Please define the role of a co-teacher in my classroom!

OK, today we had an early release day - well, the kids got out early, not us. The teachers has to stay and get training on Special Education stuff.

One of the topics was co-teaching. At my school, SPED teachers are in some of the classrooms with the regular education teacher to "help out". I currently have a SPED teacher in two of my classes with me. The logic of having him in the classroom with me is that over half of students in each class are on IEP's (Individual Education Plans). So, each of these students has specific accommodations that by law, I need to fulfill. He is supposed to be walking around from student to student and help them out. He's supposed to be familiar with the kids that are on IEP (He doesn't even know what kids are on IEP's and they are on his case load - I've had to tell him which kids need help). Oh, I need to let you know that this is a man that is in his upper 50's and has done SPED for a long time and worked in MANY schools all over MA.

Issue #1 - I was supposed to get copies of my IEP's before school started. I never received any IEP's. So, I went to my co-teacher (twice) and asked him if he could please print out the IEP's of the kids that we have in class. He never did do what I asked him to do for me. I ended up going to two other SPED teachers and they printed out the IEP's for me. They asked why didn't Mr. #$@& do it? My response was that I've asked him twice and he still hasn't printed them out.

Issue #2 - I've heard absolute horror stories on this guy that's supposed to be helping not only the students but me too in the classroom. One by one, teachers have come up to me and told me that Mr. %$##@ is absolutely useless.

Issue #3 - When Mr. $##%% is in the classroom with me, he stands in the back of the room the entire time. He doesn't move around the room to help the kids. When he does have a "conversation" with a kid, it's confrontational. Which isn't a good trait to have with a teenager by the way!

Issue #4 - I've complained to my team teachers about this guy and they gave me a few suggestions on how to deal with it. One of the suggestions was to talk to one of the administrators to see if they could have a chat with Mr. %^$#@. I had a chat with my Housemaster (aka Asst. Principal) today. I'm trying to be diplomatic and professional because it is my first year at this school and I don't want to rock the boat. However, when I spoke to the Housemaster, he's noticed the same things about Mr. ^%##&. The Housemaster said he would speak to Mr. ^%#@.

Issue #5 - I realize that I can't change someone. However, I am asking for professional courtesy and respect. My #1 concern is the kids. Plain and simple! And, these kids are not received the services that they are supposed to according to their IEP. That's against the law!

Issue #6 - Mr. $##%^ leaves the room before the bell rings at the end of the day - before even the kids! And, during class, he will disappear for a while.

Oh, I might want to add that I have three years experience team teaching with two different English teachers and one year experience co-teaching with a SPED teacher. I've been VERY blessed by having some GREAT folks to work with in the classroom. Carla and Donna were amazing educators to work with in the classroom. We had so much fun and the kids learned a great deal from us. Betsy was great with our kids last year because she was always walking around the classroom helping the kids or adding to class discussions and keeping the kids focused. In all these examples, it was presented to the kids that my colleagues and I were a TEAM! That we work together.

I've tried to establish that TEAM attitude with Mr. %^$#@ as well. When I speak, I always say, "Mr. %$#^ and I would like . . . . "

So, the workshop today on co-teaching did clearly define the role of the SPED teacher in my classroom and it's what I originally thought it was - to provide support to the kids and teacher in the classroom. I heard it. But did Mr. %$#@&??????

I'll keep you posted . . . . .

Banned Book Week - Sept 23-30

Banned Book Week is September 23rd-30th this year.

The following is the top ten list:
*“It's Perfectly Normal” for homosexuality, nudity, sex education, religious viewpoint, abortion and being unsuited to age group;
*“Forever” by Judy Blume for sexual content and offensive language;
*“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger for sexual content, offensive language and being unsuited to age group;
*“The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content and offensive language;
*“Whale Talk” by Chris Crutcher for racism and offensive language;
*“Detour for Emmy” by Marilyn Reynolds for sexual content;
*“What My Mother Doesn't Know” by Sonya Sones for sexual content and being unsuited to age group;
*Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey for anti-family content, being unsuited to age group and violence
*“Crazy Lady!” by Jane Leslie Conly for offensive language; and
*“It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families” by Robie H. Harris for sex education and sexual content.

Off the list this year, but on for several years past, are the Alice series of books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.

As an avid reader, censorship annoys me. I've read six out of the ten books from the above list. I think some of these radical groups need to get a life! Reading is important! Let's not discourage a kid from reading anything!

I'm in two Book Clubs - one is a group of teachers from my previous school and the second is a History Book Club through Salem State College.

I read for enjoyment. I've always been a huge reader. Growing up, it was tough to get me to stop reading a book. I love to read before I go to bed. So, I really don't get these folks out there that censor books.

Do me a favor - go to your local library or book store and read ONE of the books on the list from above.

I'm exhausted!

Yes, it's been a long week. I crashed last night. Next week will be even longer.

I work all weekend at Paws. I have a ton of school work to complete by Monday.

This is my week:
Sunday - Work at Paws.
Monday - Meet w/ 9th grade History teachers to do common planning.
Wednesday - Professional Day -Workshop on SPED and afterwards, a dept meeting
Thursday - Meet the Parent's Night - 6:30-8:30 - LONG DAY! I won't even bother coming back home. I'll just stay down there.
Friday - Girl's Night Out - Lauren organized a group of us to meet at Kowloon's in Saugus. I am VERY much looking forward to this!
Saturday - Work at Paws

Sorry I haven't been posting a lot. School is keeping me rather busy. I'm hoping that after September, I will get into a normal swing of things and not spend so much time at school. It just seems that there is never enough time in the day for me to get my stuff done. Ughy!

Hope everyone had a good week. Thanks for all emails and hugs!

General Tidbits

*Lea emailed me and said she'd send me a picture of Gunther the dog soon. Once I get it, I'll post it. Thanks everyone for the happy thoughts.
*I'm an official commuter now. I've noticed a "few" things:
-Do people know how to use their turn signal? Is it a new invention?
-Why do folks drive slow in the fast lane and then refuse to move over AFTER other drivers pass them?
-When there is an accident or someone is pulled off along side the road, why do drivers find it necessary to slow down, stop, and be nosey? I call this the nosey factor. It causes delays people! Knock it off! Just drive! Do you really want to see a dead body on the road?
*It's official - I've heard every single excuse in the book regarding why a student hasn't completed their homework the past week. Should I give them an A for creativity?????
*Chavez (President of Venezuela) calls GW Bush the "devil" - HELLO! Is this really news???
*Lastly, is it Friday yet? I'm exhausted! :-)

Hugs to Lea!

My friend Lea had to put down her dog today. She's very sad but knew that it was time.

Hugs and love to Gunther - one hell of a fighter!

Lea - you did the right thing - Gunther isn't suffering anymore.

Hang tough and keep on smiling!

Hugs! :-)

PS I thought I had picture of Gunther but I don't - So, I've posted this picture of Lea when she came out last April for a visit. The Salty Dog is a restaurant in Boston near Faneuil Hall.

General Observations of my First Week

I survived my first week at my new school.

This school is so different than my previous school(s). One, it's more diverse. I have students in my class that speak Spanish, Portuguese, Albanian, and Chinese as their first language. So, I have the challenge of not only teaching them World History but also the language barrier. I like having all the different cultures in my room - it's great for class discussions! Second, this school is the largest school I've ever worked in. My own high school in IL (Hall High School) was only around 400 students in the entire building! My new school is around 1400 students! Third, the lack of use and/or presence of technology in the school. I've been spoiled working at my previous school. In my old classroom, I had a teacher computer(with the Internet) with an LCD projector installed from the ceiling so I could show DVD's or do PowerPoints, I had four student computers in the back of my classroom for student use, a printer, a VCR, and access to Email. This school, nothing! I bring in my laptop to do some work. We do have a small computer lab for teacher use but they are OLD Macs! Email is not encouraged with the faculty. Everything given to us in paper format in our mailboxes so it's such a waste of time and paper. I feel like I've stepped back in time of at least ten years regarding technology. Fourth, there are only four photocopiers for a faculty of 200 plus. And, on a good day, if we are lucky, two of them are actually working. And, we are given paper by our Head Teachers or Dept Chairs so they monitor the paper use. Once we run, that's it! We have to buy our own paper. At my previous school, we had a photocopier in the dept office. Oh, there is no dept office at my new school.

As frustrating and challenging as some parts of my new job can be I do like my new school. The kids are great! I have a few problem kids but most of them are pretty good kids. My colleagues are incredibly helpful and supportive. The administration (so far) has been supportive and good too. The lack of technology has really messed up my time management so I'm not as productive as I used to be for getting ready for my school day. I'm hoping that I'll adjust to it.

I am trying to find a cheap LCD projector for my classroom so I can do my PowerPoints. I have an Overhead Projector so I'm going back to doing overheads for notes for the time being. It's not very productive or creative but it will do for now.

The commute hasn't been too bad so far. It only takes me 35 minutes in the morning to get to school. The ride home is a different story. It takes me anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. I'm very grateful that gas prices out here have gone down a ton! It's only $2.41 a gallon. I'm finding I like that drive home to decompress from my day. I'm getting up early - around 5:00 am to get ready for my school day so I'm trying to get to bed earlier and not stay up too late. One day this week, I actually went to bed at 8:00 pm because I was so exhausted and tired!

I'm also getting active already. They were looking for a class advisor for the Freshman class and I signed up for it. I do get paid a small stipend. I also signed up for a History Book Club through Salem State College and other area high schools. I get paid a small stipend for that too.

I'm still working at Paws - on Thursday after school, Saturdays, and I alternate every other Sunday. I may pick up another day during the week. I'm feeling out my schedule at school to see if I can handle anymore hours. I would like to go back to tutoring because it's great money and I like the one on one learning with the student.

Anyhoo, that's my general observations and thoughts from the past week.

Happy Anniversary Janet & Jeff!

This picture was taken at their wedding shower in 2002.

Happy Anniversary Janet-poo aka Nutty!

Enjoy your special day with your honey pie!

Hugs and love!!!

Never Forget . . . . .

In my thoughts and prayers.

Never forget . . . . . .

At school, we had a moment of silence and then a student sang "God Bless America" over the PA system. I had students share where they were and what they were feeling on Sept. 11th. My freshman were in 4th grade and my sophomores were in 5th grade in 2001.

I was teaching at Timberlane at the time. I remember feeling like everything was in slow motion on that day. I also remember feeling very scared of the future. A lot of my students left the building saying "I love you Ms. M." - like they were afraid they would never see me again. I went home that night to my empty apartment in Derry, NH and thought the world may be coming to an end and here I was, all alone. I also remember missing my family and I thought that I might never see them again.

It's been five years since 9/11. Have we learned anything from this experience??????

Busy and exhausting week

I had two days of school this week. We are on block scheduling so I met three of my classes on Thursday (one block was for planning) and two of my classes on Friday (the other two blocks on Friday were a duty and a common planning block with my freshman team members). We alternate days - Red and White Days. My honors classes are going to be fine. I have no major concerns with those kids. There are a few of kids that I question whether or not they should be in an Honors class but for the most part, they are pretty good kids. My college prep classes are a bit more of a concern. Two of the college preps, I have a SPED teacher and ELL teacher in the room with me because I have thirty kids in each of those classes. I need heavy support in those classes. Spanish is the prominent language for the ELL kids. I wanted diversity so I definitely got it! Overall, the kids are really nice. I haven't smiled a lot. I need to show them that I have the control of the classroom. I can always ease up in my classroom discipline. You can't go the other way - it's good to be tough now!

I've been trying to stay late and get my classroom somewhat organized and ready for the school year. I was told to not get to comfortable because after the holidays in December, all the freshman teams are being moved out to the modular classrooms (which are a nicer set-up). My current classroom has no windows, chalkboards instead of whiteboards, and the air quality is pretty stifling. I've already mentioned in a previous post that the technology is pretty much non-existent in this school. My previous school was die hard into technology so I feel like I've gone back in time about ten years. Email isn't even encouraged at this school so everything that is given to us is in paper format. It's such a waste of time and trees. Also, I have no LCD projector for my PowerPoints. I tried pricing them out but the cheapest I can find is one for $699! Way too much money for me to spend. I've been using my laptop (which still works). I bought it when I was working at Timberlane since they had no computers for teachers. I pretty much stopped using the laptop once I got to Newburyport.

Here are a few pictures of what my room looks like at this point:

I don't like my desks in rows (unless for testing) so I tend to change the desks quite a bit. Currently, they are in a semi-circle for discussions. I had to squish thirty desks in to a small space so I could have enough desks for all my classes.

This is my area -desk, personal stuff, filing cabinet, etc.

I currently have 120 students on my classload. The numbers may change a bit the next week - either up or down. I'm hoping down! That's a lot of correcting to get done! I haven't had this high of classload since my Timberlane days. I guess I got spoiled at my last teaching job! :-)

I just wanted to check in - as mentioned before, I will not have a ton of time this first month to blog so I thought I would just give a quick post to let everyone know that I'm surviving the school year so far.

Happy Birthday Mary Beth!

Just wanted to do a quick shout out to my friend, Mary Beth!

It's her b-day today!

Wishing you much love and happiness on this extra special day kiddo - :-)

Professional Day #2

It was a long and exhausting day at school. My classroom still isn't where it needs to be at this point. I'm trying not to stress out too much about since I'm only in this room until December.

We had the freshman come in today for orientation. I had to do four thirty minute presentations on the goals for the year. The kids are good so far. I have a few that could be potential problems but most of them are rather sweet and good. So far. :-)

I wasn't able to get as much work as I needed to get done today because of the freshman thing. Being in a new school takes some serious adjusting to my life.

Also, I just want to give everyone a heads up. If I'm not blogging or emailing right away it's because I'm buried in school stuff right now. So please forgive me. Plus, I'm going to be working at Paws a few days during the week and on weekends. The beginning of the school year tends to be rather overwhelming so until I get a grip on a routine, please know that I am thinking about all my fellow bloggers and friends!

My butt is seriously dragging right now and I still have more school stuff to do before I head to bed.

Pleasant dreams all -

Professional Day #1

It's been a very long day for M-Dawg!

I got to school around 7:00 am - I didn't have electricity in my classroom so I ended up stealing a construction safety light contraption so I could at least start cleaning my desks and classroom. I don't have windows in my classroom so my room is completely dark. I'm in the middle of the building so it was pretty dark.

We had a 2 1/2 hour faculty meeting. Went over major changes and concerns from the previous year. The building I'll be working in has just started (in June) a major construction project. The construction will take at least two years so the building is a little on the rough side. The good news is that I'll only be in this classroom until December. After that, the entire freshman team moves out into the modular units (which are VERY nice by the way). We will be out there for the next year and a half.

I had lunch with one of my new colleagues in the history dept and a new math teacher. We chatted away about our impressions so far.

I had to leave for a freshman team meeting at 1:00. The team consists of a history teacher, math teacher, science teacher, English teacher, and SPED teacher. We all share the same students. I have four freshman classes so these other teachers share those same students with me. All of the teachers have a common planning block too! We discussed common goals for the school year for the freshman. We have freshman orientation tomorrow so each team teacher has to prepare a 30 minute activity for each freshman class to prepare them for their goals for the school year. I'm in charge of organization! :-) So, I'm going to do a little skit - I'm going to come in all disorganized with my backpack open with papers flying out it and all disorganized. Then, I'm going to break them up into groups and ask them to brainstorm ways to keep themselves organized on a butcher sheet of paper. After they brainstorm, we'll discuss some of the suggestions. I'll then demonstrate some techniques to help them stay organized for the school year: binder with dividers, agenda book, etc.

Afterwards, I went back to my room and guess what???? I had electricity! So, I stayed until 5:00 pm tonight to get things organized for tomorrow. I'm still not where I want to be for Thursday when school officially opens.

Looks like another late night on Wednesday -

Anecdotes from Paws

I like my part-time job. It's a fun job. We sell products for dogs and cats. People bring in their dogs and we have little treats that we can give them. It's rare that we get a cat into the store but we do have little treats for them too. If you like dogs and cats, it's a great place to work.

However, customers say the darndest things and they crack me up! I thought I would share a few funny stories:

*Phone Call - "Do you sell stuff for birds, lizards, hamsters, fish etc." - Is there a reason why we have the word PAWS in the store name? And, last I checked, these animals DO NOT have paws!
*If you have ever been in the store, you know it's very small. We have a closet in the back that we keep extra inventory and our personal stuff (coats, purses, etc.). Customers DO NOT believe me when I tell them the closet is not a bathroom. Today, a customer told me she didn't believe me that there was no bathroom in the store (according to her logic: It's a state law that every business needs to have a bathroom - this is NOT true by the way!). She proceeded to open up the closet door. I stood there with this "I told you" look. She walked out of the store. Oh, FYI, she didn't apologize to me.
*Woman walks into the store holding her female puppy out in front of her like it's wet. "Do you carry feminine products for dogs?" Her dog is "in heat" and is bleeding all over the place. I had to call the owner of the store at home because I had no idea what to do because NO we don't carry that product. The owner tells me on the phone that she could order some product for the customer's dog but it will take a few days. I'm absolutely horrified because I never realized that they even make such a product for female dogs. Learn something new everyday! FYI: the woman acted like this incident was this HUGE surprise - HELLO! You buy a female dog and don't get it fixed and what else should you expect to happen? DUH! When I asked the owner of the dog if she planned on breeding the dog (I thought that's why she was allowing the dog to be in heat so she could breed it) - her reply: "Why would I want to breed her? I didn't think that female dogs had periods." Do you feel bad for the dog yet?
*Male customer comes into the store to ask me the following question (quietly whispers): "Do you sell leather collars with spikes in them for humans to wear?" - need I say more?
*Overheard in the store. A conversation between two customers as they walk into the store. 1st woman - "I really like those flags of the dogs - they carry so many different breeds." 2nd woman: "I really don't like those flags. It tells the doggie kidnappers what your dog looks like if you have one of those flags in your yard." - Doggie kidnappers?????????

These are just a few interesting stories that have taken place at my part-time job. When I first started working there, lots of things surprised me. Not anymore!

Not much to report today

Nothing new today.

I work today at Paws 3-9.

Sounds like an exciting day, doesn't it?