Positively moving forward

[awest1217]

Frustrated today about school and the politics of it. I have a classroom that can hold 30 students. I had 29 chairs and 1 busted one. I get a note saying that the busted one was welded (now it sits slanted and the weld looks like it is going to break). My students have to deal with it because there is no money to buy new chairs, however they are thinking about buying iPads for the science department when we don't even know if there will be enough bandwidth to support them to use them properly...my students have to be uncomfortable in twisted chairs because the money is going to better technology that may not even work.

Half the time our internet is down (at least once a week). My computer has said for over a week that it is not safe because the virus detector is not working properly and IT hasn't come to fix it so why spend thousands of dollars on new technology when we can't even buy a $50 new chair. The chairs are probably 30 years old so why not?

Then on top off all of that, my principal used something I said during lunch in the wrong way to help his agenda. I let a couple of students use their iPods to type their notes, but they noticed that it wasn't helpful so they went back to good old pen and paper. He said I let everyone do it all the time. UGH!

Lastly, I have a class of 30 students, mostly repeaters, and a fellow teacher who is teaching the exact same class 5th hour has only 15. How is that right? These kids need more one on one attention that I cannot give them in a class of 30, but they won't switch the kid to 5th hour because it might mess up an elective. I am all for the arts, but when a kid has failed a class numerous times, the elective goes to put the kid in the best placement for him/her. It may not be what they want, but at some point the students have to start feeling the pain of them choosing to fail classes (not getting extra help, skipping, not turning in extra assignments, only giving the bare minimum until right before it counts, etc). We need to do what is best for the kids to learn, not what they want. That right there is what is wrong with public education. TOO MUCH emphasis on what the kids want instead of what is best for their learning. Less money and bigger classes won't help that. We need to go back to smaller classes that are fun because with fun comes learning.

Anyway now off my rant.

Other thing on my mind, I read on the news this morning that something happened in H's corporation and I automatically thought "I wonder if H is involved". I can't say on here what the situation is, but it is horrible that I would think that H is capable of causing problems, but this is right up his alley. It is something he could very well have done and that scares me. I would like to talk to H about it because I think it is something we need to talk about because it is about trust, but at the same time, I think I should probably just leave it alone.

H text last night to check on S. I had to ask H if he could stay home with S yesterday if it was needed since it was the first day of my new trimester. He said he would, but S didn't need to. S is still coughing a bit, but it is much better and not keeping him up all night. Then later H asked about his Harry Potter DVDs. I said I didn't want them and told him all of his things he could get at any time because they are boxed up and ready (all said very respectfully and nicely). Then I asked if he would give back my Divorce Remedy book and the book on forgiveness I got and let him read called Love Honor Forgive. I want them so if I ever has someone who needs help and before I get into another serious relationship. I have been to refer to or let someone borrow. I also asked if he wanted any of the stuffed animals he gave me. I kept a few of them that were especially sentimental, but the rest I am going to give to charity. H never got back to me. I don't get that either. He asks about stuff and I respond. I ask and he just never responds...what is up?

Anyway I now feel better getting that all off my chest. Things are actually really good with me. I feel very happy and content right now. I am very excited that next week at this time I will be on my last day of school for the week. I definitely need a longer vacation to have some me time and just relax like I did last weekend.