The Teacher Thread - Page 29

That's why I became a teacher. Awards. Great message for the kids.

The idea that we should separate parents and families more from the classroom and that the way to remedy hostile learning environments is with violence is ludicrous. I'm not namby-pamby walk-all-over-me by any stretch of the imagination, or do I know all there is to know about teaching, but rapping kids on the knuckles, throwing them in confinement or smacking them is the perfect way to increase hostility in your classroom and take the attention off of learning experiences. I feel like when a teacher thinks its necessary to take this approach, it's time to find a new job. A teacher vs. student relationship in the classroom shuts down any effective learning- nobody wants to be in an environment like that in either role.

Yeah, that whole thing was probably in the news because it happens all the time and wasn't some freak case? I'd be interested in the backstory and history of this kid and administrator.

Just telling someone to go to the office distracts the kids for at least 10 minutes. I usually can't get them back on task. I don't know what would happen if a kid got smacked with a ruler.

You are kidding......I couldn't teaching in NYC Schools.....Had a kid cleaning the floor with a broom after he tracked in mud. He apologized afterwards for being messy....I guess it's a southern thing.

Has anyone here taught an AVID class? The AVID teacher here tried to kill herself (She shot herself in the head, but didn't die). So I might fill in for her, while she gets herself together.

I am not quite sure what they do these days. From what I have been told they spend most of their time in tutorials and writing letters to universities. A lot of group work too.

Edit- What I mainly want to know is if the students are going to be, for lack of a better word, good.

The gf is applying to grad schools for a masters of arts in teaching. How important is a school's ranking in terms of later job placement?

I know in law, rankings mean an incredible amount. I'm sure teaching isn't as extreme, but does the school's ranking have an impact? She's going for a California credential.

I don't think it matters much for MATeaching. It's about having good experience, published papers, guest lectures, organized workshops, etc. God, I would never, ever want to teach at a level below university in the USA. I would rather go back to being a personal trainer.

Wife is an AVID teacher, and the school she works at is really big into this program. If you ask questions here or in PM I can (hopefully) get her to answer them.

Thanks for the response. She's looking towards teaching HS science. I'd probably kill myself.
So it's probably not worth waiting out a year to go a rank 20 school versus rank 120? (These are national ranks.) Both are in state. Another option would be to go to the best school she can in another state and take whatever exams she may need for the credential to carry over to California.

Yeah, the current methods of advanced discipline are more of a disruptive force on the overall classroom setting, at least with the kids that I'm used to seeing. If you smacked a kid with a ruler it would either shut everybody up real quick or start a classroom riot.

OKAY, here was my last official day at school……Graduation is tomorrow evening.

Waited until my last school day to be one of my worst. Had to pull 3 from graduation for tearing up the school this past weekend… $2500 worth of damage. Were caught on camera, and wound up confessing.
According to state law we had three choices. ( The school ‘s choices.)
1. AEP ( In school suspension)
2. Expulsion ( Would not graduate and would complete another year in school.)
3. Felony charges- Probably 2-6 months in a state jail if convicted.
We chose the in school suspension, which means they would pay for the damages and not get to walk. They will receive their diplomas at a later date.
-Started at 7:25am this morning in Supt of School's Office telling her what the high school faculty suggested.
-Spent the next few hours discussing other options with the principal.
-The afternoon was spent telling the boys, they do not get to walk. ( Tough to do.)
-An hour later, was yelled at by an outraged dad. I yelled back.
-A mother of another boy came and cried and yelled. I yelled back.
-Both parents were upset grandma would not see the kids graduate.
-All said and done, nothing changed. The boys are not walking.
-Just think, I could have taken the day off.
- I literally am sick physically. I am afraid to check my B/P.
-Trust me, I have earned my retirement

My day sucked. I deserve a raise.