Just so you know

I love my kids, my students, even the ones that wrote the note this week that called me a fat ass bitch. Especially the ones that called me a fat ass bitch- and got caught writing it in another teacher's class. You see, these kids are some of the good kids, from good families from what I can tell. They got caught up in a middle school moment of bravado and went overboard. Am I hurt or offended? Absolutely not, I laughed my butt off. But, they did write some things about another student that could have been hurtful if found by that kid. After they were caught and realized I had seen it they came to apologize, unfortunately the administrators dole out punishment for this, so all 3 are in ISS (in school suspension) for 3 days. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a straight face while 2 traumatized 7th grade boys come to tell you they are sorry? I didn't do very well. And that was before the Vice Principal got to them! If this is the worst thing they do in adolescence we will all rejoice.

Then, later that morning, I had to go to the office and listen to them apologize to me in front of the V. Principal and get a little lecture from him and me. I eventually managed to look serious. This in the course of one day.

And if you are wondering what I do in a day besides acting as a font of knowledge for America's youth, here is a peek.

These are benchmark tests and the results waiting to be handed out in the next class so we can go over them. I did not choose to give this test or what is on it. It is last years state test. We give these as a practice for the real thing which is coming up this month. Yes, it takes days away from teaching more interesting and stimulating things.

This is my desk,covered with the paperwork I had to deal with last week. I know I am not a neat person, but really, where can I put it? It is all in progress, being worked on between everything else. The white blobs are my attempts at hurried editing to remove identifing marks. Let's look more closely....

These are papers that were just turned in that need to be graded. They are on a different table by the door (I have no idea who left that mug there) and will make it to my desk soon.

Graded papers that need to be handed back.

The planner where I write out my lesson plans, which also have to be typed onto a website and submitted weekly (I am always behind on this).

Papers from students that were handed in late... after they saw their progress report grades.

Forms and letter of explanation for my days of missed work, since I did not go to the doctor and do not have a note from him. One is because my son was puking and was sent home from his school (didn't take him for a stomach virus) and one is my own migraine. I have already been to the Dr. for that, have the meds and do not go everytime.

This is the notebook and envelope that I use to keep up with stuff for the group of kids that meets with me once a week after school. We are writing to kids at our sister school in our sister city in Poland.

These are just files that kind of live on the corner of my desk for easy reference for whatever we are doing at the time. These happen to be research and references for the novel and setting we are studying.

Names of kids and instructions for ranking of students nominated for National Junior Honor Society. All of their teachers will do this and the sponsor will compile the results.

The blue paper is a requisition/puchase order so I can go to WalMart (on my own time, using my own gas, 25 miles away) to purchase classroom supplies. I coud get some things cheaper from catalogs but was told by my department head to do it this way. Probably because she does not have time to fill out all the separate P.O's it would take (and dept. heads are the only ones who can do that now). The other paper is a request to send work to kids who are in ISS for that day.

These are parked on top of my CPU for lack of a better spot. I need to have them handy. The green one has a form for every kid that has modifications due to special ed or 504 status.The black one has math mini lessons that must be taught every Monday during advisory (homeroom period). The blue one has results of a diagnostic test my students take which helps determine their reading level.

These files contain forms and things that are used on a daily/or often basis. The top paper is a list of kids who leave my class to go to a computer reading lab for extra help. There are also forms to go with the assignments to take to AEP (alternative school), which I am expected to visit at least once a week- using my own car and gas and some of the time I am allowed for planning. Luckily our campus is the closest.

This is just notes and reminders to myself of things I need to run off when I get to the copy machine. Comfy chair coupons are earned by reading and grant the privilege of sitting in the papasan chair for a class period.

Last, and I suppose I should say not least, although I am certainly finding it hard to give it the importance deemed neccessary by the powers that be; the manual and only part of the paperwork for "TOP".  Texas Observation Protocals  is part of the TELPAS,Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System. TELPAS is used to rate and track the progress of ELL's, English Language Learners. I have 4 kids to rate. I had to have training last year that was several hours long. THis year I had to meet with the man from central office, who is partially in charge, to be refreshed and sign official documents, then I had take a computer refresher course that took a couple of hours to complete. Now I am in the process of compiling writing samples from these students that must be within a certain window of dates and have very specific criteria . I will fill out detailed forms and evaluate and rate them holistically from the rubric provided before submitting them to the proper authorities.

So, there you have it, my life is a paper jungle, but please don't tell Al Gore. I have a feeling we may be responsible for the destruction of the rain forest.

You know I could get a lot done if it wasn't for these dang kids coming in every hour and a half.

(No school time was used for this post. It is now 12:12 a.m.)

Comments

[Vikki]

Wow, that is a lot of paper. I feel overwhelmed just looking at the pictures. I knew there was a reason I didn't become a teacher :)

[chris]

that is EXCELLENT! this should be distributed to a wider audience! excellent work!

[Tami]

Whoa... I can't believe how much there is to being a teacher! How in the world do you do it? You need a weekend with a friend at a huge flea market/antique show. Ha

[Blog Antagonist]

Good grief. You need a secretary!

As you know, last week I posted a very long rant on my blog about the state of public education. But let me just say thank you for all that you do. I know that you teachers are just as much victims of all the beaureaucratic micro-managing as the kids are.

That's too much to ask of anyone, much less someone who is not being paid the six figures they deserve.

We're lucky to have dedicated people like you in there.