The Squeaky Wheel

In my years as teacher I've dealt with some tough parents. Mostly, they just want what's right for their child and the balance is finding a way to address their needs while sticking to my own practices. It is very difficult for me to be a parent in parent teacher conferences, however. I enter with guns blazing and can be downright mean. Sadly, though, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. In short, that behavior can reap rewards.

Case in point. Two years ago Tyler had a teacher for math who was quite disorganized. The following year she was no longer teaching her own class because there was, so the rumors went, some question as to her certification. Further, many parents had serious concerns about her as a teacher: she lacked organization, didn't communicate well, didn't hold the bar high enough for those who needed it. So, imagine my dismay when I learned that Tyler was assigned to her class for 5th grade. I wrote a letter to the principal and superintendent of schools. Basically, I put her on notice and said if my child was to be in her class, I would scrutinize every single thing she did.

I kept my promise. NOw, after a rough parent teacher conference, Tyler has been moved into the class with the strongest writing teacher.

But who was the squeaky wheel?

The assistant principal called last night to find out how my conference went. She must have been given a heads up as to my displeasure. With me out of her way, the teacher with the questionable track record may continue the year without further fear of the crazy mom with time to write letters looking too closely at what is happening inside the classroom.

My job is to look out for my child. I do that with a fierceness that's scary. But if I were more calm and easy going (which I truly wish I were) would I have gotten my child out of that writing class?

The Good Old Days

Yesterday I walked with my friend Joni. We discussed, among many other things, how simple things were back in the days when we didn't have computers (personal ones that had internet) and cell phones. Things seemed more genuine. And, in this economy, is sure was cheaper!! I find myself missing the old days.

On snowy days, kids would stop by to see if we needed our paths or driveway shoveled.

Young kids could get a job before the age of 14 by delivering newspapers.

Families had dinner together.

People still wrote letters.

HOuses sold for what they were worth.

It seemed that more people lived within their means.

These days, I see efforts to get back to grass roots. More people are hand-making gifts. It's cool to knit. The library seems more active than ever before. No one seems too willing to spend five bucks on a cup of joe.

I'd like to see small communities come back. I live in a place where there are no shops. Available retail is used by nail salons and laudromats. YOu know what that says about my community...poor, poor, poor. When I first moved here we had a bakery, two clothing shops, a shoe store, gifts shops, a florist that sold flats of flowers for outdoor planting, hardware stores owned and operated by its owner.

I cannot change the world, but I can slowly go back in my own life. I don't need much. I do, however, need to raise my son to realize that he doesn't need much either. Otherwise, he'll be wishing for the old days of today. Yikes!!

The second book

Several years ago my sister-in-law highly recommended I read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I did and fully enjoyed it. In fact, I recommended it to many friends who also liked the book. I used the early pages in my 8th grade classroom as an example of how to write a "hook" to grab a reader's attention. In short, the book was worth my time in many ways.

Now that I am a Barnes and Noble "member" (what took me so long, I don't know), I receive emails on a weekly basis highlighting new books and events at the store. Today I learned that Jeannette Walls has another book. I wonder if it'll be as good as the first. Sometimes the second book lacks the shine and pure cleverness of the first.

First Day of School

I remember feeling excited about the first day of school. Both when I was a student and as a teacher the prospect of a new year and a new attitude made me feel hopeful. Today is Tyler's first day of school and while he is excited, I feel sad. I wish I had more time with him -- the summer passed far too quickly. I feel deflated because I am not experiencing a first day. I don't feel good about not teaching. I keep hoping I'll get a phone call from my old school asking me to come back because one of their teachers didn't show up or gave last minute notice. I don't really know what to do to feel better about the first day of school. Do I need to feel like this every year???

Books

I just finished reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and loved it! It was recommended to me several years ago by one of my student's parents. I bought the book immediately, but it sat on the shelf for years. Lately I have come across the title on recommendation lists -- you know, if you like this book then you'll like this other book. Anyway, I finally got the hint and got reading.

Basically, it's a science fiction book for people who do not necessarily like science fiction. The main character, Thursday Next, works for LiteraTec a Special Ops organization in England. Her job in this book is to track down the person responsible for stealing original manuscripts and altering the outcome of the book. To enjoy this book one needs to allow a certain leap of faith. There is time travel, the ability to enter and become part of literature, and the ability of characters from books to enter our world. In short, it's fantastic! Go get a copy from the library and enjoy!

A Teacher Shortage?

Julia and I were talking the other day and she brought up some interesting points about teaching.

First, she has a friend whose sister is a part of Teach for America. She is supposed to have a job in the city this fall, but there are problems since a hiring freeze was put into place. (Only teachers in the system can get hired unless the position is in a charter school.) so, her friend's sister doesn't really know what is going on. Since Julia is also going into teaching, though from a traditional path, she wondered if Teach for America is good for anyone but itself.

Lately, Teach for America is hiring only students from Ivy league schools. I don't have a problem with well educated teachers, but what makes a social studies teacher from Princeton better than a social studies teacher from New Paltz? Furthermore, the students following the traditional path are being schooled in the subject matter as well as best practices for teaching students. They are training in schools. they are spending a portion of their time studying what makes kids tick. In essence, students who are studying to be teachers now, are following two majors: their subject matter and education. Teach for America is taking students from fine schools and throwing them into very difficult educational environments. How, exactly, does that help anyone?

I know I am bitter about being unemployed and not finding employment, but I feel that Teach for America would be better if it took teachers like myself and my friend Gretchen -- people who know at least the basics in teaching -- and put them in difficult educational environments.

I think that would better serve the students in the schools that underperform.

More importantly, I don't really see a teacher shortage. They claim there is a shortage in Special Education but they will not hire a teacher like me -- certified -- to teach in that environment because I don't hold the proper certification. If that's what's needed, how the hell can they justify other uncertified teachers? I already have the bulk of the study done; I need a little more. Isn't that a better offer for students in schools that are failing? Isn't experience in the classroom more valuable than a degree from Harvard?

If there is such a shortage in teaching, why don't all education students get certified in special education too? It's true there is a seeming shortage of math and science teachers, but when I attend career fairs, I talk to plenty of math and science teachers who cannot find a job.

Teach for America seems to be robbing jobs from well-qualified teachers in an effort to claim that education is getting a needed boost. I am not buying it.

Knitting Supplies

I have begun knitting a new pair of socks with fingering weight yarn. Since the yarn is skinnier, the needles must be thinner. I am using a size two double pointed needle for this project and it was quite difficult getting the whole thing started.

Using different needles -- this time made of metal -- requires some adjustment. Some needles, such as wooden needles, are less slippery with the yarn. It's more difficult to move the project on the needles as you knit, but there is less likelihood of losing stitches. The size two needles I am using are nice to knit with, but the project is moving more slowly because the stitches are smaller. Still, I am interested to see how the whole project works out. This pair of socks is going to be like socks one would wear with shoes. We'll see how it works.

This project also has me thinking about needles in general. The Additurbo needle is supposed to be the circular knitting needle. I am considering asking for a set for Christmas. Circular needles are versatile and really nice to work with if they're constructed well. Some people in my knitting class have additurbos and they swear by them. I did once purchase a cheap set of circular needles and where the needle meets the connecting wire I had trouble with the yarn getting caught instead of smoothly moving along. I have since gotten rid - at the thrift shop - of those needles.

I cannot believe how many needles and supplies there are for knitting. And it matters. I knit a washcloth with a size four needle though the yarn is made for size eight needles. It will be interesting to see how this washcloth washes in the machine. will it shrink to be the size of a coaster? Will it maintain its shape because I used smaller needles? Time will tell.