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16 august 2004
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i'm repeating the eighth grade.
I've missed writing at the site. I've missed the way it makes my day come alive again.
I haven't written much more than personal things over the past year. Looking back on it, given the health stress and the school stress, I sacrificed my personal writing to just get through many days. I chose to be the best teacher I could be, instead of the most productive writer. I didn't want to write so much as a sick person, either. It's not interesting to me.
This year promises to be much less stressful. We have a new principal at our school who does not play. He has high expectations of the teachers, and of the students. He expects order and responsibility. Last year...whooo. Chaos, y'all. My classroom was a good place to be, but the hallways and outdoor areas were a train wreck. The philosophy last year was twofold: run the (middle) school like an elementary school, and we "don't want a police state." Naturally, disaster and hilarity ensued.
One of our other issues was that there was no progressive plan to deal with repeat offenders. These kids would get in-school suspension, numerous out of school suspensions, and constantly be given chance after chance to walk the halls, create chaos in classrooms, and otherwise spend time at a place where they clearly did not want to be! No more--Mr. NewPrincipal made it real clear: you won't spend the rest of the year in ISS. You won't go home for a day or two for stupid stuff all year. You won't waste our time. You go to ISS, then you get three, five, then ten days. Then you're gone. Alternative setting for you, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.
For those of you who teach, you know that it's working. It's nice to see the deputy and the officers walk the halls, to be able to talk with them about kids they already know. These guys know how and where many kids live. They give us insight into their lives so we can teach them more effectively. Last year, the officers were made to stay outdoors, so as not to create a "police state" environment. It's not like that, though. We simply have order.
The teachers are buoyant this year. We feel refreshed at the end of the day because we haven't been fighting to do our jobs. We are now free to teach, because the entire school has bought into the idea that an orderly, safe, productive environment is NICE. The kids love it--I have had almost no disciplinary issues, and it's not because the kids are afraid of what we'll do. It's because they now feel safe to explore and be smart and be successful. They voice pride about their school again--a rare sentiment last year among most people.
So...yeah. I'm free to write and to teach and to get enough sleep. I feel good, too, by the way. In fact, I'm getting certified as an ACE personal trainer by early next year.
I'll continue to add a few things here and there to the new Den design, including a link to the old archives. There's just so much! It really is like my Gramma's attic. Sad. Very sad. Thankfully, not moldy. Yet.
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