another educator's delima

You know there's alot of things that are just frankly pissing me off right now. It may not be right for me to say it this way or to just write it for all the world to see but oh well. Something has gotta change. For those of you that don't know I am a teacher. I love my job, serously. No I'm not crazy (as those of you who have teenagers are asking I'm sure). It's the most awesome rewarding job and as hard as it is at times, I love it!

HOWEVER; if you want to know what's wrong with the world today take a look in our classrooms. Some people may have made this connection, but the problem is worse than than many realize. Let me explain, many of people believe that our problems began when we took God out of our schools. I believe it goes alot farther than that. Many laws that teacher must follow no longer hold a child accountable for their actions. That is a tragedy for our future. Teachers see this is causing a problem; however, we can't change it. Unfortunately we are on the wrong side of that wall.

For those of you that do not know; in Texas, you cannot give a student less than a 50 for a six weeks grade. Translation, a child can sit in a classroom and do absolutely nothing and still get half the credit. Granted that is a failing grade; however, they can do that a couple of six weeks, and still pass as long as they have a 70 at the end of the year. Question? If I never do my work at my job do I still get half a paycheck? This is the message we send children; you get something for nothing...you get a 50. Growing up we knew if you did nothing you recieved nothing; when did that change? It hasn't in life outside a classroom, so why is it taught in our school system?

My next rant is attendence. A student in high school can show up and leave by 10:15 and is counted present for the day. Does this mean I can leave my job at 10:15 and not loose my paycheck? It gets even better. A student can miss up to 10 days is supose to fail; however, a school can allow them to make up absences in detention after school to keep from failing....can I miss 11 days of work, stay late one day and not get fired????

Here is my point, if your missing it, we teach our children that they can half ass do the work, scrape by in school and that's ok. However we are shocked when they can't manage to make it in college or hold a job. How can we expect them to make it in the real world when we did not teach them they are accountable for their actions? We fail to teach them that there is a consequence for your actions and sometimes it means you have to do the job all over again. Growing up I had teachers I hated because they held me accountable for my work; they didn't grade on a curve or cut me slack because I was not the best reader or only an average student. They held me to the same expectations of my classmates. I coudn't not stand them as a student; however, as I got older I had a deeper appreciation for them. If it were not for them I would not be the person I am today. I can still hear my 6th grade social studies teacher tell me "if you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?" Students don't hear that enough in today's world.

How in the world will a child learn to work hard and be sucessful when they are 20 if they were never taught how to work hard when they were younger?

What I miss

Why am I always the last to know or the last to figure something out? Why am I so restless in my life. Most people are happy going to work, coming home, walking the dog, going to they gym and the grocery store then back home. I'm not...I never have been...I'm so restless here. For those who don't know about a year and a half ago I decided to leave Houston and start teaching at a school in my home town. I went from metro city life to extremely small town life. I do love where I'm from afterall, it's home. I like to visit here...that is it's appeal...it's my roots but I've outgrown this place and need to spread out more. I miss Houston. I miss the city and the lights and the noise. I miss having somewhere to go late at night other than a bar. I miss being able to walk downtown and listen to the traffic on the freeway. I miss all of it...I love home and will visit often but i'm ready to move on and be back in the city...somewhere...not sure if its Houston another state or what but I miss it that excitement alot. *SIGH*

It's Been A While

I have not written in forever. I told my best friend the other night that I don't make sence when I'm not writing. Evidently even he realizes that. He informed me that he can tell by my mood how long it has been since I have written anything. I wanted to slap him and ask him then why don't you ever say anything....sometimes I just can't think of anything.....I know he would reply that I could never be at a lost for words but yes I could.

I'm going to try to start writing more. I hope my muse comes to me. I have been playing around in my journal but i'm not posting that yet it's still too rough...very rough...anyway...cheers and here's to a good year and lots of inspiration to write about.

I saw you last night

I saw you last night

I could hear your laugh and feel the warmth of your smile.

I saw you last night.

I gave you a hug you were really there.

I saw you last night

When I saw you last night.

it was as if you never were gone.

I saw you last night.

We were lauughing, giggling and gosiping.

I saw you last night.

I felt your hair to make sure you were real.

I saw you last night

I thought you were a dream

I saw you last night

It was like that night never happened

I saw you last night.

and for a moment my world stood still

I saw you last night

and for a brief second this hole in my soul was gone.

I saw you last night.

And this morning you were still gone.

For Sonny

For Sonny
Cherrish every moment. don't
ever let anything go unsaid...as long as it's worth saying...

you always had a smile and a hug
your laughter filled a room.
i met you when life was simple
and we lived for the moment
times that we all may secretly wish to go back to....

I remember the day I met you, I thought....how in the world is he tiger's brother...you guys were so different yet so much the same....looking at
me and my sister now it all makes sence.

i'll always remember that night when you got that tat...I think we were sitting in the merle bruce dorm room and cherry used a needle and indian ink...i thought that was the baddest tat i'd ever seen. i still think about that thing when someone talks about tattoos.
i'll remember the day you told me you wanted to marry becca....i was so excited for her... i knew she would flip....
i remember wishing i could go to utah for the wedding. i remember talking to you guys in pheonix....i remember when you came home.....the sound in your voice.....talking to you at the hopsital....i remember when you realized life goes on and you came to nac with tiger....I went and watched you guys play ball. I never though about it till now but i'll never forget that ball game now or the ride in your jeep...it's kinda funny i own one now...maybe that jeep obsession is your fault too (not just my dads) even though i never thought about it...till now...I tried to find you guys when i moved to houston...i never had any luck...that was the first time ever i couldn't find either of you...

it's funny how life goes on but people stay with you in your heart forever...you and tiger were both that way for me. You guys just had a way of making my day better. God dropped you guys in my life only for a second but you changed me for good.


i remember....i'll always remember.......

heavens a better place with you but this place just doesn't seem the same knowing your not here...

For Granny Bess

For those of you who know me Granny Bess passed away last night. She was not my "real" grandmother but she was the closest thing to one i'd had since elementary school. When my grandmother died; she took me to Houston to spend the week with her. She is probably why I call Houston home and why I miss it when I'm not there. She was a fighter. For those who don't know her she was 98 years old and sharp as a tack. She remembered so many things. I remember listening to her talk about old friends who had gone before her. Listening to her tell stories and make us laugh. We miss you granny bess and we will always love you. Save me a seat I'll see you on the otherside. Love.
Robin

Candy Cane Story