{{{Gris}}} The first year is SO tough. SO tough. I wish I had some advice, but we're here, and we're listening and we're pulling for you. I'll be thinking about you today.
I believe in you.
I am not...I am not the damsel in distress. I am not some case. I have to work this. I've lived in a cave for 5 years in a world where they killed my kind like cattle. I am not going to be cut down by some monster flu. I am better than that. What a wonder...how very scared I am.
Fred ,'A Hole in the World'
Spike's Bitches 34: They're All Slime and Antlers
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risque (and frisque), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
vw bug - Jan 19, 2007 1:52:33 am PST #1638 of 10001
Mostly lurking...
sj - Jan 19, 2007 1:57:47 am PST #1639 of 10001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
(((Gris))) What vw said, and tons of -ma.
Topic!Cindy - Jan 19, 2007 2:03:20 am PST #1640 of 10001
What is even happening?
Oh, Gris. I'm so sorry.
Cashmere - Jan 19, 2007 2:04:01 am PST #1641 of 10001
Now tagless for your comfort.
{{{Gris}}} Hang in there.
beth b - Jan 19, 2007 2:43:04 am PST #1642 of 10001
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!
{{Gris}}so sorry - between your year and Emily's year I'm really surprised at how many teachers make it past the first year. I wish I had real words of advice.
sj - Jan 19, 2007 3:06:44 am PST #1643 of 10001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
There is snow on the ground, and I have to admit it does look quite pretty. Plus, it is not enough to cause any real trouble right now.
Gris - Jan 19, 2007 3:17:01 am PST #1644 of 10001
Hey. New board.
It's snowing, and I had Chai. I should feel better. But... I don't.
I still have no idea what I'm going to do in my classes. We're having a town meeting with all the students at the beginning of the day, discussing yesterday, and how the year is going, and what's good and what's bad with the environment. And I know I'm going to cry, because I'm crying right now, and I don't know if that will humanize me or make me appear weak. And then i have to teach three 40-minute classes. I think maybe I'll just give them the quiz again, with me there to proctor it, but I just know that most of them will fail, and we have 2 weeks left to the end of the semester, and I can't fail them all because then they risk being held back, and statistics show that most NYC high school kids that fail a year end up dropping out, and I want them to succeed and go to college, not drop out because they can't pass math.
brenda m - Jan 19, 2007 3:25:32 am PST #1645 of 10001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
Oh, ugh. I hope the day goes better than expected, Gris. Can you do the quiz as an open book kind of thing, maybe, and hopefully get them to ask questions or at least, you know, try?
Cashmere - Jan 19, 2007 3:28:01 am PST #1646 of 10001
Now tagless for your comfort.
I think maybe I'll just give them the quiz again, with me there to proctor it, but I just know that most of them will fail, and we have 2 weeks left to the end of the semester, and I can't fail them all because then they risk being held back, and statistics show that most NYC high school kids that fail a year end up dropping out, and I want them to succeed and go to college, not drop out because they can't pass math.
Gris, I'm sorry this is so heartbreaking for you. I know this may not make you feel any better (and I'm sure you already know this) but you're NOT a bad teacher. You just can't be responsible for the outcome of some of your students, no matter how badly you want them to succeed. There's only so much you can do in a 40 minute class and I'm sure there are deeper issues at work. You do the best you can and get through to as many students as you can. That in itself is a measure of success.
Giving them the quiz again is being generous. But at least you can let them know that you KNOW they cheated and that they can't always get away with it.
vw bug - Jan 19, 2007 3:33:23 am PST #1647 of 10001
Mostly lurking...
Giving them the quiz again is being generous. But at least you can let them know that you KNOW they cheated and that they can't always get away with it.
I completely agree. I think this is important.
In smiley news, Toto being a total goof: [link]