"I feel clean"

Remember when I was talking about how my kids were being turds and picking on the SPED kids?  Well yesterday they apologized.  They apologized to the teacher and the kids.  After it was said and done one kid said he felt clean.  That wasn't what I was going for but it's a start.

The fire alarm went off today during 1st period.  When it went off so did the air.  It knocked the air out completely on my hall.  It was so stinkin' hot.  My kids and I lasted all of 5 minutes.  We packed up and moved to cooler ground.  We weren't going to make it, especially with 32 bodies in the room.

My 7th period had to learn a lesson in tolerance today.  I don't understand why kids feel like they have to pick on SPED kids.  There's a little girl in my 7th period who thinks everybody in that class is her best friend.  The other kids normally do well with her but today they showed their irritation with her.  I had her "sent" to the office so I could talk to the class about their behavior.  Most of them adjusted their attitudes but there were 2 girls that just continued to be rude.  They just did it where Susie (not her real name) couldn't hear.  The bell rang before I could tell them what I really thought about them and their nasty attitudes.  They'll have a major adjustment by the end of class Thursday.

Volleyball practice is kicking my butt! I think I'm more tired than the girls.  Man!  We have tough schedule this week but we'll do fine.  They got that 1 win under their belt so they have a little extra confidence. 

Have I mentioned the THREE DAY WEEKEND that's coming up? Well, there's a THREE DAY WEEKEND coming up.  Who's excited? ME!  I will not think about school.  I will not grade papers. I will not do lesson plans.  I WILL enjoy my THREE DAY WEEKEND.

"There go Miss Pretty Griffin"

Over the weekend I ran into two of my kids' dad.  I usually run from the parents when I see them in public because I want a few minutes to not think about school.  Anyway, this parent snuck up on me.  He called my name and I stopped to be cordial.  He asked how his son was doing, blah, blah, blah.  You know, the usual parent questions.  This is how the end of the conversation went.

Parent: "When you pulled in I was like there go Miss Pretty Griffin."
Me: *uncomfortable laugh* *blank stare*
Parent:  "I mean, that's what the kids say"
Me:  "Yeah, I gotta go."
Parent:  "If you have any problems out of my son let me know."
Me (walking away) "Yea, I got it."

I mean seriously? Who hits on their kids' teacher?  That's just creepy...

Last week I received an email from a parent.  Her son is one of my SPED kids and she just wanted to touch base with me.  She was concerned because he has a SPED ruling but doesn't have a SPED or tutorial class.  She wanted to try him out in a regular classroom because she felt like he could handle it and succeed with just a little help.  She also wanted to see what he could do on his own.  I love parents like that.  They let their kids try first then if they can't they get them some help.  I don't like the kids who use their SPED ruling as a crutch.  That's so not fair for that child.  Anyway, I had already talked to the kid, his basketball coach, and one of the SPED teachers about him and what extra help we could give him and we came up with a plan.  Mom was happy with the plan and so was the kid.  Well, apparently during this process they changed the kid's schedule and moved him out of my class.  I didn't know it because I was using an old roster.  Anyhoo, this upset him greatly as you can imagine.  He decided to take matters into his own hands.  He refused to go to the other English teacher's class.  His momma had to call the school and ask that he be put back in my class.  When she told me I smiled a little.  It made me feel good knowing that he wanted to stay with me for whatever reason.  All the other kids left with no argument.  LOL.  Seriously, this kid has latched on to me and his basketball coach.  It's cool with me.  Who knows what seed I'm supposed to sow into his life.

I got evaluated twice today.  I'm like what the heck?!  That's three evaluations in two school days.  It's all good.  I'm doing my job. My kids didn't feel like acting today during my evaluations.  They were their normal selves.  I mind but I don't.  It makes for an interesting evaluation. 

THREE DAY WEEKEND!!!  That is all.

Pep Rally Day

Today was pep rally day and it actually went well.  The kids behaved perfectly.  We changed the format this year and I think the kids liked it.  I did.  The football team must have liked it too because they won their game tonight.  Woop!  Next pep rally a few of the other teachers as well as myself are supposed to do a cheer.  We'll see how that goes...  I have a feeling that lots of Bengay and Advil will be needed afterwards. LOL

My 5th period class had to learn a life lesson today.  It was brought to my attention that they were making fun of the special ed kids that ate lunch at the tables close to my class.  Apparently it had gotten so bad that the SPED kids didn't want to come eat lunch in the cafeteria.  I was furious when I found out about this.  When we got back to class I gave them a little talk. I explained to them that the majority of them had things wrong with them that would classify them for special ed,  things like ADD, ADHD, any emotional problems, deafness in one or both ears, glasses, trouble reading and comprehending, but their parents felt they could succeed without the extra services.  I went through the list and had them raise their hand if they had any of the things listed above.  I also explained to them that gifted kids are considered SPED.  Anything that's above or below the norm is SPED.  Once I explained that to them they started to drop their heads.  I asked them how would they feel if someone made fun of them for having acne, being fat, having short hair, stuttering, being too dark, being too white.  At the end of the talk they were whispering amongst themselves and I overheard a few kids saying they felt bad.  I asked one kid what he felt bad about and he said he felt bad for laughing at the jokes others were saying and for laughing at the SPED kids.  Monday, my whole class will be apologizing to them during lunch.  I told them if they didn't mean it then don't do it.  I wouldn't be mad.  I'd be more upset if they did it only because I said something about it.  Hopefully, they've learned that you just can't go around making fun of people for things they can't help.  Now if they have boogers or something like that then that's different.  People can help boogers. 

I got my first evaluation today.  I think it went fairly well.  My kids were good and they participated in the lesson.  I don't know what the principal said yet but I'm sure it's good.  I need my job so I'm gonna work hard!  Shoot.  I'm not an "ungrateful babysitter" who just "draws a paycheck."  I actually enjoy what I do.  I love being a teacher.  I'd have to to keep doing it because it definitely ain't the pay.  I just wish all the people who think negatively about teachers could just come sit in my class for part of the day.  That'd show them half of what I go through.  That won't include the contact with parents, the lesson plans, the grading of papers, the volleyball practices, the bus training, the football/basketball duties, the morning duties, professional developments, and various other trainings.  All of that takes place AFTER school is out.  So when all of you non teachers get off at 5 or 6 and forget about work, I'll be thinking of new and better ways to educate your child.  Or I'll be at the football/basketball game cheering on your child while you sit at home.  Or I'll be sitting at a professional development or a special training getting ideas on how to help your child.  Or I'll be on the phone with you trying to get your support and help so I can effectively teach your child.  From August to May we have joint custody of your child.  Do your part to help and our children can be successful and reach their full potential.  *gets off soapbox*

Deep Doo-Doo

As you all know I was absent from school on Monday and Tuesday.  I left strict instructions for my kids to behave themselves and to act like they had some freakin' sense.  Did they do that? NOOOOOOOOOOOO.  They decided to act like they were raised by wild polar bears.  Naturally I was upset with them for acting like that.  They already knew that I was going to blow a gasket when I got back so they sucked up yesterday and today.  It didn't save them.  By the end of each class, except my repeater class, all the kids had apologized and promised they'd do better.  I believe most of them.  The rest... They're going to have to show me.  My 3rd period was the funniest.  They came in trying to explain what happened.  They were honest about everything that happened.  I mean they told EVERYTHING.  That's why I like that group of kids.  They didn't want me mad or disappointed in them so they did what they knew to fix it.  It worked:)  I think I'm getting soft... 

I had to break down and write some of my 9th grade pookies some detentions yesterday and today.  It hurt my heart.  Ok, not really.  They were so shocked that I gave them the detention.  One kid made the comment that he always gets away with what he wants.  I told him that didn't work in Room 300.  He begged me to take the detentions away.  It didn't work.  Hopefully he has learned his lesson and will be quiet tomorrow.

One of my repeaters was very talkative today.  Usually he sits in the back of the room and sleeps.  Today he wanted to sit by my desk so he could talk to me.  I'll never deny a child a chance to talk to me, especially if it's a child who never talks.  So I let him sit at the table closest to my desk once I got everybody else started on their assignments.  He told me a lot about him without saying much.  It was almost like he wanted to tell me something but he didn't want to just spill it.  He'd pause periodically to make sure I was keeping up with what he was trying to tell me.  I now understand why he is the way he is.  No one has ever challenged him to do better nor has anyone ever told him he could do better.  After our conversation, he went back to his seat but he did something different.  He did his work instead of sleeping.  That made me happy. 

Tomorrow is pep rally day.  Everybody please pray for us! I mean get on your face and pray.  LOL. It's not that bad but I do need make sure I get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast so I'll have some energy.  Good night!

We got spirit yes we do! We got spirit how 'bout you?

This picture reminded me of my volleyball girls.  The team hasn't been good in several years.  If I'm not mistaken, they haven't won a game in about 8 or so years.  They didn't let that keep them from trying.  They fought with the tenacity of a bulldog and worked hard all summer.  They've sweated, passed out, ran til they threw up, bumped, set, and spiked.  They've practiced hard.  Tonight it all paid off.  They won their 1st game 3 games to none.  They were so excited!  I'm so proud of my girls because I know they've worked hard and wanted it so bad.  I won't even comment on the rest the day. I'll save it for tomorrow.

La-a

Today, during our Language Arts work session, the topic of names came up.  As most you know there are some pretty interesting names out there.  The name above is pronounced La-dash-a.  The dash is not silent.  I'm sure a lot of you have seen that email that went around about that.  That's just too much.  Parents-to-be, please be careful what you name your children because they are labeled according to their name.  I know y'all want to be unique and give them a name that no one else has but naming them something with 6 syllables with a Q, U, Z, a -La, or -iqua and 2 or 3 vowels is doing the most.  I can imagine how those poor preschool and kindergarten teachers feel trying to help the kids learn how to write their names.  I'm glad we have access to our rosters early so I can practice the pronunciations of my kids' names.  They're real sensitive when you mispronounce their names.  I've given so many of my kids nicknames this year because I can't say their names.  That's just too much. 

I really enjoyed going to this Language Arts thing because I got to do some planning with the 8th grade teachers at the middle school and the 2 other 9th grade English teachers in the district.  I also got to swap stories, get important information on the kids I have now, and basically fellowship with people who are on the same page as I am.  That was cool. 

Tomorrow I'm going back to my classroom.  For the sake of my kids I hope there's a nice, happy note on my desk instead of a bad one.  I snuck back to my room yesterday to see what they were doing and they were so freakin' loud! I went in the room and asked them what their problems were.  The sub apparently thought this was acceptable behavior because she wasn't saying a word.  I was a tad bit upset.  So tomorrow 7th period will definitely be punished.  They know better than to act like that. 

As always click on some ads and donate/adopt my classroom!  Oh yeah! Come support the volleyball team tomorrow as we play our 1st district game at home.  Games start at 5.

Teamwork on three!

We had our 1st volleyball game today and my girls played well.  We lost the match 3-1 but they didn't give up easy.  They fought hard and for that I'm proud.  If you saw us play last year you would have been proud too.  LOL.  They look so much better.  I'm looking forward to this season!  We have our 1st district game Wednesday so if you're free Wednesday at 5, come cheer us on!

I didn't go to school today because I was in a meeting with a Central Office person.  I forgot her title.  Anyway, we had to work on the Language Arts Framework and fix it up to where it was a little easier to get the information needed to teach English.  I had no idea some of that stuff was even on there.  Of course I've read it but like I said a lot of that stuff was difficult to find or was unclear.  It's gonna be nice to have everything in one place.

While at the meeting, I had the chance to meet some of the other English and reading teachrs in the district.  We were grouped according to grade and subject so I was with the 9th grade teachers (duh).  One of them was telling us about the day she went over compound nouns.  One of her kids told her director was a compound noun.  The teacher was trying to explain to the student that it wasn't.  The student argued with her saying that it was 2 words.  Y'all ready for this? DIRECT-OR.  LOL!!!  She was right when she said it was 2 words but a compound noun is 2 or more NOUNS.  Poor thing...  When the teacher told me I couldn't even laugh.  I just wanted to go find that child and give her a hug.

That's it for today.  I'm tired.  The gym we played in today didn't have a lick of air conditioning.  Yes I said a lick of.  It was cooler outside.  I have never sweated so hard standing still.  I drank 3 bottles of water by the second game.  My girls went through a case of water and a case of Gatorade.  It was ridiculously hot.  They ought to be ashamed making those girls suffer like that.  Dern gym had its own heat advisory going on.  LOL.
It was HOT!  Ok, I'm leaving for real now.  Remember to click on some ads and adopt my class!

"Teaching is the choicest of professions because everybody who is anybody was taught how to be somebody by a teacher."

How true this quote is.  Teachers are the ones who help shape and mold the future leaders of tomorrow.  We encourage them and cheer for them as youngsters.  We guide them and teach them life lessons.  We wipe tears of frustration and soothe hurt egos.  We're super heroes!  We may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding train but we can take dreams and help make them realities.  We can take the worst student and turn him into a model citizen in 9 months.  We teach more than reading, writing, math, and science.  We teach responsibility, morality, honesty, and integrity.  We earn the trust and respect of 150 (or more) simultaneously.  We deal with parents, principals, government officials, and others with style and grace.  We are TEACHERS.  People often ask me why did I become a teacher.  The pay sucks, kids are bad, and education is going down the drain.  My answer... I love teaching! Teachers have 1 of the hardest jobs in the world and it takes a special person to do it.  It is not for the weak hearted.  We may not get paid that much monetarily but seeing one of your students succeed and doing something great is far more rewarding because you know you made a difference in that child's life.  That's why I teach.

Myrtle the Ghost

I feel like I need to clarify some things about me and my teaching style and how things run in my classroom.  I think some people are forming negative opinions about what I do in my classroom.  I don't like a totally quiet classroom.  While I'm teaching, of course I want the kids quiet and attentive.  However, I understand that kids have short attention spans so I break my class up into segments.  We take commercial breaks whenever I see the kids getting restless.  Also they are allowed to whisper while they do worksheets or other seat work as long as they don't get loud and they are working more than they are talking.  Of course they get loud and distracted but I correct the behavior and we move on.  I do teach.  That's for all you non teachers that know everything about education.

Anywoo, Myrtle the Ghost.  Today during 4th period while we were practicing our context clues and expanding our vocabulary, they started to get a little loud.  Before I could correct their behavior one of the girls handled it for me.
Kid: "Y'all better be quiet! Y'all remember what happened in Mrs. So and So's class last year!"
Kid 2: "Oh yeah! I remember that!
Me (thoroughly confused): "What are y'all talking about?"
Kid 1: "Man there was a ghost at the middle school and she only showed up when we got too loud. I 'member one time we got too loud and the printer started shooting out paper at us!"
Me: "Really guys?"
Kid 1: "Yeah Ms. G! I was so scared! Her name is Myrtle. She died under the school."
Me: "How she die under the school?"
Kid 1: "Ion know! She just did! That's where she come from. They put the school on top of her!"
Kid 2: "That's not what happened.  She died and they built the school on top of her grave."
Me: "Finish your worksheet."

This year I only have 1 repeater class as opposed to the 2 I had last year.  I teach those classes a little different than my for real for real 9th graders.  Today we had a little talk about goals and life as we often do. Everybody wants to be a rapper or a dope boy.  That's as far as most of their visions go.  I wanted them to understand that there is more to life than being a rapper and that the world doesn't necessarily have a positive view of rappers and dopeboys.  In order to do that I needed a little help so I turned to Youtube.  I showed them the "Shortbus Shawty" video.  As they watched it they realized that people don't look at the people they're aiming to be like in a positive light.  We didn't get to finish our discussion because it was time to go but hopefully they'll rethink their life goals.

I'm worn slap out. My body hasn't adjusted to me being at school all day then having a 2 hour volleyball practice.  Come on teacher body! Get here quickly!

Remember to click on the ads and check out www.adoptaclassroom.org.  See y'all Monday!

Proverbs 23:13

So apparently one of the girls I cut from the volleyball team is upset with me.  She called me from a blocked number and called me a bitch.  That's twice today that I've been cursed at by a CHILD.  When did it become ok to swear at an adult?  What happened to parents acting out Proverbs 23:13?  For those that don't know it says, "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die." (KJV)  In other words BEAT YOUR KID!  Tear him/her up! Put the smackdown on him/her! How can you fix your mouth to call a grown person a bitch? I mean really?  Anywho, I just had to come back and share that little experience.

"I spelled my name wrong"

Tonight the seniors had their first event to get their senior year rolling.  They got to sign the wall.  This is a pretty big deal.  Your name goes on the wall in the cafeteria and it stays there for 10 years.  It's important to sign your name with some pizzazz and creativity.  What you don't want to do is spell your name wrong.  Too bad nobody told one of my volleyball girls that.  She signed her name with such confidence... It was confidently WRONG!  How do you misspell your own name?!  She tried to fix it but she made it worse.  For the next 10 years everybody is going to see that and know that she couldn't spell her name.

I've been blogging so much about my kids that I forgot to talk about my volleyball girls.  Our first game is Monday and I'm a little nervous.  This is my 3rd year coaching but my 1st coaching by myself.  (insert nervous yell).  I have a pretty good group of athletes so we'll be fine. 

After practice the boys were having basketball try outs.  There was a kid ,who was obviously mad that he didn't make the team, standing outside the gym just cussing and whatnot.  Me being the teacher that I am corrected him, telling him to watch his language.  He obviously didn't know that I was a teacher and he proceeded to say bad words.  I gave him the benefit of the doubt and identified myself as an adult.  He was obviously raised by wild boars because me being an adult asking him to watch his language didn't phase him.  He almost made that Jacktown Ju come out of me.  Another teacher was within viewing distance from us and he said when he saw my hand go on my hip and my finger go in the air he knew he should probably come rescue the kid.  After he cussed at the coach and whoever else he was mad at, he left.  I don't know what crawled up his butt and died but he needs to handle that.  As my "favorite" principal would say, "I don't play with children. I raise them."

There was a serious love connection going on in Homeroom today.  Now before some of you non teachers start wondering and talking let me tell the story.  Everybody in my homeroom came over from the middle school together with the exception of 2 or 3.  As usual all the guys migrate to the new girl and girls to the new guy, especially if they're attractive, a bad boy, or a bad girl.  This morning was no different.  I'm noticing 2 kids nitpicking at each other so I sit back to observe.  They're just nagging each other about silly stuff. "Why you looking at me?" "Why you looking at me to know I'm looking at you?" That kind of stuff.  After I saw enough I interjected.  I asked them if they liked each other.  OMG, you would have thought that I had asked them both to eat turds or something.  They then proceeded to tell their side of the story. His story in a nutshell was that he was trying to get to know her because she was new but she was mean and he didn't like her.  She said he always talks to her, asking if she has a boyfriend, and trying to walk her to class.  Both of them giggled the entire time.  The class voted and we decided that they liked each other and made bets that they'd "go together" by January.  We'll see what they do tomorrow.

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"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission"

When I read this quote I immediately thought about my repeaters, particularly 3 of my guys.  Today, I had them to do a vocabulary puzzle then write 15 sentences with the words.  They wouldn't even try.  They kept saying, "I can't do this," or "This is too hard," or "I'm dumb. I can't do stuff like this."  It frustrated me a little because I knew they could do it if they just tried.  Then I remembered that it wasn't necessarily their fault that they thought that way about themselves.  Somewhere along the way someone told those 3 boys that they were stupid or dumb or that they couldn't do simple things.  They've been labeled SPED (special education) and they lean on that ruling as a crutch.  Well, that won't fly in Room 300.  I don't believe in the use of crutches unless your leg is broken.  Every time I see them I'm going to tell them that they are smart and that they can do it.  I started on the 1st day of school.  They don't fully believe me yet but by the end of the year, they'll believe they can do anything!  There will be no failing on my watch!

Due to the abundance of kids at the school we've been having to do some balancing of classes.  Some of my classes were small while others were huge.  Now everything is almost even.  Because of this I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. "I'm a thug" again.  Guess what he announced to the class when he came in... You guessed it! "I'm a thug." Poor kid probably can't even spell thug. 

My 3rd and 4th period classes are my best classes so far.  Eventually they'll all be my best classes.  My 3rd and 4th period classes will be the 2 that will be neck and neck for the pizza party at the end of the semester.  They work hard and they have fun doing it.  6th period is getting there.  I had to tweak some seats today and that seemed to help.  My 5th and 7th periods are my 2 largest classes with 31 kids.  I'm going to have to lay on my face and pray for those classes because getting on my knees praying ain't working! LOL.  They'll be fine sooner or later... Preferably sooner.

One of my former students saw me in the hallway today.  She was excited to see me.
Kid: "Oh my gosh Miss Griffin! I been looking for you since school started!"
Me: "Well, did you come by my room?"
Kid: "Uuuhhh no... Why would I do that?"
Me:  "Because that's where I'll always be. Duh!"
Kid: "Oh."

I want to thank my preschool classmate for that information on Asperger's.  I really appreciate it!  Also thanks to Linda for donating to my classroom.  You're awesome!  If you want to donate/adopt my classroom go to www.adoptaclassroom.org and search for Kristin Griffin.  Anything you do/give will be greatly appreciated by Room 300!:)

"Miss G, I'm a thug"

Today, while working on a vocabulary puzzle, one of my kids decided he needed to tell me that he was a thug. 
Kid: "Miss G, I'm a thug."
Me: "Congratulations! Would you like a cookie?"
Kid: "Thugs don't eat cookies!"
Me: *eye roll*

Later during class, right before the pop quiz, the same kid told me that thugs don't take tests. I guess that means he's going to be a repeating thug.  The kid weighs at most 110 pounds. I don't know how much thuggin' he's doing being that small. 

One thing that I love about 9th graders is that they're still trying to impress the teacher.  Well most of them are.  They ask questions to make it appear that they're listening, they engage in conversations and lessons, they volunteer to answer questions and pass out papers.  Sometimes it doesn't always work, especially when the kid really isn't listening to what's being said.

Teacher: "When I was growing up my dad travelled with some famous music artists.  I remember a particular time when my dad didn't go.  My mom was pregnant with my little sister and was having complications.  My dad was called up to go on tour that evening.  He didn't go because he wanted to be with my mom in case something happened.  Well, the next day the plane crashed and everybody died.  We always say that my sister saved my dad's life because had he gone he probably would have been killed."
Kid:  "So, are you the oldest?"
Rest of class: "Duh!"

Poor kid was just trying to impress the teacher by listening to his story. 

I love my 3rd period class.  It's one of my smaller classes and they work hard.  They're just enough silly for it to not be boring but enough good work ethic to cut the silly off when it's work time.  I love it!  They worked so hard today that we didn't notice that it was time for the bell and we had to rush and pack up.  They are a teacher's dream:)

My 7th period class is the exact opposite.  Well not the exact but pretty close.  It's my biggest class with whopping 32 students.  That's a decrease from 35.  Everybody in that class likes to talk.  They ALWAYS have something to say.  ALWAYS!  If I'm telling them to be quiet, they want to explain why they're talking. If I ask who watches a certain show, they want to tell about their favorite episode.  They're my long-winded bunch.  They're also going to be my working all the time don't ever get a free moment bunch.  They have until Friday to get the "I'm new to high school" jitters out or I'm wrecking shop.  There will be lots of detentions and phone calls home. 

Question for my teachers or anybody who has dealt with this:  I have a kid with Asperger's Syndrome.  I have very little knowledge on this.  I understand what it is I think but I need a little advice on how to make this child feel comfortable in my room.  If you have any advice or information let me know! Thanks!

"You got 10 toes?"

Today, during a random conversation with my repeaters, the topic of fingers and toes came up.
Kid 1: "That's why you got 6 toes."
Me (trying to diffuse the situation): "So what? I have 10 toes."
Kid 2 (thoroughly shocked, appalled, and confused): "You got 10 toes???? What?"
Me: *blank stare*

I wish I could make this stuff up.  The second week of school started pretty smoothly.  There were only a few lost 9th graders but for the most part everybody made it to their classes on time.  My 9th graders were pretty calm today.  I guess they're still warming up.

As I mentioned in my previous post I had my kids write where they imagined themselves in 10 years and what I could do to help them.... Yeah... Let's just say everybody wants to be a rapper or a sports star.  They all want me to pass them.  That would help them.  Sigh...  I also had them write their interests.  Some of those are silly. Below are a few examples. Oh and this is their spelling, not mine.

What do you imagine yourself doing 10 from now?
"automobille work and money"
"Nouhing"
"National Football League"
"In the NFL giving shout outs to my loved ones"
"Living a happy, Christian life"
"Being a pedertrician"
"lawyer or doctor with 2 cars and a condo"
"Be a millionaire"
"Being secessful makeing money"
"Playing in the NBA for the bucks"
"Nun much being the same"
"At a job"
"Fiances"
"Being a millionaire with a mansion and a lambo"
"being called one of the best wide recievers in the NFL"
"Being a dental hygientist or a OBGYN"
"None sittin up countin stacks"
"Cowboy"

Is there anything I can do to help you achieve this goal?
"free grades"
"nun but teach"
"Don't give me a bad grade so I can play"
"Being the best teacher without the bad attitude"
"Help me become smarter"
"You can give me a million dollars, but I know you not stupid."
"Pray for me!"
"Be my wife and motovation"
"Give me some money"
"Buy me a horse"
"I do not see myself from ten years now"

What are your interests?
"Girls and school"
"Gettin money"

If this is the future, I don't want to go! LOL. I've got my work cut out for me this year but I love a good challenge. Pray for me!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This blog is dedicated to a few of my favorite people in the world... My students! They are the funniest, most interesting people in the world. I talk about them so much on Facebook and Twitter that I decided to share the joy of being a teacher with the world. I guess I'll start by telling you a little about me and my journey to teacher-dom.

When I went off to college my plans were to be a Physical Therapist and have my own clinic. Teaching was the ABSOLUTE last thing on my mind. Well... obviously I wasn't smart enough to do that and my advisor told me I was never going to get in physical therapy school. He then asked me if I ever considered teaching. I replied, "heck no! I don't like kids!" Seven years later, I'm starting my 5th year as a 9th grade English teacher and I'm loving every minute of it.

This week marked the first week of school for us. As expected there were tons of lost little ninth graders. Poor things were so confused and didn't know where to go. One kid broke down in tears because she couldn't find her homeroom class and another had to go home sick. They just weren't ready for high school. Once the day got started, things calmed down.

Here are a few highlights of the first week:

On Meet the Teacher Day I got a chance to meet some of my students and their parents. One kid walked in and introduced himself. He looked like a kid I taught in the past so I asked if he had an older sibling that went to the school. He quickly said, "So and so is my brother and I'm nothing like him." LOL. It sucks when the older sibling is so bad that it screws things up for the younger ones.

Two of my male students, in two different classes, thought it'd be funny to give me their phone numbers. Both of them got the sexual harrassment speech out the school handbook and I got some serious apologies. Well, the first kid apologized. The second kid claims he misunderstood what I meant when I said tell me about any medical/health issues that may affect your learning in my class. Yeah that sounds just like give me your phone number...

I asked my students what do they imagine themselves doing 10 years from now and how can I help them achieve their goals. One kid wrote I could be his wife and motivate him to succeed. He also got the aforementioned sexual harrassment speech and he wrote a new goal and way I could help him.


Today I learned that my students weren't too good at geography. The following conversation took place today in class:
Me: "Have any of you been out of the country?"
Three kids raise their hands.
Student 1: "Hawaii"
Me: *blank stare*
Student 2: "Nevada"
Me: "I said out of the country. Not state."
Students 1 & 2: "But those are out the country."
Me: "Never mind"

I hope that you enjoy reading my blog and that my kids provide you with a good laugh to brighten your day!