Why I hate Dekalb County School System

I was going to the gym the other day and I passed some protesters that were holding signs that said Dekalb county Sux!  I must admit I waved and beeped my horn in agreement.  Every year the teachers and students suffer while waiting to get enough teachers to bring the classroom sizes down to normal.  The students suffer because they have been put into the wrong level class or the class sizes are not leveled. One poor student in my class has been to 4 different biology classes in 4 weeks.

A teacher I know has 51 students in her class and I have off that period.  I have offered to teach extended day which means I lose a planning period.  I really don't want to, but I know she needs me to so I will.  The county will not give the OK for me to teach extended day.  So that teacher just has to suffer.

I know of another teacher that is already teaching extended day.  She never signed any contract for this extra class and the system is planning to get a new teacher for the  math department.  Believe me- they will give the new teacher this class and they will not pay this brand new teacher for teaching this extra class for the past 4 weeks.  That sucks and there is nothing we as teachers can do about it.

This is just one of my grips about our county.  Some lazy asshole sits in the county office and decides what hoops the teacher will jump through this year. And by the way- when they want something done it has a deadline.  There is never a dead line when the students and teachers are suffering.

I know of several teachers that haven't had air conditioning since the beginning of August.  We are in a big, beautiful new building- the window do not open. It is just plain criminal to put 40 students in a room with no air when the temp. outside is over 90.  Nobody ( in authority) gives a shit. 

Teachers are constantly reminded about being professional.  Would a law firm stay open if they had no air?  Would lawyers  be given 25 minute lunches?  Would they be expected to dress professionally when they had to work in 95 degree court rooms?  Think about it.  If you want America to come back as a world leader- we need students to learn.  We need classroom sizes of less than 36.  We need to allow teachers the time to actually be successful at their jobs.

Yes- every school has it lemons- fire them!!!!  If someone is cursing in class, being flirtatious with the students, not teaching the curriculum or not trying to be an innovative teacher- fire the bastards!  Talk to them as individuals.  Don't blame the whole staff for 3 fuck ups!

Yes I am mad and I am not going to take it anymore! So Dekalb county- grow a pair please!

Buckner's redemption

For those of you that didn't understand last nights episode of Curb your Enthusiasm- Let me explain.  In 1986 the Mets were in the World Series with the Boston Red Sox.  The Mets were down 3-2 and had come back  and were in the sixth game, tied in extra innings.  Mookie Wilson from the Mets hit a give me dribbler down the first base line and Bill Buckner made an error and the Mets won game six.  They came back and won the seventh game and won the World series.  I watched every game of the World series that year.  The Miracle Mets were the reason I was up at one every night and very tired at school.  My roommates were New York Met fans and if you loved the Mets- that was the most exciting time ever!

For those of you that didn't know the background- you may have been confused by the story line last night.  Bill Buckner was a terrific baseball player and he had one big error and that is what he will always be remembered for and that is a shame.  Also remember that at that time the Red Sox had not won a world series in a very long time.

Thanks Larry- I laughed throughout the whole show last night- Hysterical!

Guns don't kill people- people kill people-Really?

Well we just had another instance where a six year child was killed while playing with his mother's gun. I hate guns.  I understand that people want to defend themselves, but seriously is there ever a situation where a criminal is planning to attack you and they really don't have the upper hand.  Unless you are walking down the street with your gun drawn you really do not have the ability to be on the offensive.  Women with a gun in their purse aren't going to be able to get it out without a mugger realizing what they are up to.  If you have a gun in your glove compartment of your car or the nightstand in your bedroom- do you really have the upper hand?  If you have children- they are going to be very curious about this magic weapon you hide in the drawer and this just is a recipe for disaster.

Don't even get me started on assault weapons and hunting. 

Chris Rock has it right when he says- charge $5000 per bullet.  That will put an end to drive by shootings and reckless gun owners.  Then if you want to kill someone- you are only going to get one shot.  No innocent bystanders will get hurt. 

How many murders are there in the UK?  Canada?  They have gun legislation there.  The right to bear arms was written at a very different period in our history.  I understand that I am really stepping on some toes with this one-too fucking bad.  Let's not kill any more innocents!  Momma T