It is finally here!! It has seemed like forever to get here, and I had time off in March. I can imagine how the rest of the staff feels.
I have ranted in the past of my new/old job. I find it ridiculous that one person can disrupt the lives of so many. I know the Dean means well. I actually like her, worked with her quite a bit last year as a teacher. She doesn't seem to think things through very well. How can she justify juggling the para's around with no rhyme or reason. Pull me out of classes where I work with 10 kids to babysit one who refuses to do anything, to pull another from a class where she is working with 10 kids to cover the ones I was with. I have students coming in 3 times a day....3 hours with something to do....and I have 3 hours with nothing to do because I have been replaced in those classes. Just in case they send someone up for their behavior, but it isn't in house suspension, ok right. I had suggested for the three hours I have nothing to do why don't I follow my old schedule. Her answer, we need to know where you are.......ok you have my old schedule, you gave it to me, you know where I am......good grief.....
So today I have two 6th grade boys walk in my room. Mrs D sent them. Ok why, they don't know, they weren't doing anything, (they refused to do a social studies project.....it was stupid)...... I'm sure, no one ever does anything, N you sit there, T you sit there....no talking, no getting out of you seat, silence....anything else detention.......what are we supposed to do ,,,wait....we have nothing to do....not my problem......did Mrs D forget us?,,,,,,been known to happen......can you call her.....no......I need to go to science....not untill I talk to Mrs D....but I have a project to do.....should have thought of that before...........this is messed up.........we have lunch in 30 minutes.....maybe.... if Mrs D says you can go.....can you call her ......no.....this is stupid, this is messed up........stop talking....but this is stupid......You guys don't get it, this is not a fun place, this is where you come when you can't behave, you make poor choices, there is no talking, no walking around, nothing......there is waiting and then more waiting......how do we get out.....you do what is expected of you ......then can we leave.........no........what do we do when we are finished?......wait for Mrs D to let you out.....this is stupid......can you call her...no......
Yes Mrs D did come up and let them go to lunch with the rest of the 6th grade, and yes this is how I spent an hour of my day because two 6th grade boys thought they would be billy bad asses(Gee's words) and not do what was asked of them. For this I went to college......
June 19th can't come fast enough......last day of school for students!!
.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Baby Girl
Just had a phone call from Gee's niece Elaine, his sister Baby Girl, Rosella, has been very sick and in the hospital for more than 2 weeks. She had pneumonia, was dehydrated and was in real trouble when they finally got her to agree to go to the ER. She is now in a rehab center getting PT and having her heart monitored.
Baby Girl is the oldest girl, became the "mother"when their mother died. I think Gee and his twin sister Dee were 5 when she died. She came from Cleveland when Gee first got home from The Highlands. She was once again "playing mother" to him. She brought with her all kinds of stuff, food, oils, creams, and prayers. She got him to do alot more than anyone else could do. Got him out of bed, made him come to the kitchen in his wheelchair and other things. Gee said it was easier to just do what Baby Girl wanted than to listen to her if you didn't. Something he learned as a child.
Having talked to Elaine I find it isn't just her family she cares for, its everyone. At almost 90 she still makes care visits to all the sick "brothers and sisters" of her church. Drives them to doctors appointments, traviling to church revivals and family reunions. She is a God fearing woman, living her life as she feels God wants her to, in his service bringing with her a quiet belief that she is doing Gods work on Earth.
When the time does come for her to leave her" family", I am sure she will be welcomed with opened arms. There is not a harder worker in God service than this gentle woman who believes she is the "mother" of all.
Baby Girl is the oldest girl, became the "mother"when their mother died. I think Gee and his twin sister Dee were 5 when she died. She came from Cleveland when Gee first got home from The Highlands. She was once again "playing mother" to him. She brought with her all kinds of stuff, food, oils, creams, and prayers. She got him to do alot more than anyone else could do. Got him out of bed, made him come to the kitchen in his wheelchair and other things. Gee said it was easier to just do what Baby Girl wanted than to listen to her if you didn't. Something he learned as a child.
Having talked to Elaine I find it isn't just her family she cares for, its everyone. At almost 90 she still makes care visits to all the sick "brothers and sisters" of her church. Drives them to doctors appointments, traviling to church revivals and family reunions. She is a God fearing woman, living her life as she feels God wants her to, in his service bringing with her a quiet belief that she is doing Gods work on Earth.
When the time does come for her to leave her" family", I am sure she will be welcomed with opened arms. There is not a harder worker in God service than this gentle woman who believes she is the "mother" of all.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
REALITY
Reality. I got a post card to tell me Gee's stone has been set at the cemetery. Why has this brought on a new bout of melancholy, I guess it brings a finality to it all. I have been in such a depressed state of mind. I hate what I'm doing right now, babysitting a bunch of brats that no one makes accountable for anything. Instead of helping someone learn how to find the hypotenuse of a triangle I am telling these brats over and over to sit down....right now Wal -Mart looks pretty good.
I have been just sad these past few days......could be the job, but I don't think that's it. My friend Lynda said its the coming spring. Another season without Gee. She said when her Dad died she went through something similar because spring was when her dad would re-emerge from his winter "hibernation" and start to visit more. I have also been getting things together to refinance the house, I need to talk to someone about a few repairs on the house, I have unclaimed property of Dads I need to take care of, I want to talk to financial aide about going back to school, the yard work that needs to get done, the list is endless. It always was but now it is just my list not our list.
Gee's sisters will be coming soon. They have been very good calling me every few weeks. Babygirl has just added me to her list of people she needs to care for. The mother of the clan I suppose. Clayton has found that their grandfather Jessie was born a slave on the Gullatt plantation in Georgia. Brings the whole concept of slavery from distant history to part of our own history. My children's great-grandfather was born a slave, and the name they carry comes from the man who owned him.
The reading class I was in has been reading a book, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, written about a family of black farmers in the 1930's. Gee was born in 1934...this book reflected many of the stories he has told over the years. Picking cotton, being hungry, carefully making his way in the south as a black child. We come from such different places fate or God, take your pick, must have wanted us together. How else would we ever have found each other.
I have been just sad these past few days......could be the job, but I don't think that's it. My friend Lynda said its the coming spring. Another season without Gee. She said when her Dad died she went through something similar because spring was when her dad would re-emerge from his winter "hibernation" and start to visit more. I have also been getting things together to refinance the house, I need to talk to someone about a few repairs on the house, I have unclaimed property of Dads I need to take care of, I want to talk to financial aide about going back to school, the yard work that needs to get done, the list is endless. It always was but now it is just my list not our list.
Gee's sisters will be coming soon. They have been very good calling me every few weeks. Babygirl has just added me to her list of people she needs to care for. The mother of the clan I suppose. Clayton has found that their grandfather Jessie was born a slave on the Gullatt plantation in Georgia. Brings the whole concept of slavery from distant history to part of our own history. My children's great-grandfather was born a slave, and the name they carry comes from the man who owned him.
The reading class I was in has been reading a book, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, written about a family of black farmers in the 1930's. Gee was born in 1934...this book reflected many of the stories he has told over the years. Picking cotton, being hungry, carefully making his way in the south as a black child. We come from such different places fate or God, take your pick, must have wanted us together. How else would we ever have found each other.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
project support hell
I am back in the hell of project support. I have spent the day babysitting a brat who refuses to do what is expected of him. I get to sit in a room all day while this pain in my ass tells me he doesn't have to do anything, his ed plan says he can't get suspended or get a detention, so there isn't anything the office can do to him.
This I have been hand picked for, so says the Dean of Students, because I'm so good at what I do....they are going to have me speak to the other teachers on our next professional development day on how best to deal with these kids.....I thought she was kidding.....so I told her my speaking fee was $5000 an appearance....this is where she tells me she is serious,(I don't believe her) ... I told her so was I.
I just want to go back to what I know will help someone. Does the brat deserve an education, yes he does. Is it ok for him to be such a disruption for everyone else, no it isn't. What should they do about him. Give him a one way ride to CAPS and let him see how good he has it here. I will tell the teachers this and my secret to dealing with these kids, sarcasum and bullshit, as soon as I get my 5 grand.....
This I have been hand picked for, so says the Dean of Students, because I'm so good at what I do....they are going to have me speak to the other teachers on our next professional development day on how best to deal with these kids.....I thought she was kidding.....so I told her my speaking fee was $5000 an appearance....this is where she tells me she is serious,(I don't believe her) ... I told her so was I.
I just want to go back to what I know will help someone. Does the brat deserve an education, yes he does. Is it ok for him to be such a disruption for everyone else, no it isn't. What should they do about him. Give him a one way ride to CAPS and let him see how good he has it here. I will tell the teachers this and my secret to dealing with these kids, sarcasum and bullshit, as soon as I get my 5 grand.....
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
PANIC
My bracelet fell off today and one of the charms was gone. PANIC this was the very last thing Gee had given me.PANIC I searched the floor the stairs my room Rachel's room PANIC PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me find this bead.PLEASE PLEASE... I was picking through the recycling almost hysterical when Laureen pulled up. PANIC... I've lost the bead, It's gone what am I going to do....... where was I sitting what was I doing she assures me we will find it.....then she says, I found it......she found it. I dissolve in tears...........what would I have ever done if I had lost this little Mickey bead.......
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Changes
Change......goodness knows I hate change of any kind! Have these changes happen at school and I can't think straight. It looks like the Project Support classroom will be expanding. Which means I will be back in that classroom. I have been in " regular" classes since I came back from leave. I like the teachers I have been working with, Bruce teaches math and reading and Brent teaches ELA. I really feel I am a part of the team with these guys. They actually ask my opinion and really want to know what I think.
The guy who is now in charge of Project Support isn't the guy I used to work with. The new guy told me, "I intimidate people because I'm so smart." So I said, "Really, well you don't intimidate me." A horror show waiting to happen. I know he has the degree but good grief he doesn't have a clue. He tries to be the kids friends, believe me they have friends, they need teachers and role models.
I've always said I didn't want to be a classroom teacher. I don't have the temperament for it.What I'm really good at is one to one tutoring. So I think I have come to a conclusion.....I need to go back to school.
I have an interview tomorrow for a part time job with Wal Mart. I have been torn about this all weekend. If I get this job does it really help Rachel and I in the future? I am leaning towards no....it will help with the bills but will it really help, lets face facts here, I'm 53, I'll be working forever. Do I want to just pay the bills or do something that really doesn't feel like work at all. Maybe I should take my own advice... Do something that you like doing!
What will happen....I don't know yet. What to do?? What to do??
The guy who is now in charge of Project Support isn't the guy I used to work with. The new guy told me, "I intimidate people because I'm so smart." So I said, "Really, well you don't intimidate me." A horror show waiting to happen. I know he has the degree but good grief he doesn't have a clue. He tries to be the kids friends, believe me they have friends, they need teachers and role models.
I've always said I didn't want to be a classroom teacher. I don't have the temperament for it.What I'm really good at is one to one tutoring. So I think I have come to a conclusion.....I need to go back to school.
I have an interview tomorrow for a part time job with Wal Mart. I have been torn about this all weekend. If I get this job does it really help Rachel and I in the future? I am leaning towards no....it will help with the bills but will it really help, lets face facts here, I'm 53, I'll be working forever. Do I want to just pay the bills or do something that really doesn't feel like work at all. Maybe I should take my own advice... Do something that you like doing!
What will happen....I don't know yet. What to do?? What to do??
Friday, April 1, 2011
Pinochle
Pinochle wasn't just something Gee liked he loved it. He taught me how to play by playing 3 hands while I handled one. There was no way he was going to let me play with the other NCO's if I couldn't hold my own. Very early on I knew we couldn't be partners, he would yell, I'd quit and that was that.
We spent so many night playing cards. When we were in New York, stationed at The Seneca Army Depot, all the other Nco's came to our house to play cards. They were all getting ready to retire and were semi-bachelors....their families were at home waiting for them.
The unit was called Readiness Group, they taught reservists all the things they needed to know. Most Fridays they were off to some unit to give classes and would be home on Sunday. During the week, they were off duty by noon, by 20 past they were at our house, and the cards were flying by 1.
I always got Anthony for a partner, and we would loose. Gee was a great card player,knew what had been played, by who and what you had in your hand by how you played, and Anthony never let me get a bid. Anthony went to Ft Drum for a few weeks. While he was gone a new guy, Ralph Flowers, Gee called him Flo, joined the unit. He started coming around and became ,y partner, not that we always won but we could hold our own. When Anthony came back he was Gee's partner and was amaized at how much better I was playing!
We would play cards at BJ and Sauls a few times a month. Gee lived for these nights. He and Saul had so much in common, old soldiers. As Gee got sicker, he couldn't sit for long. I know he missed those games, and the company. I doubt I will ever play pinochle again. No one plays anymore, and if they did it was Gee's game.......just wont be the same without hearing him telling Saul to play the King, you know you got a king...
We spent so many night playing cards. When we were in New York, stationed at The Seneca Army Depot, all the other Nco's came to our house to play cards. They were all getting ready to retire and were semi-bachelors....their families were at home waiting for them.
The unit was called Readiness Group, they taught reservists all the things they needed to know. Most Fridays they were off to some unit to give classes and would be home on Sunday. During the week, they were off duty by noon, by 20 past they were at our house, and the cards were flying by 1.
I always got Anthony for a partner, and we would loose. Gee was a great card player,knew what had been played, by who and what you had in your hand by how you played, and Anthony never let me get a bid. Anthony went to Ft Drum for a few weeks. While he was gone a new guy, Ralph Flowers, Gee called him Flo, joined the unit. He started coming around and became ,y partner, not that we always won but we could hold our own. When Anthony came back he was Gee's partner and was amaized at how much better I was playing!
We would play cards at BJ and Sauls a few times a month. Gee lived for these nights. He and Saul had so much in common, old soldiers. As Gee got sicker, he couldn't sit for long. I know he missed those games, and the company. I doubt I will ever play pinochle again. No one plays anymore, and if they did it was Gee's game.......just wont be the same without hearing him telling Saul to play the King, you know you got a king...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)