Some call me "Flem"

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I'm an elementary school teacher turned high school English teacher, School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL), and adjunct professor here in Philly. These posts are the views, as I see them, from room 105, my first classroom number. Enjoy, engage, and share!

Friday, September 14, 2012

What happend?

Without getting into too much detail, since the 1st amendment surely limits teachers from blogging about certain topics unless they want to get fired for blogging the truth, I have a question for a certain charter operator. What happened?

I quickly ascertained the cause of particular situation upon viewing the submission of a particular adolescent. It is quite apparent that this particular charter operator is unable to perform the miracles that the business community, politicians, Oprah, the president, and many parents swear they can perform.

That said, I am up to the challenge! I decree that progress will be made! I want to say to this hypothetical (ahem) minor, welcome home! All will be well!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Level the Playing Field...

Imagine two swimmers competing in a race in an intra-company swim-a-thon. One swimmer has nutritionists, a  personal trainer in addition to a phenomenal swim coach and big name sponsors. He comes to the race adorning a company sponsored high quality swim trunk and is ready to compete.

The other swimmer also has a phenomenal swim coach. He comes to the race wearing a company sponsored high quality winter coat and believes he too is ready to compete. The signal is given to begin the race. The two begin to swim.

The swimmer with the trunks wins and the swimmer with the winter coat loses.

The company pulls its sponsorship from the losing swimmer and decides that he needs swimming lessons, drills, tests, and benchmarks from a highly qualified teenage lifeguard before he can compete in a race again.

Meanwhile, the winner of the race is basking in his glory and the company could be no prouder!

O_o



Sunday, September 2, 2012

School Supply List

To begin the school year here's a small list of school supplies:
(this list will be updated throughout the year as various needs arise)

Art teacher
Music teacher
Gymnasium
Counselor
Social Service Organizations
Updated technology including lap top carts
Fresh paint
Greenery
School flags to display school spirit (outside of the school)
tutoring programs
nutritious lunches
morning or afternoon recess in addition to lunch recess
strong discipline policy
NTAs
Emphasis on small class sizes, ESPECIALLY in the early grades
professional respect for teachers

I've undoubtedly missed a few items, but I'll be in contact!


Made In America Concert...

This Labor Day weekend, 2012, Philadelphia is center stage, in the spot light, is concert central for Jay Z's Budweiser Made In America Festival. The event has literally shut down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway!

This post is not about my personal opinion of the genre or of the performers themselves. I'm a teacher, so when I found out what the ticket prices would be (http://www.madeinamericafest.com/ticketing.html) and the number of enthusiastic concert goers they were anticipating, the wheels in my teacher-mind began to spin.

I began to think of how many of the concert goers would be parents of school age children. I began to think of both the responsible and irresponsible parents that would be in attendance. I began to celebrate in my mind, those parents who would spend some of their money to go and enjoy the festivities AND who also made sure that school supplies were purchased, uniforms were updated and clean, the refrigerator and cupboards were well stocked, among the countless other responsibilities that come with the words "It's a boy/girl" (and even prior to....but I digress). I began to respect the fact that these parents can go and have a slammin' good time with the peace of mind that they did right by their children!

Then I thought of those parents who would be in attendance, who may be irresponsible. So many other appropriate adjectives come to mind when describing "those" parents, but I'll be nice......today. I began to think of those hands that will be out, looking for someone to "hook them up" with supplies, uniforms, food, etc. I began to think of the field trips that their children will be invited to attend and the "I don't have the money" notes that undoubtedly will arrive at school. I began to think of the class dues that "we can't afford" which may be $150 for the year (http://www.madeinamericafest.com/ticketing.html). I began to think of this, as the irresponsible parents will shell out $99+ without regrets or second thoughts while the needs of their children go unmet.

Because of the uncertain economic times in which we live, I wouldn't dare make the erroneous assumption that everyone that needs help is being irresponsible! Mais-non! Everyone needs help from time to time. I have no problem with my tax dollars and even my personal dollars going to assist (whenever I can do it responsibly)! Make no mistake! But to those who would spend $150 at a concert and have their children come to school ill-prepared, shame!

To the parents who are parents indeed, balancing your personal pleasure and fun with your roles and responsibilities as caregivers, I applaud you!!! You are phenomenal!! Many of you are single parents making it work and you are to be commended! Many are two-parent households, also struggling to make it work! Sometimes we don't celebrate you enough! So here's to you! {clapping hysterically}

To the other parents who put your looks, your fun, your enjoyment, your relaxation, your needs, you you you, you, you, you, you, above your children, I really hope you change your ways! If not, then I earnestly hope that your children will grow up to be better parents to their children than you were to them! So many have done it!