Yesterday morning I had a call from the French teacher who wanted to know if a student had a doctor’s note in my files on him for not being able to write because he had a cast on his right arm. I told her that I hadn’t seen anything come across my desk pertaining to him, but that I would call mom to find out if she turned one in to the school. If so, I would need to contact all his teachers to assign him a scribe to make sure that something was getting written down. Even if it was a scan-tron test, he’d be able to bubble in the little circles, I figured.
As soon as I hung up, Right Arm Cast Boy showed up at my door wanting to switch from French to Spanish for his elective.
Why do you want to change? You realize that you’ll still have to put SOMEthing on paper, right? You can’t go another 5 weeks with producing nothing, so can you try?
Sure. But I still want to switch.
Ok. Take this form home and get it signed. If your mom says you can change, then I’ll change your schedule. But I hope this is because you really just want to take Spanish and not get out of a class where the teacher has asked you to try. Do you see where I’m going with this?
Yes, ma’am.
Oh, good. You said “ma’am” so I’m confident you are a lovely young man. Now, what number do I call to contact your mother?
After he left my office I called his mom and she said that, no, in fact he did not have a note nor would he need one. His cast is on his right arm. He’s LEFT HANDED.
I’m not sure if I should be more upset about that one or the next call from a teacher that I got. This one wanted me to know that there are 5 kids in her class who are problem students (we’ve been in school 4 days so far) who don’t seem to have the ability level to be in the Honors class they were placed in and wanted to know if we could move them.
Tell me their names and I’ll look into that.
As I began writing down their names I realized that I recognized every one of them. They came from the middle school I just transferred from and I’ve known them for the past three years. As I was writing down the second name I feared that the rest of the names she would give me would be students who all had the same thing in common.
I hate when I’m right. I really really do.
Which of those rookie mistakes should I despise more? The kid who snowed me into thinking he couldn’t write when clearly he could or the fact that a teacher is second-guessing kids put into her class who have been placed in an Honors class by their former teachers as well as by testament of their test scores simply because of race?
My Come to Jesus List just got longer.
So did my I’ll Never Do That Again List.
August 30, 2007 @ 5:21 am | Filed under Education | Permalink |
KC Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 6:39 am
Damn! I would never have been able to get away with that excuse when I was in school!!! Now you know tho… keep an eye on him!
Mistakes are only opportunities for growth and learning… Today… you are a little smarter wrt this young man…
Have a great long weekend!
KC
VENTL8R Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 6:39 am
I’d have to go with the punk-ass kid who duped me. You know the other three and their motives and could probably do a decent job shaming them.
And lemme tell ya, drinking coffee right after eating fresh pineapple is not recommended. Ranks right up there with drinking orange juice after having just brushed your teeth.
Kim Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 7:31 am
I would probably be more upset with the child who tried to put one over on me:o) At least you know to double check what he tells you in the future.
You know why the teacher talked with you about those children and since you are familiar with them it should give you a little background to have her try a little harder with them. I would be upset with the teacher if all the ones she complained about were of the same race, it would make me wonder if she would be trying as hard to help them succeed if they stay in her class as the other students.
Shigeta Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 8:53 am
I love tricky kid with that arm business. Good this happened pretty early in the school year. That was a good heads up to the High School Tricksters which are different from the Middle School Shenanigans and the Elementary Foolishness…..I have names for everything.
Shame on the teacher. On the one hand as a minority I try to give the school administrators the benefit of the doubt, but she tipped her hand when all 5 kids were minorities. Hmmmm she will bear watching.
School started for Jr (5th) last week and as I always do I sent his teacher an introductory email giving him FYIs regarding Jr and talked about how I view my kids’ education as a partnership between us and them (teachers) he wrote me a lengthy email in return in which he showed appreciation BUT HE ADDRESSES ME BY MY FIRST NAME. I DON’T KNOW YOU LIKE THAT. If I address you as Mr. or Ms. such and sucha, please do the same…that ran on didn’t it?
Tiggerlane Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 10:00 am
The teacher would upset me the most…is she judging?
As for the kid - that’s classic, isn’t it? Good thing you followed up and called the parent.
VENTL8R Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Oh yes, I forgot to comment on the disparity of our posts; you post about sneaky kids and shifty teachers.
Me? Today’s hot topic is on “Banana Hammocks.”
hannita Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:28 am
That teacher really pisses me off. The kid not so much. He’s trying to learn boundaries, figuring out what he can get away with and how much sympathy he can get from his cast. He’ll learn it’s not much. But the teacher should know better. but the teacher? No excuse. For some reason these kids were placed in a honor’s level class, perhaps performance level prior to getting to her class?? Test scores?? Teacher has know them for all of four days.
Give ‘em hell Kelly.
Isn’t back to school fun?
Lady M Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Now I’m dying to know if that teacher helps those five kids succeed. And if Cast Kid’s mom busts him at home.
KC Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Sorry - I never commented on the teacher situation… I wonder why some teachers (I said SOME) think that if a student questions the teachings… challenges the authority behind them that they are deemed TROUBLESOME???? What’s worst is if these five kids are the only racially different students in the entire classroom… then I truly would have to question her basis and views towards diversity.
I really hope this is a misunderstanding or a genuine case of troublesome students… not a race issue. I really hope it isn’t…
RWA Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
I have to agree with some of the others.
I personally wouldn’t have a problem with the broken arm thing as much as I WOULD HAVE A TREMENDOUS PROBLEM with the teacher claiming the students didn’t have what it took to make it in her class.
WSG Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Are you sure the teacher is singling out kids based on race? Are there other kids of that race in the class who are doing fine? Perhaps these five kids are just overwhelmed with high school and it’s a coincidence that they are the same race. Could you call in each of the kids to discuss their performance with them in person and make sure they are really up to speed? Racism is ugly, and although it’s sadly common I’d want to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. If you find that they are qualified for the honors class, then have a talk with the teacher (and probably with the students too, because this is unlikely to be the only time they face racism). Good luck… I don’t envy you your job.
RW Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Personally I’d put the broken arm kid in the Honors Class. Takes a lot of creativity to get everybody to buy that, and he pulled it off! I’d say that deserves an extra credit!
$10 says he’s the one who becomes the biggest success story in life!
Lovebabz Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
My vote goes to the teacher. She is by far more dangerous even if she doesn’t know it. The kid with the cast is just funny–ha ha. The teacher, hmm that requires some re-thinking and serious re-educating. Tread lightly.
Don't Eat My Buchela! Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
The kid is just that. A kid. The teacher? She affects student’s lives.
Tom Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
I took two years of French in high school because I thought I was going to get the guts to ask some girl out who was in the class, what a DORK! Now I’m stuck using the Rosetta Stone trying to learn some Spanish.
tanilan Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
I’d be mad about the teacher! She hasn’t even given them a chance. Congrats on the new job. I still wish you would come to my school. We could really use you!
Much Love
Tricia Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Wondering what the rest of the class look like, and what, specifically, was the teacher complaining about?
Janice Said,
August 30, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
Gotta give credit where credit is due and that’s to the kid with the broken arm…:)
As far as the teacher with the list of kids, how can she determine on the fourth day of school that they don’t belong in her class? Give me a freaking break.
Kale Said,
August 31, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Yeah, I totally agree. That kid is smart. Stupid, but smart.
The teacher shouldn’t have a job.
MizAngie Said,
August 31, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Amazing. Absolutely amazing that in 2007 we still have people in public education so bigoted they would hold a kid back because of race. And, lo and behold, they’re not in the deep South. Do you leave the kids where they deserve to be knowing that they’re gonna catch hell all year, or do you give the bigot her way and move ‘em somewhere else? I can’t WAIT to hear what you said to the teacher…
Daisy Said,
September 1, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
The teacher bears watching. The kid with the cast? Maybe he’ll end up on Comedy Central someday — or in Special Ops, tricking our enemies instead of his teacher.
Lisse Said,
September 2, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
Been reading a while, but I’m not sure if I’ve commented before. I’m just dying to know if the teacher has any other students of the same race in her class that she didn’t call out. And, yes, I’d love to know what you said to the teacher.
The kid - well that’s the kind of thing it’s almost fun to catch them at.
Mocha Momma Said,
September 2, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
Great comments by all and now that I’ve realized I haven’t been back to answer, I shall do so now:
The 5 Black Boys came to Jesus with me last week. They were difficult conversations that I felt comfortable having because I know them and I prodded and pushed them to bring their A game. They have agreed and I will check on them to see that they do.
To answer WSG, I don’t know if there are other students “doing just fine” in class yet because it’s far too soon to tell - part of the point I was making. If they had been in class a few weeks and she had assessed them fairly then I would gladly look at the data she has to prove that they were incorrectly placed.
Come To Jesus for Teacher happens next week. Stay tuned.
Loralee Said,
September 3, 2007 @ 9:38 am
I’m dying to know what happened to broken arm kid. The racial assumption made me nauseated. Totally nauseated. I hope the boys continue to thrive and do well.
Loralee Said,
September 3, 2007 @ 9:39 am
WOAH! Your blog gets the award for “Coolest comment posting process”!
That is the bomb diggity to watch!