About a month ago, Teach for America and Apple generously donated Apple iPads to the entire Phoenix corps for use in the classroom. This iPad has been an awesome tool for my own use (it has my grade book, calendar etc.) and for use in the classroom. I have used the iPad as an incentive for good behavior and as an intervention strategy with my lower students (imagine learning sight words or practicing math on an iPad... SO cool)!
Needless to say that a few weeks after it's arrival in the classroom it went "missing." I quickly thought back to the last time I saw it... ClassKlepto was trying to put it in his backpack after school (I quickly reclaimed the iPad and drove him out of the room). "AHHHH HA!" I thought, I had my primary suspect. He must have come back into the room after I left.
ClassKlepto is a master of lies and trickery. No one ever answered the home phone, notes home mysteriously disappeared and to top it off... no one at home (except for the 11 year old brother) speaks English.
After an intense interrogation the morning after I saw him try to put the iPad into his backpack, I felt drained. ClassKlepto was found temporarily innocent of all charges... and I now had 3 new suspects (provided at random by ClassKlepto). Odd...
An hour later Klepto was interrogated by a colleague (admittedly much more intimidating than I) to whom he quickly (within 3 minutes) confessed that the iPad was at home IN HIS CLOSET!!! Whaaaaattt....
Within a few hours, two of my coworkers had retrieved the iPad from ClassKlepto's closet. While there, they also had the pleasure of meeting Klepto's Mom, Dad AND Brother (all of whom ClassKlepto had claimed were at work or in school).
Flash forward to today. ClassKlepto just spent 2 days in in-school suspension and is now standing in the bus line with ITeachFor. A few seconds later, ClassKlepto is dragged over to me by a colleague with two stuffed toys in hand which ClassKlepto admitted to stealing from the school library. The kid hadn't learned his lesson.
Luckily for me, this week was parent/teacher conference week. Although I doubted that ClassKlepto's family would show up to their appointed time slot... THEY DID. Mom, Klepto AND the English-speaking older brother!
The conference lasted an astounding 40 minutes. I told Mom about Klepto's disruptive behavior in class, steaing etc. - the language barrier was crushed and this woman was now officially "in the loop." Klepto is officially BUSTED.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Sub Troubles
After feeling sick for a few days, I decided to take the day off on Wednesday to rest and recover. I requested a substitute, typed up some thorough sub plans and was quickly relieved to see that someone had taken the job... this should have been my first indication that something was about to go awry "Who in their right mind would watch 32 second graders?!"
I had to go to sleep away my guilt. I was feeling too sick to think much about it.
I slept the whole next day waking up to check my phone... she hadn't called yet, I thought, so things must be fine.
WRRROOOONNNNGGGGG!!!
At 7:44pm I received a call from a friend and coworker ("F&C").
F&C: "How are you feeling?"
Me: "Still not great but feeling a little better now tha-"
F&C: "Just so you know... your kids were TERRIBLE today with the sub. All day they were running down the hallways and I could hear them screaming and yelling from my room. She said they were totally out of control and that 'Iteachfor' stole candy off your desk. I tried to help but..."
Me: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
F&C: "I mean the sub was pretty weird but tomorrow you're really going to need to lay down the law with your kids."
I was panic-stricken. My kids had taken advantage of a elderly woman while I was at home, sick.
After a lengthy conversation with Kristen I had come up with a game plan: SCARE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF THEM. Tomorrow, I would lay down the hammer. Put the fear of GOD into these children. I practiced my speech in my head:
"Today there will be no recess. For ANYONE. What happened yesterday is unacceptable and we will be spending the whole day today talking about RESPECT. In fact, the theme for the rest of the week is respect... the theme for the rest of the YEAR is RESPECT."
Needless to say I stormed out onto the playground at 7:55am to pick up my class... they started screaming my name and running towards me (#stampede)... it was good to be back.
I had to go to sleep away my guilt. I was feeling too sick to think much about it.
I slept the whole next day waking up to check my phone... she hadn't called yet, I thought, so things must be fine.
WRRROOOONNNNGGGGG!!!
At 7:44pm I received a call from a friend and coworker ("F&C").
F&C: "How are you feeling?"
Me: "Still not great but feeling a little better now tha-"
F&C: "Just so you know... your kids were TERRIBLE today with the sub. All day they were running down the hallways and I could hear them screaming and yelling from my room. She said they were totally out of control and that 'Iteachfor' stole candy off your desk. I tried to help but..."
Me: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
F&C: "I mean the sub was pretty weird but tomorrow you're really going to need to lay down the law with your kids."
I was panic-stricken. My kids had taken advantage of a elderly woman while I was at home, sick.
After a lengthy conversation with Kristen I had come up with a game plan: SCARE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF THEM. Tomorrow, I would lay down the hammer. Put the fear of GOD into these children. I practiced my speech in my head:
"Today there will be no recess. For ANYONE. What happened yesterday is unacceptable and we will be spending the whole day today talking about RESPECT. In fact, the theme for the rest of the week is respect... the theme for the rest of the YEAR is RESPECT."
Needless to say I stormed out onto the playground at 7:55am to pick up my class... they started screaming my name and running towards me (#stampede)... it was good to be back.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Recording My Adventures in the Classroom
I was lucky enough to have my parents come to visit me this weekend. After being apart almost 2 months after the start of my new life as a teacher they were full of questions for me about my classroom, my kids and my new life in a new city. Work is usually the last thing I want to talk about on a weekend, but I found myself bursting at the seams to tell them about my students... all 32 of them: what they wanted to be when they grow up, the funny things they've done, and how I've grown to adore each of them.
After 2 months in the classroom, things have begun to settle down (remember... this is a relative term...) and I am finally ready to share.
My adventure started in June when I joined Teach for America. I was placed in Phoenix, Arizona and hired soon after as a second grade teacher in a district in Northern Phoenix. The temperature shock was quickly followed by the reality of my post. My kids were behind far behind academically and even socially. No internet research, summer training or classroom visit would every prepare me for the realities of my own classroom.
"Meet The Teacher Night" was the first time I met my most difficult student who I will call "Iteachfor." This student came in with his Aunt and his 3 cousins... he was bright-eyed and quick to find his new desk and explore the supplies I put on top of it. His Aunt pulled me aside and introduced herself... after a deep breath she explained that she had just become Iteachfor's legal guardian. His dad and mom are both in jail and he had moved in with her family 2 short weeks before. After this brief synopsis of the situation she began to cry "Just... just please give him a chance" she pleaded. I was shocked "Of course I will..." I said. "Just don't give up on him. Please... please, don't give up on him" she said again. I was still in shock... of course I wouldn't give up on him, I thought. I came home to tell my roommate Kristen all the details. "This kid is going to be my 'I teach for' story... the one I'm doing this all for, he's going to make so much growth this year and I will NOT give up on him."
The day after I met Iteachfor and his Aunt I was face-to-face with my new student's behavioral, emotional and academic realities. This 7 year old child was SCREAMING in my newly-decorated classroom... interrupting my classroom bonding activities... totally destroying my FIRST, first day of school as I knew it. Iteachfor was out of his seat, accusing other students of stealing from him or picking on him... he was quickly stealing the show. That day I came home exhausted. I sat down on our new IKEA red couch... debriefed with Kristen and was quick to explain that Iteachfor for was no longer my "I teach for."
Needless to say the last 2 months have opened my eyes into the trials of this young child's life. He was neglected by his troubled parents, only to be adopted by his put-together Aunt (she as a God-sent and an amazing advocate for this child!) after they were both sentenced to long-term prison sentences. Iteachfor craves attention, praise and academic challenges. He has two clear paths he could take in his life, and I am determined to guide him towards the "out of trouble and college-bound" path.
Friday, while Iteachfor was serving his routine recess time (for his continued, but improving behavioral issues) I sat him down and looked him in the eyes. "You know that even though we've had our ups and downs... you know I'm not going to give up on you, right?""I know" he said confidently. We sealed the promise with a pinky swear.
No turning back now.
After 2 months in the classroom, things have begun to settle down (remember... this is a relative term...) and I am finally ready to share.
My adventure started in June when I joined Teach for America. I was placed in Phoenix, Arizona and hired soon after as a second grade teacher in a district in Northern Phoenix. The temperature shock was quickly followed by the reality of my post. My kids were behind far behind academically and even socially. No internet research, summer training or classroom visit would every prepare me for the realities of my own classroom.
"Meet The Teacher Night" was the first time I met my most difficult student who I will call "Iteachfor." This student came in with his Aunt and his 3 cousins... he was bright-eyed and quick to find his new desk and explore the supplies I put on top of it. His Aunt pulled me aside and introduced herself... after a deep breath she explained that she had just become Iteachfor's legal guardian. His dad and mom are both in jail and he had moved in with her family 2 short weeks before. After this brief synopsis of the situation she began to cry "Just... just please give him a chance" she pleaded. I was shocked "Of course I will..." I said. "Just don't give up on him. Please... please, don't give up on him" she said again. I was still in shock... of course I wouldn't give up on him, I thought. I came home to tell my roommate Kristen all the details. "This kid is going to be my 'I teach for' story... the one I'm doing this all for, he's going to make so much growth this year and I will NOT give up on him."
The day after I met Iteachfor and his Aunt I was face-to-face with my new student's behavioral, emotional and academic realities. This 7 year old child was SCREAMING in my newly-decorated classroom... interrupting my classroom bonding activities... totally destroying my FIRST, first day of school as I knew it. Iteachfor was out of his seat, accusing other students of stealing from him or picking on him... he was quickly stealing the show. That day I came home exhausted. I sat down on our new IKEA red couch... debriefed with Kristen and was quick to explain that Iteachfor for was no longer my "I teach for."
Needless to say the last 2 months have opened my eyes into the trials of this young child's life. He was neglected by his troubled parents, only to be adopted by his put-together Aunt (she as a God-sent and an amazing advocate for this child!) after they were both sentenced to long-term prison sentences. Iteachfor craves attention, praise and academic challenges. He has two clear paths he could take in his life, and I am determined to guide him towards the "out of trouble and college-bound" path.
Friday, while Iteachfor was serving his routine recess time (for his continued, but improving behavioral issues) I sat him down and looked him in the eyes. "You know that even though we've had our ups and downs... you know I'm not going to give up on you, right?""I know" he said confidently. We sealed the promise with a pinky swear.
No turning back now.
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