First of all, I HAVE to share the survey we were handed when we walked in to the meeting. My table was having uncontrollable fits of giggles over this ludicrous document. (Be sure to click on it so it enlarges, and you can read it!)
As a group, we wanted to scratch out the word "different" in the last choice, and write in "some" or "any." One of our teachers was told a while back by our LLT something to the effect of "maybe you'll be happier at your next school." So, naturally, she was looking for the option that said, "Mrs. C. told me to look for a new school."
Another topic brought up in this meeting was teacher attendance. Big Cheese started to talk about it, and immediately says, "Well, I guess I'm preachin' to the wrong group." DUH!!! WE are all here! But, did that stop him from going on and on? Um...NO! He proceeds to waste 10 minutes talking about how we "muss be here everyday, teachers!" (no, that's NOT a typo!) Monday we had 8 teachers out. Far be it from me to agree with anything Big Cheese says, but that is irritating! Dori and I both missed preps this week because so many teachers were out. That sucks! I have yet to miss one single day in the Hell-Hole this year (outside of days that we are scheduled for professional development). Shocking, I know! I seriously think that's a major contributing factor to my unbelievably high stress level this year. In the 18 years I've been teaching, last year was the first year I had any sick days left at the end of the year to carry over to the next year. This year, like I said, I haven't taken ANY days off. I think I feel a sick day coming, though, cuz we don't have another day off until freakin' Memorial Day!!! (OK, all you non-teachers out there can stop rolling your eyes now!) And, just for the record, the main reason I never had any sick days left was because I'm a mom, and when my baby was sick, I had to stay home to take care of him, obviously. But, believe me, there were "mental health days" mixed in there, too.
We do have a teacher institute day coming up on April 11. Dori and I are scheduled to attend some in-service meeting somewhere, but I/we plan to sign and in leave immediately (I know, hard to believe, huh?) so I/we can enjoy the day with my daddy. April 11 will be his 65th birthday. He's officially going to become a senior citizen. Haha! I'm planning to drive up to his office with a cake, and maybe some balloons, just to irritate him. tee hee! We did that on his 60th, and all his employees were so excited. I actually got these giant number balloons, a 6 and a 0, and parked them in the breakroom along with a cake and assorted pastries. This year, his birthday falls on a Friday, so maybe we can make it an all-out party.
I'm sure there were many other things from the meeting that would make for interesting reading, but they escape me right now. If U.N., or anyone else, remembers any of them, PLEASE feel free to share! I'm just too tired to think anymore about it right now, and I still have tons to do for the big fundraiser I'm having Saturday night. I hope to see some of you there!
The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on. ~Elbert Hubbard
4 comments:
So I almost posted a recap weds. and now I wish I had because I'm starting to forget a bit of what was said. But here are the highlights (lowlights) I can remember. Feel free to put them in your regular blog space. I don't care, because even though I checked the option "I plan on coming back next year" I am not.
So first of all, the meeting was supposed to be brief, but instead lasted thirty entire minutes, making us late to meet the students who were already screaming in the halls.
Second, when mentioning the impending walk through- He mentioned how he didn't understand how authentic student work wasn't up on bulletin boards. So he posed the question to all of us, and was met with total absolute silence.
Then he tried to say that he doesn't have time to come into our rooms anymore because if we notice, "the administrative team was cut to two people, well, and my literacy teachers, and math and science specialist" (WHICH IF YOU'RE COUNTING MEANS THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM IS ACTUALLY FIVE ENTIRE PEOPLE) and because "we are sending kids down to mr. h. all day long so he can't be freed up."
I would like to point out that he has NEVER EVER EVER EVER come into our rooms, no matter how many people have been on the administrative team. Furthermore the person who left, Ms. B. , I'm pretty sure that in the four years, no wait, three years? (I don't even know when she was there)... I spoke to her ONE TIME. Thirdly, the other three people have also NEVER EVER EVER come into my room, and I can't tell you what they do all day. But I can tell you that if there are on average two classes in each grade then that means there are less than twenty classrooms... five members of the administrative team... and 180 days. I'm pretty sure you could swing by.
He also mentioned that we should accept this school retooling proposal because we need a shot in the arm, some of us just need some new ideas, and some of us don't know what we are doing at all.
I'm pretty sure if you are a principal and a few of your teachers quote "don't know what they're doing at all", then perhaps it would behoove you to try to help those teachers, visit their rooms maybe? Or mention it before....... march? Instead, at 8:50 AM, while hundreds of children were screaming around our meeting building, ten minutes before the day was about to begin and these screaming children were going to enter our classes, he informs us that some of us, but he won't say who, literally are completely incapable of doing the job we are about to do.
Lastly, as previously mentioned, he spoke about the problems with teacher attendance and coming on time. As chitowngirl said, he gave this speech to the people who were both present at school and on time. I have lost two preps this week, including first period back from break (WELCOME EFFING BACK), so I agree, 8 people out is INSANE. However, this was a case of literally wanting to shoot the messenger. I have missed ONE day this year. (September, I had to fly to a wedding). I get to school between 7 and 7:45 each day.
The Big Cheese has missed MANY days, including leaving early every single day the week before spring break. He also gets to school everyday at roughly 8:30. I am like the Cal Ripken of Hellhole school. And you sir Big Cheese, are no Cal Ripken.
I know you love your babies, but I sure hope you put down that you're planning on leaving the Hellhole! It's stressful enough as it is to teach in a healthy environment, let alone that place.
"We"? This is news to me! hahaha I actually don't mind these workshops.. so much better than being AT the school PD.
Sorry, didn't mean to try and corrupt you, Miss R. I just thought you'd like to play with me. I will DEFINITELY be celebrating my daddy's birthday that day, with or without you! ;-)
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