Today
Today was a long day.
Today I began my day by breaking up a fight.
Today I had an excellent discussion with my first period class on the relationships between and among nationalism, liberalism, industrialism, and socialism. It even brought in imperialism and genocide at one point.
Today I was stopped on my way to class by three teachers who wanted to tell me about their problems with with the way other teachers interacted with them. I'm the chapter leader, but I'm not a how-to-have-professional-relationships mentor.
Today I received an email from a doctoral student at Columbia asking me to participate in her research on teachers of ELLs. I hope she can give me some useful insight into what other people are doing.
Today we had student government elections.
Today I got a response from a professor I emailed at Columbia about my understanding of 19th-century nationalism. I think it's going to be the beginning of a useful dialogue.
Today they figured out a way to stop kids from breaking into the bathroom outside my room. This will ensure students go to the main office to get the bathroom key. We do this to stop the bathroom from becoming a place for smoking and drug dealing.
Today I told my last period class that one of their classmates had been elected student body president. They hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded him into the hallway. The Latin Americans really take their democracy seriously.
Today I sat in a school leadership meeting in which we learned that even though we're now receiving technology for the school, procedures and materials for securing and distributing it on a daily basis are behind. If we want a projector, there's a good chance we'll have to wait thirty minutes for it. Plan accordingly.
Today I attended a Teachers Unite meeting in midtown on establishing a system of restorative justice in my school and in schools across the Bronx. I learned the Latin Kings and Queens have a non-profit organization. Why didn't my student members tell me about this?
Today I stopped at West Side Market on 110th on my way back home to taste all of the sample cheeses with no intention of purchasing anything. I don't feel bad.
Today I wrote a blog post. I did it in ten minutes.
Today was a long day.
Today I began my day by breaking up a fight.
Today I had an excellent discussion with my first period class on the relationships between and among nationalism, liberalism, industrialism, and socialism. It even brought in imperialism and genocide at one point.
Today I was stopped on my way to class by three teachers who wanted to tell me about their problems with with the way other teachers interacted with them. I'm the chapter leader, but I'm not a how-to-have-professional-relationships mentor.
Today I received an email from a doctoral student at Columbia asking me to participate in her research on teachers of ELLs. I hope she can give me some useful insight into what other people are doing.
Today we had student government elections.
Today I got a response from a professor I emailed at Columbia about my understanding of 19th-century nationalism. I think it's going to be the beginning of a useful dialogue.
Today they figured out a way to stop kids from breaking into the bathroom outside my room. This will ensure students go to the main office to get the bathroom key. We do this to stop the bathroom from becoming a place for smoking and drug dealing.
Today I told my last period class that one of their classmates had been elected student body president. They hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded him into the hallway. The Latin Americans really take their democracy seriously.
Today I sat in a school leadership meeting in which we learned that even though we're now receiving technology for the school, procedures and materials for securing and distributing it on a daily basis are behind. If we want a projector, there's a good chance we'll have to wait thirty minutes for it. Plan accordingly.
Today I attended a Teachers Unite meeting in midtown on establishing a system of restorative justice in my school and in schools across the Bronx. I learned the Latin Kings and Queens have a non-profit organization. Why didn't my student members tell me about this?
Today I stopped at West Side Market on 110th on my way back home to taste all of the sample cheeses with no intention of purchasing anything. I don't feel bad.
Today I wrote a blog post. I did it in ten minutes.
Today was a long day.
you need a vacation with people who care about you. see you in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteToday, you told the truth about what it means to be a school teacher. The truth is important.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. I think in a similar fashion, have similar experiences, and handle it in a similar way. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day classic children's book -- only the new and improved version for teachers!
ReplyDeleteI hope YOU become a doctoral student at Columbia!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I loved each and every day as a first-grade teacher, but with the present craziness, I don't want to see anyone put up with this kind of stress. What teachers need now is a good old-fashioned teacher shortage. Until then, I hope all you dedicated, hard-working men and women find a job where you'll be better supported and appreciated.