standing ovation
Standing ovations is what I got today - or very nearly - based on my work on panels. That's from the teachers. The kids, they all kind of huddled like scared little bunnies and whimpered, "Ms. B, I heard you're scary and mean at panel. I never want to get sent." "Good," I brusquely respond.
"Thank you," I heard repeatedly, and "You did a great job." My teachs, they love me today.
Why? Because I kicked about 60 kids out of school. Oh, not permanently - they can all come back next month if they show up and do their work for the next five weeks. But in the past, first time at the panel was usually a warning, and instead yesterday we took our task seriously - so when one of my students who hasn't done jack responded to my question why she should get a second chance with, "Because it's my first time here," I only laughed - and checked the "GED" box and said "next."
Mr. Principal Man was unhappy and even yelled at us and I stayed calm and pointed out our reasoning. When he accused us of not having standardized treatment, I clearly refuted him as he got louder and walked out. And we didn't change our minds. (He does not acknowledge my existence - I must just blow his mind, that a young woman would not do whatever he yells at her.)
One other teacher today said I'm made of steel and asked if I would come to do negotiations with them. (The union is negotiating now, and I'll probably get at least an extra $1,000 this year from that.)
I am tough, and mean. One kid said he was trying to like fake cry last time and, he told the other kids, "And Ms. B, she wasnt havin none of that shit." True dat.
But the kids who survived, they are beyond grateful and we do little smiles at each other. And the kids I sent to GED last term, several are back now and they're in my class and they are doing totally awesome.
I think it's a good reality check for them, because once they turn 18 they will be kicked out and it's hard to get into adult school and it doesn't count the same as a diploma. Instead, they spend a month at GED prep with a total asshole and they come back often on track. This one kid was in GED for long time after years of fucking up high school, but I tell you - despite this really strange and annoying habit of making strange noises (and his boy's name is spelled like a girl's), he is quickly becoming a little fave of mine. He and another GED-grad sit in the back and work their little paws off. Today the other one said, "See, we talk, but we do our work," and as I said, "You've not ever been in trouble with me because I see that and I appreciate it." And the first one said, "Essays, I'm weak. I need some help," and I said, "My friend, this is why you're in my class. Please, let me help."
The GED teacher is unbelievable. He came in with our penultimate kid and he laid into him about what a worthless piece of shit he is and how he won't ever allow the kid to set foot in his classroom, blah blah blah. The kid - who I was hell-bent on shipping to GED because of all the teachers' comments - held it together and we gave him a second chance (the principal will handle it personally), and then today I told all the teachers that it was GED teacher's fault.
Man, he's unbelievable. If I had known the kid, I probably would have jumped down his throat. Instead, I said, "You'll need to work it out with Mr. Principal Man" and cut him off.
Because I'm not just mean to kids fucking up - it's the same for fuck-up teachers.
Kids that I didn't even know were approaching me yesterday, begging for mercy. Some sent girlfriends and boyfriends to talk to me.
But there are far worse things than to be known as the strict teacher, who has high expectations and doesn't buy bullshit.
My only regret is that it is my last panel - there's no way Mr. Principal Man will let me do it again because I don't give a shit about what he wants. I do it from a teacher perspective, which is different than the principal's (it has to be), and then he has to deal with parents and kids begging for a second chance.
Like I said, let them talk to me. I can handle it. Because I'm the mean one. This one kid kept begging for a 2nd chance and I was like Buddy, this school is your second chance and you effed it up. You made empty promises to me and just because you've been great for two days - it doesn't make up for the past 7 weeks. I'm sorry - Not So Stupid. And we didn't care if parents came - same verdicts.
I have 85% really great kids who need this school as a second chance to get on-track - and dammit - I'm not going to let a few bad apples spoil it for them.
"Thank you," I heard repeatedly, and "You did a great job." My teachs, they love me today.
Why? Because I kicked about 60 kids out of school. Oh, not permanently - they can all come back next month if they show up and do their work for the next five weeks. But in the past, first time at the panel was usually a warning, and instead yesterday we took our task seriously - so when one of my students who hasn't done jack responded to my question why she should get a second chance with, "Because it's my first time here," I only laughed - and checked the "GED" box and said "next."
Mr. Principal Man was unhappy and even yelled at us and I stayed calm and pointed out our reasoning. When he accused us of not having standardized treatment, I clearly refuted him as he got louder and walked out. And we didn't change our minds. (He does not acknowledge my existence - I must just blow his mind, that a young woman would not do whatever he yells at her.)
One other teacher today said I'm made of steel and asked if I would come to do negotiations with them. (The union is negotiating now, and I'll probably get at least an extra $1,000 this year from that.)
I am tough, and mean. One kid said he was trying to like fake cry last time and, he told the other kids, "And Ms. B, she wasnt havin none of that shit." True dat.
But the kids who survived, they are beyond grateful and we do little smiles at each other. And the kids I sent to GED last term, several are back now and they're in my class and they are doing totally awesome.
I think it's a good reality check for them, because once they turn 18 they will be kicked out and it's hard to get into adult school and it doesn't count the same as a diploma. Instead, they spend a month at GED prep with a total asshole and they come back often on track. This one kid was in GED for long time after years of fucking up high school, but I tell you - despite this really strange and annoying habit of making strange noises (and his boy's name is spelled like a girl's), he is quickly becoming a little fave of mine. He and another GED-grad sit in the back and work their little paws off. Today the other one said, "See, we talk, but we do our work," and as I said, "You've not ever been in trouble with me because I see that and I appreciate it." And the first one said, "Essays, I'm weak. I need some help," and I said, "My friend, this is why you're in my class. Please, let me help."
The GED teacher is unbelievable. He came in with our penultimate kid and he laid into him about what a worthless piece of shit he is and how he won't ever allow the kid to set foot in his classroom, blah blah blah. The kid - who I was hell-bent on shipping to GED because of all the teachers' comments - held it together and we gave him a second chance (the principal will handle it personally), and then today I told all the teachers that it was GED teacher's fault.
Man, he's unbelievable. If I had known the kid, I probably would have jumped down his throat. Instead, I said, "You'll need to work it out with Mr. Principal Man" and cut him off.
Because I'm not just mean to kids fucking up - it's the same for fuck-up teachers.
Kids that I didn't even know were approaching me yesterday, begging for mercy. Some sent girlfriends and boyfriends to talk to me.
But there are far worse things than to be known as the strict teacher, who has high expectations and doesn't buy bullshit.
My only regret is that it is my last panel - there's no way Mr. Principal Man will let me do it again because I don't give a shit about what he wants. I do it from a teacher perspective, which is different than the principal's (it has to be), and then he has to deal with parents and kids begging for a second chance.
Like I said, let them talk to me. I can handle it. Because I'm the mean one. This one kid kept begging for a 2nd chance and I was like Buddy, this school is your second chance and you effed it up. You made empty promises to me and just because you've been great for two days - it doesn't make up for the past 7 weeks. I'm sorry - Not So Stupid. And we didn't care if parents came - same verdicts.
I have 85% really great kids who need this school as a second chance to get on-track - and dammit - I'm not going to let a few bad apples spoil it for them.
posted by NOLA at 2:10 PM
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