Category: Learnin’ ‘Em Kids

I teach. Most of these posts are password-protected.

Om Shanti

A year ago November, I receive word that I didn’t pass my National Board certification. I miss it by 0.006 of a point.

6/1,000.

Six-thousandths.

No 12% raise for me. Not for at least a year.

Last March, I redo one section of the test, and a few months ago, I get the news that I passed. Yes! Whew. I live a modest life. I’m no spendthrift. I just want to buy a new chair for my living room.

In December, I consult my payroll secretary, and she informs me that (despite the fact that I was told in the interview that “we keep up with the Durham Public Schools’ salary schedule”) my school doesn’t pay the National Boards supplement.

I’m disappointed, naturally, and let my administration know that I’ll be seeking a position elsewhere for the 2011-2012 school year. Then Violet tears up her knee, and I think, “You know what would help pay for this surgery? Twelve fucking percent.”

I’ve had a difficult year at this school, between writing all the curriculum, planning lessons, making do with fewer resources, and dealing with some really special kids. And I decide, you know what?, I’m done. I look online; I see an open Durham Public Schools (who would pay the 12%) position; I apply; I interview; I get it. I never thought I would be the teacher who left in the middle of the year, but there you have it.

Then the exact same day Human Resources sends me my start date for my new job, I get an email from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards saying, hey, you may want to contact your State Senators and Representatives because they’re trying to cut your supplement from the budget.

I start my new job on Monday.

It’s times like these I try to remember that one day the sun is going to burn out and none of this shit is going to matter.

Not a Geometric Term, But Correct Nonetheless

I made up this game for my fourth graders to reinforce math vocabulary. I call it Quiz Show. Here’s how to play:

  • One player from each team goes and stands at the front of the classroom.
  • I read a definition.
  • The first kid to slap the floor and pop back up gets called on.
  • That player gives me the vocabulary word that fits the definition. Correct: 1 point. Incorrect: 0 points, and the next person who hits the floor gets to answer, and so on.
  • Next players go up.
  • Repeat.
  • Play continues to 10 points, or until math period is over and it’s time for snack, or until you guys are getting too rowdy and we need to bring it down a notch don’t blame me y’all were the ones who were making so much noise there are other classes in this building you know!

Today we were doing some geometry review. You’ll need to know the following definitions for the next part to make sense: (1) face-the flat side of a 3D figure, and (2) edge-the line created where two faces come together.

Me: A [blank] is where two faces meet.

Nowell: A kiss!

Happy Valentine’s Day!