Sunday, March 23

Driving

To the guy I accidentally cut off on the outer ring road on Thursday while driving home from school - sorry.

But was there any need to keep pressing on your horn, raising both middle fingers in a frantic gesture (tsktsk, no hands on wheel) and cursing on me? (I couldn't exactly read your lips, but I strongly doubt you were wishing me a happy Easter)

But then you tail-gated the next vehicle, a little blue truck. Once again you pressed down on the horn and waved your hands while your rap music boomed. I think you are lucky the guy in the blue truck did not slam his breaks. You would have been f**ked.

So you continued on, swerving in and out among the cars in both lanes at high speed. Did you need to pee really bad? Was your favourite show about to start?

A word of advice - relax. I know the word out there is that Sin John's is booming with oil $$, but there is no reason to drive around town like we have a 401.

Monday, March 17

Kid's lyrics to rock songs

I was surfing among the NL Blogroll and came across this video on 'Missing the Rock.' Very funny.

Tuesday, March 4

Teachers vs Society

This week is Education Week. The theme is 'Learn...Respect...Grow.'

That is a kettle of fish, for sure. With that theme in mind, go to VOCM's website (www.vocm.com) and click on question of the week and do the survey about teachers doing duty.

Then read the comments posted by adults. Nasty.

Personally, I don't mind doing lunch duty. And being involved with kids. But the misconception that 'teachers don't work' and 'get paid in the summer for nothing' really bothers me.

And I don't see a change a comin' soon in attitudes.

Saturday, March 1

A Teacher Rants

It is an interesting time, to say the least, to be a teacher.

In the past couple of weeks, Education Minister has compared teachers to police and correction officers after a study on school violence was released. Her justification was that we (teachers) deal with the public. Ah, yes. BUT we deal with some children who are treating like sh*t and our hands are tied. Not ‘lifers’ in the pen.

The question is, “What is mommy and daddy going to do about it?”

A local lawyer stated that an alternative school is needed for all the dropouts in the city – students who can’t handle traditional schools. He also complained that his clients can’t read or write and socially promoting them is wrong.

Yes, socially promoting kids is wrong. It gives a false sense of security to both kids and their parents. If little Johnny can’t read in the warm and fuzzy years of elementary school, and the parents don’t take him to get tested (yes, it is their responsibility, not teachers – once again our hands are tied and we can only suggest testing), how do you think the junior high years are going to be?

Johnny is going to be frustrated, angry, and probably act out and quit. And the parents may say, “I don’t know what to do with him.” He is in Grade 8, but reading at a Grade 4 level. Why stop now. Let’s promote him to Grade 9.

I am not saying that teachers are blameless. It is the time of year that teachers think about who may not pass. I have a couple in my class who probably won’t, but the final say comes down to the parents – once again my hands are tied.