Thursday, April 2, 2009
Fires
Our school is known for fires being set by students. Today we had our first one of the school year. Not too bad all things considered. But now the building smells like smoke.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
And it's off
I just sent an email to Michelle Rhee requesting a meeting with her to discuss the future of the Academy.
I am very nervous, but also excited that I am actually trying to be proactive instead of just running from my problems by applying to another school.
While I don't know exactly what she can do, at least I am going to try to fix things before I head for the hills.
UPDATE (8:40 AM): "Sure thing, Angie pls schedule." And with that... we begin.
I am very nervous, but also excited that I am actually trying to be proactive instead of just running from my problems by applying to another school.
While I don't know exactly what she can do, at least I am going to try to fix things before I head for the hills.
UPDATE (8:40 AM): "Sure thing, Angie pls schedule." And with that... we begin.
Monday, March 30, 2009
This can't be healthy
Things that have to get done:
- Debate Team preparations for meetings
- Earth Day celebration plans (finalized)
- Letter to Ms. Rhee
- Class lessons for 3 different classes
- Project for AU Assessment Class
- Project for AU Foundations Class
- AP Syllabus Submition
- Junior Class Meeting to discuss change of plans
- Readings for classes (yeah... right)
- Prepare for Praxis Pedagogy on April 25 (sorta need that to get my license)
- Survival?
Apparently it has been a long day...
The school counselor came in just now to make an announcement and asked "where are all the students? I have been looking around and they're just not in the classrooms. Why is that?" It was 3:35, class had ended 20 minutes prior.
Yeah it was that kind of day...
Yeah it was that kind of day...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Poor Leadership
I am tired of being blamed for things that are a result of poor leadership. I am new to this system, in my second year of teaching, and am being blamed for taking initiative to help students without going through the 'proper' channels. Now I understand following the rules and I am more than willing to. But it is hard to do that when you don't know the rules exist. When I ask my leader a question or inform that leader that I am doing something and they say 'great' and tell me nothing else, then I'm going ahead with what I'm doing. If a student clears something with that leader then tells me about it later then I assume the leader took care of everything which is why they signed off on the endeavor.
This "leader" has already driven away a good science teacher. She's now driving away the math teacher. And she is certainly driving away me. And she wonders why this Academy is in constant danger of being closed.
There is a reason I am sending my resume out to schools with real leaders. I am a beginning teacher, I cannot be expected to run this school, and I need real guidance not just trial by fire (and we'll yell at you when you mess up). When a group of students comes to you and you tell them about a 'free bus' and tell them to 'write this person' and they do that, don't send me a condescending email (that is cc'd to said students) telling me that I should have written to that person about a free bus and that the students didn't do the letter right. Why didn't you tell them to tell me, or better yet tell them what should be in that letter? Why am I all of a sudden the poor, disorganized teacher who has no idea what she's doing (when I didn't even know about this free bus)? I know it makes her feel better to blame me, because then she takes it off of herself. But she's driving away the one teacher who is going above and beyond the call of duty, who has taken 4 days off over 2 years, who comes in over an hour early almost every day and stays late, who runs clubs, is always there for her students and actually teaches (and yes the students and I all know that we have maybe 2 or 3 teachers who do that here). So she is, in her own words, reaping what she sows.
This "leader" has already driven away a good science teacher. She's now driving away the math teacher. And she is certainly driving away me. And she wonders why this Academy is in constant danger of being closed.
There is a reason I am sending my resume out to schools with real leaders. I am a beginning teacher, I cannot be expected to run this school, and I need real guidance not just trial by fire (and we'll yell at you when you mess up). When a group of students comes to you and you tell them about a 'free bus' and tell them to 'write this person' and they do that, don't send me a condescending email (that is cc'd to said students) telling me that I should have written to that person about a free bus and that the students didn't do the letter right. Why didn't you tell them to tell me, or better yet tell them what should be in that letter? Why am I all of a sudden the poor, disorganized teacher who has no idea what she's doing (when I didn't even know about this free bus)? I know it makes her feel better to blame me, because then she takes it off of herself. But she's driving away the one teacher who is going above and beyond the call of duty, who has taken 4 days off over 2 years, who comes in over an hour early almost every day and stays late, who runs clubs, is always there for her students and actually teaches (and yes the students and I all know that we have maybe 2 or 3 teachers who do that here). So she is, in her own words, reaping what she sows.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
One down, three to go!
I just sent in my cover letter and resume to Banneker SHS. I applied last year and was not hired, but I was given the impression that I was the 2nd choice, which isn't too bad. I teach Saturday School with a teacher who works there and heard that the person they hired over me was fired halfway through the year and now they have a permanent substitute.
This means that my dream position is going to be back on the market. In an attempt to get it once again, I am applying early and worked really hard on my cover letter and CV. I think my application is a lot stronger this year. I have grown a lot as a teacher and taken on a lot of additional roles here at the Academy. I also am getting much more direct in selling myself to Banneker in particular, making sure they understand that I will be a good fit for the long term and not just some kid who plans to go to law school in a few years (not that there's anything wrong w/that, I'm just not that person).
I have three more schools that I will apply to, just to see if anything comes of them, but really Banneker is my top choice. It has the IB program, a strong set of students from around the district, is not a charter school, has a good number of students and has high standards for everyone involved. I can see myself having a long career there and really growing and learning from my fellow staff members and administration. Especially because, by all accounts, it is a school that actually works.
I do feel a little guilty about leaving my students here, especially because the programs I am setting up aren't necessarily short term. But I deserve the chance to work with people who know what they are doing and actually try. People who don't come to work late every day, people who really teach lessons and don't just use the poorly written textbook, faculty who don't do the bare minimum and people who follow school, state and federal regulations and don't discriminate against those that are different. I know I deserve that, and I'm sorry to the students that I may leave behind if I do get offered another position (because I know I would be leaving you behind with nothing), but at some point I have to do something that is for my own benefit, or I may not make it to that long-term goal I see for myself in the future.
This means that my dream position is going to be back on the market. In an attempt to get it once again, I am applying early and worked really hard on my cover letter and CV. I think my application is a lot stronger this year. I have grown a lot as a teacher and taken on a lot of additional roles here at the Academy. I also am getting much more direct in selling myself to Banneker in particular, making sure they understand that I will be a good fit for the long term and not just some kid who plans to go to law school in a few years (not that there's anything wrong w/that, I'm just not that person).
I have three more schools that I will apply to, just to see if anything comes of them, but really Banneker is my top choice. It has the IB program, a strong set of students from around the district, is not a charter school, has a good number of students and has high standards for everyone involved. I can see myself having a long career there and really growing and learning from my fellow staff members and administration. Especially because, by all accounts, it is a school that actually works.
I do feel a little guilty about leaving my students here, especially because the programs I am setting up aren't necessarily short term. But I deserve the chance to work with people who know what they are doing and actually try. People who don't come to work late every day, people who really teach lessons and don't just use the poorly written textbook, faculty who don't do the bare minimum and people who follow school, state and federal regulations and don't discriminate against those that are different. I know I deserve that, and I'm sorry to the students that I may leave behind if I do get offered another position (because I know I would be leaving you behind with nothing), but at some point I have to do something that is for my own benefit, or I may not make it to that long-term goal I see for myself in the future.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Interesting (read: depressing) Stats
Today a new report was released by the District talking about the HIV/AIDS rate in DC.
It is approximately 1:33 and disproportionately affects African Americans
Another interesting statistic I just found out: 2 seniors and 1 sophomore are pregnant in the Academy
We have about 96 students
That means approximately 1:32 students are pregnant (having unprotected sex).
Coincidence?
It is approximately 1:33 and disproportionately affects African Americans
Another interesting statistic I just found out: 2 seniors and 1 sophomore are pregnant in the Academy
We have about 96 students
That means approximately 1:32 students are pregnant (having unprotected sex).
Coincidence?
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