Teacher Tuesday

Today I taught my first writing lesson. The lesson went well- thankfully J I know what I can work on next time to make the lessons even more explicit and better. I then was able to 1-on-1 conference with 5 students while they did their writing. We are concentrating on using our newly acquired word books as a resource for spelling words. It is a joy watching the students’ writing take off full speed at the age they are at! J

I just wanted to share an interview by school administration of an eager teaching prospect. I have shared it before, but now I understand what the teacher said just that much more… J

"Let me see if I've got this right … 

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, 

and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. 

And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, 

modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and 

even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, 

check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, 

and raise their self esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship,

sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, 

how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, 

recognize signs of anti-! social behavior, 

make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, 

even those who don't come to school regularly or 

complete any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps 

get an equal education regardless of the extent of their 

mental or physical handicap.

I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, 

a bulletin board, a big smile , 

AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

You want me to do all of this and yet you still expect me....

"NOT TO PRAY"?!