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DEL.ICIO.US‘I No Longer Have the Strength To Fight’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This teacher posted on the Mundy’s Mill thread below. Be sure to read to the end.
“…Every day I see the disrespect of students to teachers and administrators. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do as discipline measures other than detention, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension. Most of the time, teachers cannot assign detention because parents can’t get the kids to school. We have watch our number of OSS because of No Child Left Behind- attendance is a measure of school performance. Our hands are tied, and we are extremely frustrated.
As a whole, most teachers are caring, dedicated professionals who would be happy to be held accountable to taxpayers. I have taught in a Title One school for six years. It is emotionally exhausting; it is demanding of time and money … yes, I spend over $500. per year on classroom materials so my students have what they need. Some parents either don’t have the money or don’t have the inclination to ensure that their child comes to school with materials. I firmly believe that ALL children deserve a quality education, regardless of where they live or their economic situation.
But, I have to tell you, after this year- seeing the constant disrespect and vandalism of a beautiful new building, and having 8th graders yell at me when I ask them to pull up their trousers or cover their cleavage, I’ve had enough. I am saddened that it become so bad that I feel compelled to move to a different school.
The children that I see every day are not being held accountable for their actions. Their parents, for the most part, blindly defend their children, even when there is a history of misbehavior. Or, they don’t even respond, saying they have too many other problems to “deal with this.” Now isn’t it a shame when a parent doesn’t have time for his/her child.
Someone said in an earlier post that schools are a reflection of society. I am constantly amazed by the intelligent and thoughtful discussion I have with my students; they are so very bright and perceptive and have so much iniative and inquisitiveness that it almost makes it worthwhile to stay. But then I walk into the hallway, and it’s a battle I no longer have the strength to fight.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Tiffany
April 27, 2005 04:38 PM | Link to this
I commend and admire all of you that have taken the responsibility to educate our children. I am a mother of 4 and I will admit that it is hard but it is a job that I must do. I try to give my children all that they need to grow and mature into responsible adults. We set rules and consequences and when I do get a call from the teacher it is matter that is dealt with immediately. I understand that my role as a parent is a tough one and I make my children accept responsibility for their actions. They can’t tell me the usual, my teacher doesn’t like me or she picks on me for no reason. It is a pet peeve to me for parents to do this. It’s time teachers are supported and respected for the job they do because I know that it takes special people to deal with not just a problem child but sometimes a class and even a school of problem kids. My hat goes off to all of you that have chosen to educate and I hope that you all get more of what you need from your parents: support/communication and cooperation. Best wishes to all.
By b. white
April 28, 2005 08:23 AM | Link to this
I teach also. Sometimes I am amazed by the students curiosity and desire to learn. Other days I am equally amazed by their disrespect and laziness. If it wasn’t for the handful that show promise I couldn’t do it anymore. Lord help us all!!!!!!
By Teacher
April 28, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this
Administrators are not making their presence known to the students, nor are they trying to help teachers with unruly students. I have noticed that some administrators are more interested in how they are perceived by others instead of showing their teachers that they are truly interested in their well being. How can they do this? Visit the classrooms on a regular basis. Observe the severity of behavior from year to year in the same students because if you were a handful in first grade, just wait until 2nd or 3rd. There are some schools where the students don’t know which administrator is which. When unruly students are sent to the office, nothing major ever occurs of it. When you send students repeatedly, it is the teacher who is reprimanded. A Professional Development Plan is developed because it is obvious that she is not able to manage her class. Teaching is not just the administration of the curriculum. It encompasses every job from mother/father to psychologist and preacher. We need strict guidelines for dealing with unruly students because if you think there is a teacher shortage now, just wait until all hell breaks loose.
By David
April 28, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this
The comment is right on the money…i teach middle school ISS…We do not suspend many kids out of school because we have to meet the guidelines of No Child Left Behind…this is sad…we have so many students at my school who are “riding the fence” so to speak….and many of these students “look up” to the trouble makers and thugs…(black and white)…less children will be “left behind” if we send a clear signal that behavior problems will be dealt with by sending these kids home…removing them from the school setting…it is so upsetting for me to have a kid 5 and 6 times in ISS during the year…and this kid never is suspended…this is my last year teaching after 19 years…i cannot continue to fight this battle either…the lady was right in stating that everyone has a right to an education….but the students who are not choosing to take advantage of this are leading others down a dead end street which results in so many who will be left behind….Education is NOT for everyone….
By Lola
April 28, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this
It is a sad day when we are allowing thugs and criminals to stay in school but we are willing to let good and caring teachers leave. There has GOT to be something done to stop this dangerous trend from growing like it is. There is a zero-tolerance policy for drugs. Why isn’t there one for discipline problems? Both of you teachers who have posted and are getting out, please come to East Cobb and teach. We need good teachers and our kids aren’t perfect, but they’re certainly better than these gang-banging idiots and the majority of us parents DO care and ARE involved in our childrens’ lives and education.
By Maria
April 28, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this
This teacher’s message is heartbreaking. It also serves as a clear reminder that NCLB is simply not working and is causing far more problems than it solves. We may not be able to walk with and support this fine teacher as she enters her classroom for the remaining days of school, but we can write our legislators to let them know that NCLB is leaving a LOT of things behind: good teachers, a safe school environment, and most often, common sense. Perhaps Pres. Bush and the authors of the NCLB program should come spend a day with this teacher and others like her. They’d soon find that unfortunately, there are plenty of violent, out-of-control kids who not only need to be left behind, but locked up as well.
By David
April 28, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
i’ve got to say something lola, i’ve been teaching 19 years…middle school and high school history and government and now ISS in the middle school…you are the first person in the last 5 years who has actually made me feel appreciated at what i do…thank you, david…
By David
April 28, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this
maria, good comment!!!this just goes to show what i have always believed….people who make educational decisions should have educational experience IN THE CLASSROOM ….from BUSH, Congress, State Govts., all the way to the local school boards!!!these people don’t have a clue what we are dealing with in certain schools ….esp. east of atlanta….we have kids in my school that should have been kicked out back in october….but WE HAVE TO MEET THE ATTENDANCE CRITERIA MANDATED BY NCLB….we are losing 8 teachers this year…one is a former student of mine who wanted to come back to her school and teach…she is a first year teacher….she’s gone…how i long for the days when i taught kids who at least acted like they wanted to learn….so i’m out too after 19 years…i’ll pay for my own benefits…but you know …you reach a point where that alternative is not that bad..
By Gene Walker
April 28, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this
If a teacher has a principal willing to put his/her neck on the line to support them they are lucky. Most current day administrators have spent well less than 10 years in the classroom. They are busy working on a doctorate, playing the company line and striving for one of many jobs in a central office, away from the students. Any principal that calls too much attention to problems within a school will soon be looking for a new job. Remember the movie Stand and Deliver. There are few Joe Clarks out there.
By Suwanee
April 28, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this
I live next door to a Gwinnett teacher who is one of the finest people I know and it breaks my heart to hear her stories. Parents today are the problem, not teachers.
I am a bit surprised, however, at David’s postings because he appears to be clueless about using correct punctuation. Come on, David. Sentences are separated by a single period. Your constant…separation of your thoughts and sentences…does not a good impression make…so I would encourage you to write correctly everwhere…including in a blog or…your point, any point, will be lost. How can we take your professional opinion seriously if we cannot be sure of your teaching value?
By LISA
April 28, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
I’am just amaze but not shock with the comment which the teacher posted!!!It’s true the hands or tied for many teachers,especially in inner city school.We must get back to the basic!! which mean parents must be parents and not there kids friends,We must get expectation back within the home!!!Parents must understand there position and get back in it.We must put programs in target neighborhood and just be real with parents.Lets just face it!!! we have a lot of people that just don’t know better,and that come from generational curses,which has been pass down thru the family.Now we must show compassion and respect for them!!! people will listen when you talk to them not at them!!! Now i’am not making no excuse for the children but we are all God children!!! and we must not give up!!!! we must just tell the truth!!! to our people!!! we must be straight up in a loving way!!! not in a belittling way but in a concern and helpful way!!!!Because we can pay now are we can pay later.I know this for sure the village has neglected the children in the black community!!!Reason:We think we have arrive with our Big houses and two door garage!!! we have been blind side with all the materialistic thing and not spreading the true wisdom and knowledge among our youth!! I find that the older people want share how they got over with the younger people!!! instead they continue to condemn them!!! You have a hand full of people that will tell you the truth!!! but majority rule!!!So the bottom line is this!!!Teacher I understand!! and I feel your pain!!The only thing i can suggest to you and other teachers that are in this stiuation,Is to get out!or stay in and demand change!!! Start a teacher union!!! and demand that Parents take back authority over there kids!!! Go on Strike!!!!! STOP ALLOWING YOURSELF AS TEACHERS TO BE DISRESPECTED YOU WORTHY AND EVEN THOUGH THAT’S YOUR JOB!!!BUT HOW LONG SHOULD YOU BE ABUSE AND DISRESPECTED!!!
By David
April 28, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this
Gene, i agree 100%…my current administrator had 1.5 years experience when she was hired….before that she was a counselor….ok…so i said “no problem”…it will be ok…then she hired 2 assistants who had ZERO experience!!!!!…..i mean you know there is something to be said for surrounding yourself with folks who may know more than you….hell…BUSH did it…any high school football coach will tell you that to be successful you surround yourself with good assistants…i mean the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing around here…but you are right…our administrator is now “DR.”…SO WHAT!!!!
By David
April 28, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this
suwanee, as rhett butler said: “i apologize for my shortcomings”……but you really have given me something to think about…the behavior of these children may be a direct result of my bad punctuation…i think i’ll go take a Language Arts class and finish out my last 12 years..
By LISA
April 28, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this
Gene thanks for the truth of the matter we know school system get played like a x box!!All the time!!! I know a teacher right now who taught in Atlanta Public School!!! He got all the training and information.Now he have started a CHARTER SCHOOL!!!not only that but he go around the lower income neighborhood recruiting kids from lower income families The school tell the kids they have to earn a book earn a chair earn a desk!!! now how come we as black people keep falling for mess like this when black people have been hung and beaten to deaf just for reading he tell them they have to earn a book earn a desk he punish the whole class when one student misbehave and tell them this is how the world do!! this school is located right in a black neighborhood!!! how long will we as black people continue to fall for if it’s white it’s right! We as black people better wake up!!! and stop thinking just because someone from another race tell you something it’s right!!! We need to research things for ourself and realize who we are in GOD EYE.he love us all!!! and he want the best for us every race!!! but we as black people don’t want the truth we want embrace our culture our natural hair our full lips nothing!!! We have been told for so long your bad!! your ugly!!!your black!!! your dum!!! you can’t learn!!! your poor!!! we got to stop killing each other and start loving one another!!! we must learn as people who we are and where we come from!!! the education system will not do it!!! We are the only race that don’t celebrate who we are we don’t claim AFRICA!! It’s like we HATE OURSELF.
By David
April 28, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this
suwanee….that is EVERYWHERE…not everwhere….are you related to Loretta Lynn by any chance??
By Devil's Advocate
April 28, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this
Lisa, Some of your post doesn’t make sense. Please state exactly what you mean about the charter school. Are you saying that it’s bad for kids to believe that they should contribute to their own education? Are you saying that misbehavior itself doesn’t punish the rest of the kids who want to learn?
By teach
April 28, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this
Lisa suggests that teachers go on strike? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I am a teacher for the kids…not for me. By going on strike I would be neglecting the students that I chose to educate. That’s absolutely irresponsible. Education is not a profession for the selfish. Granted, I would like more respect and more money, but that’s not why I chose to teach. I’m here for the kids.
Additionally, if Lisa knows so much about what is good for schools, then why isn’t she out doing something about it, rather than ranting on ajc?
By CSC
April 28, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
I wouldn’t be a teacher if you paid me.
By Mary Jane
April 28, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
Teach - I’ll tell you why LISA is ranting on the internet. She’s really an Alpharetta soccer mom getting her kicks pretending she’s an idiot from the hood. LISA - who’s telling you all these things you say you’re being told? I see your “get empowered” point of view but a victimized attitude will get you nowhere. Do you think the Korean liquor store owner in your neighborhood lets the negative feelings around him ruin his existence? Yea Teach - let’s get LISA out on the street bustin heads and putting into action the things she feels. The teachers need her help.
By Veteran teacher
April 28, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
Many of the comments you have written are so true. I have taught in the public elementary schools in south GA for 24 years. Children are nothing but a product of the parents who are raising them. Parents who are supportive of teachers and expect their children to follow rules usually have children who do so. Over the years I’ve seen children become more and more disrespectful. Parents want to make excuses for their children, lie for them, and fight their battles. I once told a parent that her child was not a problem to me because at the end of the school year, I would no longer have to deal with his misbehavior. But I told her that she would have this problem for the rest of her life if she didn’t work on correcting it now. And this child was in Kindergarten. I am truly afraid to see what our society will be like when these children become adults.
By LISA
April 28, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this
teach: I mean come on you teach, you can only talk the talk when you have walk the walk!!! and belive me I HAVE!! now once again you may be a teacher who love what you do!! and commited!!! But I know and your colleagues are tired!!! and feel disrespected and furstrated about the kids!!! Now you can continue to take your energy and waste it on what I’am I DOING!!!well I’am sharing knowledge on how I got over!!! to young people!!! I’am talking to the young people who pants or falling down who clevage is showing!!! I let them know they are somebody that GOD LOVE THEM!!! I LOVE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE!!! I DON’T CONDEMN THEM!! I HELP THEM TO SEE THERE IS HOPE!!! AND WITH FAITH!!! THEY CAN DO AND BE ANYTHING!!! NOW IS THAT IN YOUR TEACHING CONTRACT!!!!
By LISA
April 28, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this
MaryJane:I was once lost myself in negativity.Now I’am found!!! and I’am a Atlanta born native right here in the city of Atlanta.I mean the bottom line is this you don’t allow your enviroment to tell you how to think!!! that black children right now feel that It’s not cool to be smart or even talk correct english!!! I’am from HOOD!!BORN AND RAISE!!!I just don’t let the hood raise me!!!I know who I’am in CHRIST!!! And I have Expectation of myself!!! and expectancy from my kids!!! I even surround myself with people who are in better position than myself as well as those who are not!!! The bottom line is this I’AM A BAND MOM BETA CLUB MOM DRILL TEAM MOM PTA PRESIDENT 3 TIMES TRASPORTATION MOM!!! I ENCOURAGE SINGLE MOM I GO INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS!! I VISIT THE LEAST OF THESE!! I CAN GO ON AND ON WHAT IS IT WITH BLACK PEOPLE NOT HAVING EXPECTATION ALONG WITH KNOWING WHO YOU ARE!!! AND NOT ALLOWING THINGS AND NEIGHBORHOODS MAKE YOU!!! WHAT MAKE YOU IS YOU!!! BE YOURSELF!!! AND FREE THE CHAINS ON THE MIND!!!
By OC
April 28, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this
I was a teacher in a Title One School for 2 years before I moved. I cared so much for my first graders and looked forward to seeing them everday. The principal and assistant pricipal we had were very dedicated and always out in the school popping into classrooms through out the year. There were quite a few trouble makers in our school let alone my classroom. I went to several seminars and meetings learning about different teaching techniques and styles to help grab the attention of the “behavior problem” and focus that extra energy or problem on to school and learning. It didn’t always work but it was so great when you could even work with one child and help focus them. Now to the point that is being made. Yes children are very very different then when I was in elementary school. It does seem that there is not a lot of parental involvement but what I found was that it wasn’t that most of the parents of the “behavior problem kids” didn’t care or made excuses, it was more that they were unable to be home because most of them are working 2 jobs to keep a roof over the childrens heads and food on the table. yes that is a lack of parental involvement but some of these kids are being raised by their brothers or sisters who are not much older than they are. I had many parents that cared and were horrified when I would inform them of an improper behavior but they felt they had no cotrol over their child who is only 6 or 7 years old. Yes there needs to be more parental involvement in a child’s up bringing and values and respect for others but how can we help these parents that do care but must work extra hours or multiple jobs to keep food on the table?
By T. Barrett
April 28, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this
When Lola gave the offer of working at East Cobb, she means East Cobb Middle School. There are several middle schools in East Cobb County (most of which contain the well-known East Cobb demographics). However, East Cobb Middle School has a much more diverse socio-economic population due to the large number apartment complexes in the I-75 corridor (along Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill Roads for example). Despite the challenges, East Cobb Middle School is an excellent school (along with Wheeler High School, the high school East Cobb students feed into). The Wheeler High School Cluster has excellent community support…supporting all students…from the recent immigrants in the apartment complexes to the upper middle class families living in the Indian Hills Country Club.
By LISA
April 28, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this
MaryJane:I’am very disappointed and I see why our children or getting worst!!!Adults like you!! who make violent threat against another!!! Mrs Jane we need people to share ideals not condemn and hate on each other!!!we have enough of that already!!Let learn how to have constructive criticism without putting each other down!!!!
By Lesli
April 28, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this
Lisa… I agree with you that children need love and understanding. I believe that the bible mandates that we love and pray for one another. However, the bible is also full of passages that stress the importance of self-discipline and the obligation of parents to discipline their children. Proverbs 22:15 (NIV) states the following: Folly is bound up in the the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. My personal belief is that education is a privilege, not a right, and should be treated as such. I understand that the thinking is that compulsory education will provide job and life skills while preventing crime and dependence on welfare benefits. While this theory may hold water, in practice it does not hold true, especially in a system where the teachers and administrators have no real authority to discipline disruptive children. If we are to be forced to educate children who do not wish to be educated, I believe boot-camp type schools should be made more available. Most of the parents of these children refuse to see the long-term implications of their children’s behavior. I have seen children with multiple offenses in traditional schools get a whole new perspective on things once they are exposed to a more structured environment.
By LISA
April 28, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this
Leslie: Nothing can be accomplish without order!!! and you can’t make it or even see it without expectancy!! for the black community we must change the way we think and how we look at ourself!!! we do have choices and we do have right’s. We feed our child so much hostility and mean spirit, no wonder they come out bitter!!! we must say to our children these words:I KNOW YOU CAN ,YOU CAN MAKEIT, KEEPON TRYING, DON’T GIVE UP, HANG IN THERE, IT’S YOURS, BELIVE IT, GO GET IT, I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT, I EXPECT THIS OF YOU,AND I LOVE JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, YOUR BEAUTIFUL, YOUR A KING, YOUR A QUEEN.DON’T WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE TEENAGERS DO IT WHILE THEY ARE BABIES.AND EVEN WHEN THEY MESS UP EXPALIN AND TELL THEM TO GET BACK UP AGAIN!!!
By ML
April 28, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
I am sadden at what some of the schools in Clayton County have to deal with. I do hope that they can be turned around and corrected. I also pray that other schools in the South Fulton Area and Fayette, Henry, etc do something proactive to make sure things of the same do not enter into their schools and make them worse. Things need to be done now. Uniforms, dogs once a week in school checking for drugs and guns, zero disipline policy, etc. Lets not let it spread and also lets try and help improve Claytons situation in the schools.
By I_Teach
April 28, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this
I have a good friend who worked under Joe Clark. Trust me, it wasn’t anything like the movie portrayed. Morale in that building was horrible. She still teaches there, a decade (or more) since Bat Boy Joe left the building. His policies were very divisive, and he ran a lot of good teachers OUT, along with the bad.
It’s a tough job, but I don’t want to do anything. I do want support of my administrators, but mostly want to be taken seriously, as a PROFESSIONAL. I have advanced degrees in Reading Literacy; you may know your child outside the classroom, but I do know your child better in the classroom. Please don’t second guess me, or undermine my authority. I ask all of my parents to work WITH me. Yet, year in and year out, I get the parents who think they do know best, and ultimately do harm to the kids.
I wear both hats- I am the very proud mother of two high schoolers (boys). One sailed through school-gifted classes, honors, AP..and is off to a big ol’ university. My other is severely dyslexic, yet works his hiney off to get Bs and Cs. I do know how hard it is being a parent with a struggling child, but I give his teachers the benefit of the doubt. So far? I’ve only clashed once-and at the end of the year, she went to my child and told him how proud she was that he proved her wrong.
I am also tired of parents constantly finding excuses for poor behavior. They seem to be too afraid to correct their kids.
I have too many friends who are in buildings where there is no support for the teachers.
I wonder how many years I will stick it out. I am lucky; I work in a “good school,” but the problems we encounter, while different, are just as serious and hurt everyone. It’s getting worse, not better.
Parent involvement, not interference is key. Knowing the difference is really important, and too many parents don’t. Accountability is great-but remember- I have these kids for 6 3/4 hrs…what is going on the other 17 1/4???? I never expected-nor wanted- my sons’ teachers to raise them. I don’t want to raise anyone elses. When I write you a note, please take it seriously, so I see a change in your child. When your child acts out, it interferes with the learning process of my 19 other kids! NOT FAIR.
NCLB is a sham. It’s mandates are killing actual teaching; kids are not cookie dough-they aren’t popped out of a mold, only to be identical. NCLB doesn’t address this. It is time to go to the people who know how to fix education-THE TEACHERS.
By TJ
April 28, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this
I hear and read all of the comments that teachers make, and completely understand your frustration. However, as a parent, I have very little empathy for the teachers who are not teachers for any reason other than the number of days that you have to work in a year. Moreover, I am disappointed in the culture of teachers here in Georgia. The common excuse I have heard for the many years that my child has been in school here is that they don’t have enough parent involvement, or support, but I can name on one hand (with change left over) how many teachers actually welcome the parent’s involvement. More often, I would call my child’s school or one of her teachers, only to get a heavy sigh or similar response as if I am bothering them. I have een had teachers tell me they are too busy to talk to me! My child went the first two weeks of school without a schedule, and was made to sit in the gymnasium all day, every day, because they didn’t have her schedule!!! That is ridiculous! And after the third time I called her counselor, she lied to me and told me that she had taken care of it, only to find out from my child that evenining that she did not have a schecule yet. When I again called the counselor, she told me that her supervisor told her to tell me that! So now SOUTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS condone lying to parents! Needless to say, I transferred my child OUT OF STATE, where she could get a decent and competitive education that would prepare her for post-secondary education, and LIFE!
By ML
April 28, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this
It is true we really do need parental envolvement as much as possible. At the same time parents, teachers, Administrators, etc. and most of all students need to know that the public school system is not home, a park, a club, ect. It is a place for education and there should be rules and a way to behave in that building. This is school and this is how we behave and this is what we do. That is the way it was when I was in school and it worked really well. If you choose not to treat it like a school then you need to go to back home, or to the park, or club but in school this is the way we behave and this is what we do. It is to bad that some parents, teachers, admin., and a lot of students think that school needs to be more like home, the club, etc. The problem is we need to make school school again.
By TJ
April 28, 2005 01:31 PM | Link to this
Parenting and teaching is a partnership. Discipline at home is key - parent/teacher respect in schule is imperative. Because a student acts out at school, don’t always assume that it is because of their upbringing or lack of parental involvement. If you communicate with the parent effectively, you may learn something. Growing up, my parents and teachers had a mutual respect, that demonstrated to me that I did not have room to act out, because I would be disciplined by both. My teachers cared about us students as if we were their own. Those teachers respected their profession. I’m not so sure that is the case with every teacher here. I visit schools in different states and the culture is much different. I parent my child who is in a public high school 3,000 miles away and her teachers and administrators communicate very well with me through email, phone, etc. Never once have they told me they are too busy or just don’t have time. It’s time out for the excuses!
By Swan
April 28, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this
TJ, I normally try not to criticize a school too harshly because I know that none of them have it easy. But when you mentioned that it was South Cobb High School, I don’t blame you for what you did.
A friend of mine is raising her niece, who goes to this school. Recently, her niece was cornered in the gym by a huge male student who then shoved his hand down her shirt and said if she did not “give it to him” he would come and get her. They were surrounded by other students but this guy was so big, they could not see what he did. Then the bell rang and he left her alone.
It took my friend’s niece over two hours to find an administrator who would listen to her. They were all either too busy or not available. The school resource office said there was nothing he could do and he wouldn’t report it. The school didn’t even contact my friend until 5 p.m. to let her know what happened because “they didn’t want her running to the school all upset.” HUH? Even now, nothing has been done to the male student because it’s “his word against hers.”
I don’t blame the teachers for this situation but the administration for being out of touch with their students. Counselors these days are so busy overseeing all this testing that they can’t actually counsel a student. But if a student has experienced what is equivalent to sexual battery, she shouldn’t have to wander the buildng for two hours trying to get some help.
By David
April 28, 2005 01:54 PM | Link to this
TJ, give us the real reason ALL THESE TEACHERS sigh or say they are busy when you call…also, elaborate on “culture” of teachers here in GA….you lead me to believe that you may not be from Georgia..and i find it hard to believe that you had to send your child 3000 miles away to find a decent school….email or no email…you will not be nearly as involved in your childs life 3000 miles away…
By TJ
April 28, 2005 02:12 PM | Link to this
First to Swan - if the administrators would not step in to help you friend and her niece, have them file a report with the police department and press charges against the young man. Then send a copy of the police report to the School Superintendent’[s office. I be the school would get involved the…
To David, no, I’m not from Georgia, I’m from Colorado, which is where I sent my child. I call her every morning before school, and in the evening to make sure she’s getting homework done. THEN, I also have the ability to check her grades, know what homework she has and see teachers’ daily comments all on the school’s website REAL-TIME. The reason for the sighs, I would assume, are simple…I want to know what my child is doing in school, and how she is performing - if she gets a bad grade, or seems to not be grasping something, why would I not call the teacher to discuss on a regular basis? I would never question a teacher if I knew he or she were communicating regularly. Many times I would even simply request that I get some sort of weekly communication - tell me what concerns you may have with my child’s performance - good, bad or otherwise…the teacher is too busy? What if I told the teacher I was too bussy to discuss with him or her? I would be labeled the bad parent, huh? It’s bad when the child begs to not go to a school because of the atmosphere and environment. I would rather my child be safe, and get a quality education than have her risk being assaulted at school.
By David
April 28, 2005 02:26 PM | Link to this
TJ, i commend you for what you have done and i apologize for the “cold” words on email. That is the problem with email i guess. I wish more parents were like you. I have been doing this for 19 years. The problems stem, in my opinion, from a combination of incompetent administrators and parents. Of course there is a problem with incompetent teachers, but a strong administrator can cure that. If I were to send my daughter anywhere out of state I believe it would be Colorado. She and I spent a week there 4 yrears ago in Estes Park. As far as atmosphere and environment, I believe I could be a much better teacher in a different environment. The environment can bring teachers and students down to the point where we all underachieve. I would love to have a chance to teach in a school with a much better environment. I know I could make it 12 more years to retirement, but not here. I wish you and your daughter well. David
By TJ
April 28, 2005 02:33 PM | Link to this
David, I really wish you well. I hope your dedication to your profession is an example to the teaching profession. This is a case where I am all for cloning! :o) Not to bring race into it, but I sometimes think race plays a big part. I am an African-American single parent, and all I want to do is give a good example to my daughter and other young ladies of what can be achieved. Often, my daughter and I are stereotyped because we are a single-parent household, and that’s unfortunate. But enough about us. Keep up the good work, and to all teachers, please try to find a common ground with parents so that you can join forces - then you can tackle the administration together!
By David
April 28, 2005 02:41 PM | Link to this
Well i’m actually getting out TJ. Turned in the resignation last month and it has already been accepted. I will keep my certificate valid however. I have been a licensed Realtor with a local RE/MAX company and have done quite well, so I am blessed to have something to fall back on.
By Swan
April 28, 2005 02:47 PM | Link to this
TJ, you sound more plugged in with what is going on in your daughter’s life at 3,000 miles way than some parents who have kids in the next room. Kudos to you!
By David
April 28, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this
amen to that Swan….
By Suwanee
April 28, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this
Bravo, David. You CAN write a simple sentence. Regarding my heritage, none of your business. Regarding my typing skills, guilty as charged.
By David
April 28, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
I’ll take that as a yes suwanee…
By David
April 28, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this
Suwanee, I know by now that you have to have the last word so I fully expect you to answer this. I appreciate you admitting your type-o. My point is that you really need to refrain from finding a speck in someone elses eye when you have a log in your own. I know that I am not the first person you have found fault with nor the last. When you behave like that you actually bring out the worst in people (the Loretta Lyn comment). I hope in the future you will overlook minor details and faults in others. You will be a much happier person…..d
By A Teacher
April 28, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this
David, thank goodness you are getting out. Now maybe your ISS kids will have a teacher who looks at them as kids not felons. Maybe with some luck, they will have someone who will show them that they care.
By David
April 28, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this
A Teacher, for your info. i have spent the last 7 hours today gladly helping these students with math and geography. They are not felons. I have had 3 former students convicted of murder. My complaint was more against the parents and weak administrators. The burnout that most teachers, like myself, experience comes from lack of support. I do have students in here who wear the leg monitor because they are on probation. I did have one call me an SOB last month. My reaction was the following: “Bobby, I know you are having problems at home, I know your father is in jail, but please do not call me what you just did, if you ever want to talk, you know where I am.” The result, tears began to flow and the 2 of us are on great terms. So please hear my heart and not these cold words. The problem is parents and administrators. Thank you, David
By Lisa
April 28, 2005 03:39 PM | Link to this
A TEACHER:I’am disappointed in your statement you have some what stoop down to your student level!!! Don’t do that!! please you see this why our kids right now don’t respect us adults!Because we tell them to do what I say not what I do!!! and they know that’s not right!!!TEACHER
By David
April 28, 2005 03:43 PM | Link to this
Thank you Lisa…d
By Suwanee
April 28, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this
David, you are too sensitive and you are confusing my challenge to your writing skills with bad behavior. Bad behavior would be if I verbally chastized you only for your opinion, which I have not done. What I have admonished you for is not presenting yourself in a way that would garner respect.
When you repeatedly state your length of teaching service as a means to demand credibility and respect, you also open yourself up to criticism when you do not present yourself in a respectable manner. I you are going to ask that we listen to your views because you are a knowledgeable, respected teacher, then I am suggesting that you write like one. Nothing more.
By ralph wade
April 28, 2005 05:35 PM | Link to this
I have a idea to give hope back to the class room and to the teacher .I am not going to say what wrong ,just away to fix some of it .Couquar school can help with the there is after school-?.WE are a new charter school that will be build in Nevada .We are going to put back some of the hope in our country with our school.We are going back to the ( 3r’s) to stimulating the mind and body&soul.Couquar school pobox6582 pahrump nv.89041
By Cleve
April 29, 2005 07:23 AM | Link to this
I’ve heard it all before, and seen even more. I’ve been there in the classroom to experience what you teachers are experiencing (for two years.) You’ve all had your chance to vent! Now, what are you going to do about the problem???
Take back your classrooms and schools from the few thugs and lazy cowards that manipulate and hide behind the well-meaning but flawed regulations that direct our schools!
By David
April 29, 2005 08:36 AM | Link to this
suwanee…the title of TEACHER should command respect……..not the number of years at the job….you should know that..or are you one of these people who believe adults in supervisory positons over children should “earn” a childs respect?
By DB
April 29, 2005 10:08 AM | Link to this
Let’s get back to the issue. We simply need to restore authority back into schools. Students who misbehave should be kicked out, period. I know, then we’re neglecting our precious children, right? Wrong, there is nothing better than showing children they will be held to certain expectations and that no amount of manipulation will change that. Regardless of any background, children can learn to behave as long as there are appropriate consequences to promote this learning. When their parents disregard this authority or interfere, kick the kids out! We are doing nothing more these days than teaching kids(society) that there are no consequences for our actions, and then we complain about crime and how bad things are. That’s ironic to me. If we start making education a privilege, money will not be wasted because the thugs(black, white, brown, yellow, olive, etc.) will be on their own trying to survive. Some will learn ; some will not. But it is better for all to have them as far away from good kids as possible. Schools these days are not much better than prisons in that they are ruled by gangs and thugs who put terrible fear into good kids. It will get worse before it gets better. But eventually, society will realize an education is needed and schools are again places where you go to learn. I feel sorry for the kids that are in school and want to learn and want to be safe. I will not send my kids to a school where there are 3000 kids with constraint or discipline. We should also start by making schools have no more than 300 students within them. Yes, that may cause the taxpayers more in the beginning, but the benefits would be less spent on prison, court fees, litter pickup, etc. on the other end of life later on. Less money should be spent on making flashy buildings with all this technology only to be abused and vandalized. Money would be less wasted with appropriate students and fiscally responsible spending. Then, for those of you who think education is a right, we can start up a totally separate school system(boot camp) where all the bad kids are immersed in behavioral, moral, and civic education where they earn the PRIVILEGE to attend mainstream school.
That’s it. I’m a 10 year veteran teacher who taught Jeremy Getman(look it up) in a terrible school system up North. It all has to stop!
By David
April 29, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this
DB, i agree with you. Education should be a priviledge. I have a child in my class right now who needs to be sent home. He is one of many. I called his mother on Wednesday..mother came in on Thursday…kid still misbehaves yesterday after mother leaves….I send kid to our principal and informed principal that I had a phone conference and the parent had come in…principal “lectures” student and gives student an extra day with me in ISS!!! This is the 5th time he has been in ISS this year. No suspension yet.
By David
April 29, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this
DB, i looked up getman….says he is rehabilitated now..
By feedup
April 29, 2005 10:55 AM | Link to this
This is so sad. This lady seems like a very dedicated teacher. IT IS THE PARENTS FAULT.
By mechelle
April 29, 2005 10:58 AM | Link to this
Blame these awful PARENTS…..
By David
April 29, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this
There is really no other explanation other than bad parenting…supported by weak administrators.
By fedup
April 29, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this
This is so sad. This lady seems like a very dedicated teacher. IT IS THE PARENTS FAULT.
By David
April 29, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this
i left out one reason…bad parenting, supported by weak administrators and NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
By MRP
April 29, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this
As a 2nd generation product of Clayton County Schools (and currently a teacher), it makes me sick to my stomach when I see what happens there now. My mother works for a Clayton County high school and I really hope she gets out of there soon. It certainly isn’t what it used to be when I was going to school. I commend anyone who works there, even if it’s only for a short time. It’s a sad day when you feel safer at your inner-city school than you would out in the suburbs.
By Lola
April 29, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this
Thank you, David. I appreciate all that teachers do, what they go through and endure, all in the interest of helping our youth become productive members of society. I don’t think it’s right for a teacher to have to take physical safety into consideration when selecting a school at which to teach, but it is unfortunately becoming the norm when you talk about teaching in low-income or minority areas. I believe it’s a result of the ongoing promiscuity and fatherless childbearing that seems to be so prevalent in that community.
When I said to come teach at East Cobb, I was NOT referring to East Cobb Middle School, as was stated by T. Barrett. I was referring to schools IN East Cobb, where the parents are more involved, the budgets are sufficient to provide teachers with what they need in order to do their jobs well, and where worrying about your physical safety is the exception and not the norm. Money may not be able to buy happiness, but it certainly seems to help in determining where there will be violence and the threat of gang activity and where there won’t. Sure, our schools in East Cobb have problems - some kids on drugs, some kids who don’t want to learn, but I can assure you that there are a LOT fewer of our teachers who are leaving because they just “can’t take it anymore”. Come to East Cobb, David. We appreciate you and we’d love to have you as a part of our educational family.
By Teacher, Too
April 29, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this
Thank you for all your comments. This has been an amazing dialogue. In reading through your responses, I have culled out several key ideas: 1. Communication between teachers and parents is imperative.
2. Teachers need to find their voice and advocate on behalf of their students. This is rather risky because of vindictive administators, but it can be done. 3. Parents need to have an understanding of NCLB and advocate for their children. I have no problem being held accountable, but students and parents must also bear responsibility. 4. Discipline must be put back into the classrooms. As someone said, one or two unruly, disruptive students may not interfere with the education of the other children.
Now, how do we implement this? Get involved with your school, mentor children, be a presence, call/write your legislators, attend school board meetings- these are steps that everyone can take, parents, teachers, and students.
Finally, for those who have been so supportive of me, I have accepted a teaching position in Cobb County. But, as every teacher knows, there are problems unique to every school. It comes with the working with children.
By Lola
April 29, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this
Teacher, Too - Let me be the first to congratulate you on your new position in Cobb County! That is wonderful! I hope you find the peace and fulfilment there that you were unable to find at your previous school. It’s obvious that you are going to a valuable addition to any school staff, and I sincerely wish you the nothing but the best! You and David are true credits to your profession.
By David
April 29, 2005 01:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks again Lola, and I did assume you meant East Cobb Schools in general…take care, d
By Shae
April 29, 2005 01:57 PM | Link to this
LISA: stop ranting and raving. Learn to spell and learn to use plural meanings of words. You can tell you’re from the “hood” because you speak it. You want your so called “black kind” to be respected and supported by all races-then speak proper and act proper. You said you are from the hood but do not act it…but yet you sit here and say do instead of does-have instead of has-and you act like you have no sense of grammar. What are you teaching your kids when you yourself cannot speak or communicate properly….Since when did this become a racial factor. There are plenty of “rich”/”middle clas”/poor white kids and latinos/latinas that have just as much of a criminal history and disrespectful attitudes. The race card is getting really old now-a-days…just a thought..
By DB
April 29, 2005 02:06 PM | Link to this
David, yes, they say he’s rehabilitated? Well, he is in a way. He is now rehabilitated because he is sitting in prison(paid for by taxpayers) waiting to get out. In other words, his actions went beyond school, and the real world came in and gave him real consequences, which he should have been given all along in school. Knowing him personally, he was just a kid who needed attention and made a seriously unwise decision. But he did that because he had no idea what kind of consequences would follow thanks to our public system of uneducation. In other words, our system instills in our kids that we need not to worry about possible future consequences or our actions.
Thanks. DB
By LISA MURPHY
April 29, 2005 02:22 PM | Link to this
I mean really Shae it does no good to try to correct me with a red pen!!! I mean I SPELL well enough to collect a check from 30,000 to 50,000 every 3 months.I wish you would put your energy on the kids and not on someone who have been out of school for 20yrs.I’am a taxpayer, a homeowner and a voter.Now what you don’t realize, is that your putting all your energy on me a productive citzen when you should be coming up with solution to our kids problem, not my short coming!!!You see It’s adult like you that children inmitate!!! The Rudeness The Back Bitting and most of all Condemn people for not being such a pefect speller like you!!!SO Mrs Shae continue to dot your I’S AND DON’T FORGET TO CROSS YOUR T’S.I know several organization that will be happy to help you realize we are have short coming there call CHURCH!!! AND TO FOLLOW UP ON THE INFORMATION READ YOUR BIBLE!!! MRS PERFECT!!!!
By LISA
April 29, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this
Shae: Shae what is proper!!! you know we have a lot of correct spelling kids as well as adults like you!!! But guess what, with a bad character like I see you have they are filling up the prison.Shae don’t waste your time on me.The insult they don’t hurt me I have thick skin.This is an outlet for me and you to express how we feel about the topic at hand.Now you know I don’t know what race you are and I really don’t care!!!for the God I serve created us all!!! But I must say you need to stop trying to assume everyone from the hood is this or that.Your enviroment have nothing to do with how you talk.Shae I must say as adult I’am a little disappointed in you and the only thing I can say:I’ll be praying for you.Peace Be Unto You My Sister!!!
By David
April 29, 2005 02:42 PM | Link to this
DB, it is very obvious that we are doing the children in public education a diservice…at least in my school. These kids leave here not knowing what a consequence is. That is probably why I have had 3 of my past students convicted for murder. Every week I open the local newspaper. I usually see at least 2 former students in the crime report that the local police dept. prints twice a week.
By LATeacher
April 29, 2005 02:54 PM | Link to this
I am a high school teacher. A week or so ago, a student threw an object, which hit me in the middle of my back. I was not injured, but it was thrown hard enough to hurt briefly. At the time, I was working one-on-one with a student. All the students had an assignment to complete, and I was making my way around the room, holding a brief one-on-one conference with each student. The student who threw the object was obviously behind me. What was the reaction of the class: laughter! Of course, no one will tell who threw the object.
I informed my principal of the incident and he said that he could do nothing until we are certain we know the name of the guilty student. Now, in his defense, the principal, indeed all the administrators at this high school, have acted decisively when I am able to identify clearly a guilty party. However, I am hurt and saddened that neither the principal nor any other administrator has come to this particular classroom to address the students on the seriousness of the offense and to encourage the students to turn in the culprit anonymously. Why haven’t the administrators let these students know that this behavior will not be tolerated?
I am so incensed at this lack of overt support that I have decided to report this incident to the police officer assigned full-time to our school. I want the incident investigated—-officially. We may never discover the identity of the guilty party, but if a “big deal” is not made of this incident, it will happen again and again.
Also, as I have read the entries to this blog from teacher after teacher reporting the lack of respect and discipline they experience daily from their students, I have actually become encouraged. There is comfort, a somewhat sick comfort, in realizing I am not the only teacher who faces this behavior day in and day out. At my school, I feel I am the only teacher complaining about student behavior. The other teachers give lip service to upholding the standards of behavior codified in the student handbook.
I too have had experiences with parents of my students that leave me shaking my head at the lack of respect they have for me as a professional. Not all parents, of course, but the students with whom I have the most problems have parents who blindly defend their child or offer excuses based on the problems the parents themselves have. I have even had one parent tell me that her daughter is in high school now, and she, the parent, expects her daughter to manage her own life now. Mom still has younger children to raise. She raised her daughter all those years before high school, just as she had this daughter’s older siblings. She left them all to their own devices when they entered the ninth grade. She has such a busy, stressful life that she expects them to be able to do for themselves in order to give her a break and more time to raise the younger children. She says teenagers want to distance themselves from their parents at this age anyway. In my classroom, her daughter will do anything to have the attention of the class; she seems to need the attention. I wonder why?
By David
April 29, 2005 03:17 PM | Link to this
LATeacher, let me know the results of your investigation with the campus police. Several years ago, I had a kid smash oranges all over my walls and posters as I monitored the hall between class change. I did not see this kid do it but had several student witnesses. The principal told me the exact same thing he told you. That unless I actually saw the kid, nothing could be done. The kid was on probation. I took it upon myself to call juvenile and his probation officer. Would you believe the administration called me in and crawled me for doing that!!!I guess it made them look bad…
By Swan
April 29, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this
David, you nailed it right on the head. Many administrators will do ANYTHING to avoid deaing with the juvenile courts or the police because they don’t want the publicity. They don’t want it go on their State Report Card so they don’t report it. I see that plainly in the situation with my friend’s niece (by the way, I’m pretty sure she went to the cops on her own and filed a report). I don’t want to paint all administrators with a bad brush but this is happening.
Do they not understand that unless you deal with a problem head on, it will only fester and get worse? That the students will see there are no consequences for their poor behavior so they can do whatever they want?
By David
May 2, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this
many administrators swan are just concerned with numbers, paperwork, making deadlines, and oh yes..the dreaded test scores…yeah they don’t understand that we are all here for the kids, and sometimes a little tough love needs to be involved…i have always wondered how many kids actually slip through the cracks because of this attitude
By BPositive
May 4, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this
Lisa, your environment does in fact have something to do with the way you talk. This is why people raised around those who speak with a certain accent (Southern, British, etc.) do speak the way they do. You can choose not to speak the way you were raised. Take it from a hood-raised black girl like myself who got an education.