Head Start Teacher is a Real Role Model

Update on Shauna—Mr. Burns said that the conference ended better after I left. Ms. Lamb, who has been teaching here for over thirty years, said that she taught Shauna’s mother but that she didn’t remember her being that bad. I went by the principal’s office to talk to them about the conference. The principal said that he had the referral. He agreed with me that the conference had been a complete waste of time. He said that both Shauna and her mother had yelled and cussed at him in his office. By the way, I was wrong. Shauna’s mother does not work for the after-school program. She works in our school for Head Start. That’s right. She works with preschoolers.
I next talked to the school police officer. I told her about the baiting that was going on between Malcolm, Shauna, and DaSean. She said that although Shauna is not part of the gang, she believed what I was saying about trying to incite Malcolm. We talked about “Crime Mob”. Even if it is the legitimate organization that Shauna’s mother claims it is (and it isn’t) then there were other things that Shauna wrote on the paper that tie her to gang activity. It’s pretty clear what Shauna was trying to say.
The professional specialist caught up to me today. She’s going to observe my class next week. I can’t wait.

'Crime Mob' is a Community Organization

Welcome back. I spent half of my planning time today trying to avoid the Professional Specialist. She wants to set up a time to observe my class. I want her to leave me alone. The other half of my planning time I spent with the reading specialist and Rodney. We tested him on his reading to see if we can help him with something. We’re not done yet but some things are already becoming apparent.
I caught Shauna writing gang names down today. She was doing it right in front of Malcolm who just got back from his gang-related suspension. I think she was trying to incite him to do something because she was writing the name of the rival gang. DaSean has been trying to set Malcolm off, too. I asked Shauna for the papers and she refused. I asked several more times and she crumpled them up and refused to let me see them. I finally got the papers from her and put her in the hallway, asking her to write an explanation of her behavior. When I got the explanation from her she had written, “Malcolm and Mr. Moore need to mind their own business.” I gave her a referral to the office.
After school, coincidentally, we’d scheduled a conference with Shauna's mother to talk about grades. I started telling her mother what had happened and she cut me off,
“You don’t know the street! You can’t change the street! ‘Crime Mob’ is a community organization! Your school PO’lice officer is supposed to be a resource officer! How come she don’t know that?”
We switched to the subject of grades. There was a bad feeling for the rest of the conference. Mom did not engage me much more verbally or visually. She glanced at me both suspiciously and aloof. Clearly, she believes that the teachers are the problem. I excused myself early to get to class but the whole thing is still bothering me.
The office secretary asked me for a referral form for Shauna. I guess the one I filled out never made it to the office. Shauna got ten days. She got five days for the gang writing and five more for being disrespectful to the principal. I wonder where she learned that from? I’m not sure but I think Shauna’s mother works at the school for an after-school program. I’ve long suspected that adult employees of the school are a connection to the gangs. I think some of the hall monitors and paraprofessionals are also involved.
Speaking of criminal activity, LJ dropped by briefly after school. He wanted to let me know that he won’t be in class tomorrow because he stole a bicycle. LJ always misses class and never mentions anything to me about it. I think he was trying to show off a little. It elevates the status of the kids when they get arrested or locked up. I took the time to tell him to talk to the judge respectfully.

A Bad Driver is OK Until He Meets Another Bad Driver

A bad driver is OK until he meets another bad driver. Isn’t that from Great Gatsby?
Today, one of my bad drivers, LJ, ran into another bad driver, Alice (the one who isn’t in my class but comes anyway). I’m not sure what happened. After lunch I was helping a student open her jammed locker. Suddenly, there were screams and pushing. I ran over and saw that two guys had LJ sandwiched against the wall. They were yelling at him and threatening him. I pulled him free. Everyone was crowding around and shouting. Guys were telling LJ not to hit a girl. Girls were encouraging him. It was absolute chaos. I got him out of the hallway and asked him what happened. Apparently, Alice hit LJ so he punched her back. I took him to the office. Half an hour later he was back in class.
I watched him after class in the hallway because I thought he might get jumped. Alice was back too. As LJ walked down the hall, Malcolm grabbed him. Malcolm put an arm around LJ's shoulder and had an intense conversation with him. From what I could overhear, Malcolm was telling LJ to never punch girls. Whatever he said, it probably had much more of an impact than whatever the principal said.
I’m disappointed that LJ and Alice weren’t immediately sent home from school. These things have a way of escalating. The kids were crazy afterward. Everyone was talking about what had happened. When LJ came back to class everyone wanted to talk about it again with him. We really need to have a zero tolerance for violence policy in our school because in a lot of ways the kids reward each other for fighting. LJ left school today with each arm around a different girl.

What a Difference One Student Can Make

This is the Thanksgiving holiday week. There are only two days of school this week. Only two days. Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. I can do this. It’s only one more day.
The kids were insane today. I battled all morning and through most of the afternoon. By the time my last class started I had zero patience left. One girl, Shauna, asked if she could get a drink of water before class started. I let her go and she disappeared. She showed up just as I had finally calmed everyone down. She came into the room yelling at her friends. I had to get everyone quieted down again. In the middle of my explanation of the warm-up activity, she suddenly walked to the front of the class and started writing on the board. I told her to sit down. When my back was turned she flinched at me. I don’t think she thought I would see her but she pulled back and pretended to hit me. I put her out, sending her to the time-out room. The whole class calmed down. It’s amazing what a difference one person can make. Two minutes later she was back, claiming that the time-out lady sent her back to get some work. I refused to let her in. Class was pleasant from then on.

Really, Really Tired of School

It’s been a long week. Today was a long day. We got out two hours early but it sure didn’t feel like it. I am really, really tired of school right now. When the final bell rang the teachers were racing the kids out of the building.
Malcolm, back from his ten-day suspension, settled into his usual role of class disruptor. I held him after class and we had a little talk. For once, he settled down and was serious and sober. I hope he can get things together. Karen came back today, too. She’s been gone for over a month. Her family went back to El Salvador for a visit. She’s a pretty conscientious student but I have to wonder, how can you take a month off from school?
I now end with a different class on Fridays than I used too. That's because of the holidays we had last week. It’s a nice change. The group that I used to finish the week with was my worst group. On Friday afternoons they would be CRAZY! Ms. Helm had them last today. I could hear the screaming coming from next door. She told me that she sent three of them to the time-out room. One of them walked out of time-out. Another one never made it down there. After next week I’ll start getting that group last on Fridays again. God help us all.

Parent Conferences

Conferences are done. What a relief! I managed to get out of the school by 7:30. All things considered, it wasn’t that bad. Rodent’s mom showed but not his dad. His mom was upset with him but not rude to us. She asked that we call if we have any more problems. I know who to talk to now.
Some of the parents were not very polite and some were just plain rude. One of our students had both her mother and father there even though they are divorced. We had this same family last year (with the older sister) and the father is quite obnoxious. It’s hard to be in a ten-minute conference with him. I can’t imagine how someone could be married to him long enough to conceive two kids! He’s very controlling. He showed up late and expected everyone to cater to him. During the conference, he cut people off and controlled the questioning. At one point, he complained that his daughter did not have any homework. I glanced at the other teachers (who I know give plenty of homework) and then realized what was going on. If I were his daughter, I wouldn’t want to do homework with him looking over my shoulder, either. I didn't mention my theory. That one conference spoiled the tone for the next several.
There were a couple of other problems but none too serious. Mostly, it was just parents trying to get more time than they had been scheduled. During one conference I looked out the window and noticed a police car with its lights flashing. The police had pulled a car over and had a bunch of guys sitting on the curb in front of the school. It was a strange feeling, parents talking to teachers inside the school and police arresting people outside the school.
Speaking of arrests, Malcolm was back in school today after his ten-day suspension. Apparently, the reason that he was locked up was because he was caught with drugs on the second day of his suspension. I really have to have a talk with that boy. There’s another student that I suspect is using drugs. One of the other teachers voiced the suspicion to his mother tonight. Mom didn’t think so. She wants him tested for learning disabilities. I don't think that's the test he needs.

More Drama

Conferences are tomorrow. I have to get a grade sheet printed out for all the students whose parents are coming in. I’ll have to show up early tomorrow to do it. I have to plan some lessons for tomorrow, too. With the short day I also have a shortened planning time. Usually, I have some idea of what I want to do but for tomorrow I have no idea. I’m definitely going to have to come in early.
I like Wednesdays. It’s the first day of the workweek that I don’t have night school. It’s nice to just go home and relax a little.
There’s a seventh grade student named Alice who’s been showing up in my class. She's not supposed to be there because she’s not my student (and I’m glad). Throughout the course of the year we’ve had a couple of run-ins because her locker is near my room and she’s always causing some drama. Yesterday, she decided to join my class. When I kicked her out it was a big scene. Today, she stopped by twice during the school day. Once on the way to the bathroom. Another time to borrow some tape. Both times were in the middle of my (and her) class time and I promptly sent her out. Why do I have to deal with this? Why? What did I do to deserve this?

Parent Conferences Coming Up

Parent conferences are Thursday. We’ll get a half-day with the students but then we’ll end up staying until eight at night with the parents. It’s going to be a long one. Fortunately, we get a half-day Friday, too. I saw a list of the parents who are scheduled to meet with us. Mostly, they’re the parents that we don’t need to talk to. What a surprise, the parents who are involved in their kids’ lives have pretty good kids. There are a few on the list, however, that we really need to talk to. Rodney’s parents are on the list. I’m honestly worried about that one. Maybe his dad will come in and threaten me again. Some of the other teachers have told me that Rodney passed their classes. I’m not sure how that’s possible. Can he be that much better for them than he is for me? Or are the teachers bumping his grade up to avoid problems? Am I going to be the one singled out at the parent conferences?

Second Quarter (Round Two)

Round Two got off to an explosive start today. We had two fights before the opening bell. I was at my post in the hallway as the kids were coming into the building. Suddenly, I noticed a group of students gathering around. That's a sure sign of a fight. I got there and saw Mr. Latin standing between two girls who are screaming at each other. Mr. Latin is pushing them apart and yelling at them to back away. Neither girl will. I grabbed one by the shoulder and pushed her back down the hallway. Mr. Latin took one to the office while I stayed with the other one.
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“Yesterday, I was talking to my friend on the phone and she grabbed the phone and started cussing at me.”
As Mr. Latin entered the office, the principals went running out. They were on their way upstairs to break up another fight. That one turned out to be two of my students, Kanika and Allison. It must have been serious because they got suspended for ten days apiece. When the fights start early in the morning then it’s usually a carry-over from something that happened before school. The gangs are the same way. They’ll feud on the street then it erupts in school because they’re all here together. This was the first day back from a four-day weekend. It was our first holiday of the school year. Everyone had plenty of time to get in trouble over the holiday so they were crazy today. I swear the crime rate must jump when we’re out of school.

First Quarter Ends

It's the end of first quarter! I stayed at the school until 7:30 to get done. I finally got all the grades and comments in. That should mean that I don’t have to work on Friday. Thursday is Veteran’s Day so I have that off. It was hard getting done. I tried to put at least one comment for each student but for a few average students I just didn’t have very much to say. Of course, you can never say what you really want to. “Your child is really obnoxious and it’s a result of bad parenting.”
I had about ten students fail. Rodney was one of them. He wasn’t even close. I know I’m going to be hearing from his parents but what can you do? I give all my students a participation grade. Most students get all ten of the points and that can bring them up a whole letter grade. Every time they cause so much trouble that they are sent out of the room I deduct one of the points. Rodney managed to whittle his way down to three points. He would have been lower but I’ve stopped sending him out because he seems to think it’s a reward. Rodney’s quarter average was around 30%. Most of that is for stupid stuff—earning zeros on quizzes and tests for talking, not following directions, tearing all the pages out of his notebook right before the notebook check etc. His parents have already asked for a conference. I’m not looking forward to it.

Just One More Day, Just One More Day

Just one more day, just one more day. I never wanted to be in a position where I was living for weekends and holidays but that’s where I am now. One more day before the holiday. Tomorrow’s the last day of the first quarter.
I forgot to mention it yesterday but Malcolm (who is suspended) stopped by in the middle of class.
“Hey, Mr. Moore,“ he said.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I just got out,” he responded.
“Out of what?” i had to ask.
“I was locked up.”
I guess he’s been in the juvenile detention center for the last few days. I didn’t even realize it. I just knew that he’d been suspended. He still has five days on his suspension but he must have been coming in to pick up his books and because . . . he misses school? Who knows? I’m going to have to spend more time on that kid. He’s too smart for his own good.
Ms. Helm has challenged my reading class to a competition. We’ve already started talking trash in front of the kids. The bet is to see whose class can read the most. We haven’t decided what the prize will be. Her kids want me to cut my hair if they win. I don’t know. I don’t really want to do it but if it will make them read . . . I’ll have to think about it.

Monday, Monday, Monday

Monday, Monday, Monday. The quarter ends on Wednesday. Thursday we are off for Veterans Day. Friday is a Teacher Workday. The kids have it off. We’re supposed to get our first quarter report cards done. Rumor has it that if we have grades in on Wednesday then we don’t have to come on Friday. My grades will be in on Wednesday. I don’t care if I have to work past midnight. I really need the four-day weekend. It’s only a three-day school week. The kids are crazy. I just have to survive two more days.
I met with Mr. Latin again about Rodney. I’ve decided that I’m going to dismiss the entire class except for Rodney. Then, I can make sure that he takes all his materials with him. I’m planning on doing it every class until he learns. It’s totally inappropriate for a kid his age to need this king of extra attention but how can he ever do his homework if he never has his books?

Is There a Black Market for Microscopes?

Well, I guess the observation went OK because when I came in this morning the notes were gone and the can was in the trash. Today is Friday but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I have class tomorrow. Normally, it’s a Tuesday night thing but once a semester we have to meet on a Saturday. It’s scheduled from 9-3 and I’ll be presenting a paper that I have to write tonight. It’s a good thing I have Veteran’s Day off next week.
I went looking for microscopes today. They seem to have disappeared. I thought we had a whole set of new ones in the closet but when I looked this morning there were only a few. I thought Ms. Peters had them but she claimed that the ones in her room were from someone else. I don’t think I believe her. She always hoards the materials and then things have a strange way of just disappearing. I don’t know. Is there a black market for microscopes?
Rodney was extremely annoying today. He had a coughing fit until I let him go get a drink of water. Then, he asked if he could go to the bathroom and I accidentally said “yes." I’m just not much of a disciplinarian when it comes to the rules and sometimes (when I get asked a million times in the same day) I answer without remembering to think. Rodney came back from the bathroom and started climbing on the tables. Finally, he settled down to a game of paper football. I took the football from him, threw it in the trash, and had a talk with him. He settled down for the rest of the period.
After school, I saw him wreaking havoc in the hallway. He was grabbing two girls who were screaming at him to leave them alone. Meanwhile, a teacher who was telling him to stop and go home was being completely ignored. I handed him his notebook (which he had left in my classroom AGAIN)and walked him out of the building.

Notes to Principal: How to Conduct a Classroom Observation

The principal observed my class today. It’s been on the agenda for a while and I’ve kind of been stressing it. It’s just hard to work with someone looking over your shoulder. I’ve never liked having outsiders in my classroom. Well, we’d scheduled once for the principal to come in but then I had to miss it because of a curriculum-planning meeting. The principal was getting on me to reschedule and I was trying to put it off. Finally, today was the day.
He drank a mountain dew while he was watching. (I guess I’m not the only one who stayed up too late on Election night.) The students were surprisingly quiet during the warm-up exercise. A couple of girls kept popping up and down to get textbooks off the shelf. The principal scribbled notes furiously. I could have killed them. Then, class started. The same group of girls kept raising their hands, volunteering to read, and answering questions. They’re never cooperative. I guess they’re just showing off for the big boss.
About twenty minutes into class (and just before we got to the interesting part) the principal’s radio went off. He left and never came back. The only part that he observed was the boring part. After school, I stared at his mountain dew sitting where he left it, next to his notes at the side of the room. I contemplated pouring the mountain dew on the notes. Then, I thought about reading what he’d written about me. I did neither. I’ll find out soon enough. The can and notes are still sitting there in my room.

The horror . . . the horror . . .

The horror, the horror. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it to take a day off. The room was a disaster. Guess who got in trouble? It was the usual list including my little friend Rodney. As usual, he left his notebook in the room instead of taking it with him. I’ve written “Don’t Leave in Room” on it in big, black letters. It doesn’t seem to matter. I’m so sick of seeing it in my room that I feel like throwing it out but I don’t want to give him another reason to slack off in class.
Ms. Morris, the counselor, approached me today. She said that she’d heard that I had a “meeting” with Rodney’s father. I told her no but that he’d had a “meeting” with me. She seemed to know what that meant so I asked her what the history was. All she would says is that it goes way back and the family still doesn’t “get it”.
Malcolm got a ten-day suspension for leaving his gang-graffittied binder in my room. I guess he’s got a history too. The school police officer was livid. I guess she’s worked quite a bit with the family and Malcolm is still getting in a lot of trouble in the community. He was one of the kids that they brought in this summer for a big gang mediation. That was supposed to be the end of it. Malcolm’s mom thought that ten days was too much but he’s had a history and he’s been warned before. Personally, I like the guy. He’s got a good sense of humor and he’s smart. I admit that he can get on my nerves but he’s usually polite—at least in my class. I’m not sure how he’s always getting in trouble but he’s smart enough that he could get into some real serious trouble.

What a Day

What a day. I left substitute plans so that I can take tomorrow off. Now that Jamal is gone I am supposed to choose another student to focus on fixing. So, this morning I spent over an hour in a meeting about Rodney. We have to try to figure this kid out.
The elections are tomorrow. Every school system in the metropolitan area has the day off except for us. They’re going to be voting in our school. It’s going to be a total mess. I don’t know how we’re going to control students and voters at the same time. That’s one reason I’m taking the day off. The other reason is so that I’ll have time to vote. I have school all day and class all evening. When am I supposed to vote? The polls close at 7 p.m.
I have a test in my class tonight. I’m stressing it. At the same time, however, I really don’t care. I guess I’m getting pretty close to the burnout point. It's yet another reason to take tomorrow off. The principal is going to be observing my class on Thursday. I should take Thursday off, too. I don’t even know what happened to this weekend.