. We’ll see what happens next.
Ms. Helm has a parent who won’t leave her alone. It’s constant phone calls and emails. There doesn’t seem to be anything Ms. Helm can do to appease the woman. I pity her. I had a crazy parent who hounded me two years ago. It can add some gray hairs. I feel bad for Ms. Helm but also fortunate that she’s getting hounded, not me. I’m just trying to maintain a low profile and not attract too much attention.
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