So here's the good:
The kids are great. They treat me well, and I don't have much in the way of management problems. They all have computers so I don't have a lot of paper-printing to do. They almost always have their materials-- I don't have to worry about kids not having a pencil or paper. The teachers aren't gossipy or mean. I get along with all of them. None of them are idiots. The building and facilities are beautiful. I feel safe when I'm there. I don't worry about kids getting prego or selling pot in the bathroom or packing weapons in their pants. More parents are active but respectful.
And here's....well, I'll let you judge.
1. They didn't think the state standards were good enough. So, instead of taking them, adding a few standards and upping rigor.... They ordered a series of textbooks and went page by page. Creating the standards. From a textbook.
2. They also created their own benchmark assessments. Instead of people in the district office doing it, or hiring an outside company. So, all of the teachers have the exact tests that the kids will be taking. So, many teachers show the kids the EXACT pictures or questions from the tests (sans answers), and have them analyze them/teach them the tricky questions BEFORE taking the test. And then they pat themselves on the back when the kids do well.
3. Kids can't talk in the hallways. Kids can't talk when they transition between classes. Kids can't sit with their friends at lunch. If a kid misses something small like a belt, they are given an automatic detention. Ditto for talking in the halls. Ditto for gum chewing or any form of food. (Yes, I know. Crack down on the small, and you crack down on the large. Broken windows theory. I get it. But at some point, isn't it all just a little too much? I mean, they are MIDDLE SCHOOLERS). There are no second chances. Unless you're one of the few naughties. Then, you get millions of chances and your "suspension" consists of you sitting in the teacher workroom and eating all of our snacks, and having happy-happy-daffodils-and-kittens talks about your rehabilitation.
4. Instead of calling parents whenever a kid is being a punkass in class, you have to tell the kid's adviser. Then, this person has to make all the calls, do all the meetings etc. So, if I have advisees who have no problems in my class, but problems in others, I have to do everything. And if I want to talk to a parent directly, I'm not supposed to.
5. The technology doesn't work. We run out of paper. Copy machines don't work. We can't get materials for the kids to do real science with, but we are told we can. And then we get a passive aggressive answer instead of a straight up no. And we can't raise money to get things with our kids.
Add to these, personal affronts.
I have been personally ridiculed when my group of girls didn't perform a skit as well as they "should have." Even though getting them to work TOGETHER was huge, and a bonding experience, that didn't matter. In front of everyone, myself and my girls were told that we weren't prepared, and that we were wasting everyone's time.
I have been told I shouldn't tease my kids, because the kids don't understand the difference between playful teasing and bullying, and that my behavior creates bullies.
I have been told that I can't give nicknames, because it might hurt a kid's feelings. And what happens if they don't like a nickname?
I have been told that, even though its clear that I'm not racist, that a stupid comment taken out of context belongs in my permanent file and that I need to write an essay on my choices.
I am told over and over again that my "presentations aren't everything" and that I should just be taking materials from other people (even if it sucks), because the lesson plans are more important than the materials, apparently. And lesson plans? Due way before we teach. So, then I write them, then don't follow them because things just CHANGE, then have to rewrite them.
You know those movies where there's this beautiful town, and a new family moves in? They look at the perfect grass and houses and sunny skies and though everything looks SO perfect.... but something just feels off? There's some little detail that one notices, but brushes off like-- why are there no birds here? Oh, never mind. And then, when they're all settled in, all hell breaks looks and they realize they are actually in the seventh circle?
Yep.
Welcome to my world, little bluebirds.
