The Prices Write

Hey gang,

As I have been reading the reflective essays my students have written I am almost overcome with sadness. In one period, over 75% of the essays were written about their most significant moment. One where they were injured either by a drunk parent or while their parents were wasted.

One I just read detailed a boy who’s father was drunk and hit him in the head with a baseball. He was five years old. The boy was in a coma for several months.

What kind of parenting is this? How is it that these kids’ parents are so irresponsible when they drink that they constantly put their childrens’ lives in danger???

Perhaps this is one possible reason. The next essay I read was about a girl who nearly drown in the ocean while her family watched from the shore, drunk…her parents were 16.

The stories get sadder and sadder. We wonder why these kids can’t be educated, their parents are kids when they have them. Many are drug babies and this is the kind of example that is set for them. The sad part is…they think this is normal.

How do I convince them that it is not?

And I kicked booty on my Praxis exam!  I was tested about a month ago on “English Language/Literature Pedagogy.” Basically a test that costs $140 to see if you know how to teach LA/Lit.  I just got my scores in the mail tonight.

Overall, I received 180 points out of a possible 200 on the test.  This gives me a passing score which means I am licensed to teach in Hawaii…wait, haven’t I already been teaching here for four years???  I also got the maximum score on the “Responding to student writing” portion where I had to point out areas to help a student on based upon what he/she wrote in an essay.  Well then…maybe I can teach after all??? LOL!

Howdy folks.

Just dropped by to say that my third FRESHMAN of the year (1.5 months) has been suspended on “zero tollerance” for being under the influence/in posession/possibly selling drugs on campus.  I’m still just flaberghasted that:

A) They are 14 and possibly selling drugs already!

B) We’ve only been in school for just over a month and

C) They were too stupid to learn from their first friend who got busted just a few weeks ago for the same freakin’ thing!!!

UGH! What is wrong with these kids?!

In addition, what is wrong with the system?  For drug offenses they are given a 90 day suspension…sounds like a 3-month vacation to me!  We should make them go to Narcotics Annonymous or something.

In related news, the school year is going ok.  I read one period’s “final essays” tonight…let’s just say “yikes!”  We’re almost done with first quarter already which makes my mind boggle.  It’s going so fast!!!

Hey Gang,

I need some advice! I’ve got this kid in my 3rd period who is driving me up the wall! He does the “whiney voice” every single day. You know, that 3-year-old hig-pitched nails on the chalkboard sound when they don’t get thier way? Let me give you a visual:

Me: “please take out a piece of paper”
WV (whiney voice) “but I don’t want to take out paper.”
Me: “life isn’t always about doing what you like.”
WV: “but my paper is all the way in my bag.”
Me: “well, your bag is right next to you, why don’t you get a piece of paper out?”
WV: “do I have to?”
Me: “yes”
WV: “but I dont’ want to…” and on and on and on

So, for those of you who have kids, how do you make your kids stop. I can’t slap him, so get creative. Those of you without kids, how did your parents/teachers make you stop. I’m about to knock his block off!!!

Thanks for the help. Even making me laugh whould be a welcome relief right now. I swear, I should be getting combat pay too! Talk about the front lines…I teach FRESHMEN!!! LOL.

From the trenches,
A disgruntled Mrs. Price