What's with kids today?

I have taught for the past 30 years.  When I started teaching, the kids got in trouble for chewing gum and talking too much.  I still had lots of problems with students, mainly because I was so young and I had no idea what I was doing.  I taught an eighth grade  experimental science called ISCS.  The students worked at their own pace and went to "centers " to gather their lab equipment.  I had to share a room with a teacher that had been working for many years and her kids were absolutely quiet.  My students were very loud and obnoxious. She had a "talk" with me at least once a week about everything I was doing wrong.  I also was missing the key ingredient to every "center".  I asked for things like magnets, racetrack, cars, super balls and never got anywhere.  After about 2 months of this- I looked in the other teachers desk after hours and everything was there.  I pretty much went home crying everyday because I had no money to buy things I needed and no one would help me. 

The next year got better.  I started the year instead of replacing a teacher in the middle of the year.  I got to order my own equipment and I taught chemistry and biology.  My students were very sweet and I felt a lot better about my chosen career.  I think the worst incident I had was a student that got caught with firecrackers.

Today the students often are well-mannered.  About 40 - 60 % of all the students have had good home training. Some are hardcore. They are mean, rude, wear their pants sagging (if they have a Y chromosome and dress like a hooker if they have 2 X's.  They are missing the guidance of a strong parent.  Parents are very concerned with being their child's friend or they are too busy trying to make a living that they ignore their kids.  These students do not receive proper nutrition, they stay up late on the computer and they never bring home any homework.  The county mandates that no student should ever receive a zero. Retaking tests is also the norm. 

As far as behavior goes- you can't write anyone up unless they hurt someone.  When the students are rude and despondent- you had best grin and bare it or else you will be reprimanded for writing up too many students.

Students are different in general because they grow up much too quickly.  Some are completely oblivious to the actual purpose of an education.  They need their teachers to not only teach them but also provide the attention they are not receiving at home.  As a teacher, computers have cut a lot of the work that we used to do.  For example, I would sit for hours calculating averages. Don't worry- the administration has thought of many new little chores to keep us busy.  I came home worn out when I was 22 and 30 years later and I am still exhausted on a daily basis. I really enjoy my job most of the time.  I feel that I get through to a majority of my students and it is worth it being exhausted!

Teresa vs. Everyone Else

Well- the first part of the reunion of the Real Housewives of NJ aired on Sunday night and it was quite a show.  Jacqueline was a no show and a war is brewing against Caroline and Teresa. 

Now -I love all the housewives of NJ, (except for Danielle).  I am from NJ and some of the housewives go to my beach each summer.  I have always loved Teresa, Caroline and Jacqueline.  Dina was my favorite. The reason I love them is that they are REAL.  They aren't very bright, but they are all about their kids and their families. They have outrageous husbands and they have the largest houses I have ever seen. Their vocabulary reminds me of home.  Teresa has her cookbook with all kinds of ingredientses.  Youz guys are as Italian as the Olive garden!

Last season the big fight on the reunion show started with Danielle pointing out that Teresa didn' t recognize the birth of her nephew.  Coincidentally this season's opening episode started with a big fight at the christening party of Teresa's nephew.

Everyone is ganging up on Teresa, does she deserve it?  To some degree yes. But come on-it is

Teresa- this is what we love about her. She lets her children run amok in the grocery store. Her seven year old daughter walks the runway and tries to mend the relationships within the family. She spends wildly, even though she is bankrupt. She flips the dinner table and throws Andy Cohen around like a rag doll.

                                Caroline loves to be adored by everyone.  She shys away from situations that could be controversial.  She wasn't at the fashion show when the infamous hair pulling took place.  She did stand up for Teresa against Kim G.  I have no idea who to cheer for at this point. 

I wish that Teresa could realize how shallow she appears to be.

She is still one of my favorites and I think she has allowed the Bravo producers influence her to do certain crazy things.

Teresa- take an objective look at yourself- you don't come off too great this season. You appear to be jealous and insensitive.  we all know that you have money trouble and your husband is kind of a jerk. Now is the time to mend your friendships.

October is Bully Awareness month

I travel by several schools each day and they have this logo prominently displayed on their marquees.  Bullying is a real problem these days and there is no escape when the child gets home because they still get bullied on Face book.    I just found out that a 12 year old boy in our tiny neighborhood killed himself last week because he was being bullied at his middle school.  This is so heart-breaking. I didn't know him or his mother nor do I know all of the details.  This story never made the news.   I know that many bully-induced suicide cases have made the news lately- just think about how many never made the news.

When I was a kid I was bullied and it did a lot of psychological damage. I have low self esteem and I don't stick up for myself like I should. I do feel like I champion the little guys in the classroom.  I am much more sensitive to this issue in my classes,but let me tell you- it isn't always the students that are the bullies.  If the school system wants to stop bullying they need to start by practicing what they preach. The county office officials reign by fear.  There is fear if you speak out about issues.  The principals are afraid to stand up against the officials above them due to fear of transfer.  The same fear trickles down through the ranks. I know an administrator that was suspended for jacking up a student, sexually harassing teachers and students and he was transferred and promoted to principal.  What message does that send to the bullied students and teachers?

People who bully allow that power to replace something that is lacking in their lives. They revel in making someone feel lower than them. Isn't that what made the Nazi's so powerful?  As a parent- if you are the mom that gossips with your kids about others- you are part of the problem. Bullying isn't just physical- much of it is psychological.  Wake up everyone- let us stop picking on others to transfer the power to ourselves.  THAT IS WHAT BULLYING IS ALL ABOUT!

Modern Family

I think that Modern Family has been really funny this year.  Last year they were good-but not as funny as the first season.  The two episodes I have watched this year have been hilarious.  I love Manny. He is my favorite of the kids.  He is such a believable "little man". He has the same sort of personality of my daughter.  I love Gloria- she is such a hoot! Last week Manny said he wanted to be home schooled and she said in her over the top Colombian accent- do you want me to learn you some English?  Claire is appropriately neurotic.  Cam is so over the top gay. Lily is the cutest little girl.

The writers of this show are fabulous.  More importantly- the people that picked the cast got it just right. Last year there was a little too much interpersonal drama between the couples.  This year the chemistry seems just perfect.  If you haven't ever watched this show-give it a try.  I promise you will laugh out loud.  They deserve the Emmy's they have received.

I am a Moron (excuse me a Mormon) and I am an American

                                                                    

Have you seen the commercials for the Mormons recently?  There is the Latino, the African- American, the red head etc. and they are among the amazingly diverse group of the Perry-labeled "cult" called the Mormons.  They supposedly aren't  true Christians-such as the Baptists are.  By the way the first Christians are probably most closely associated with the Roman Catholics- in case anyone needs a World History lesson.

Hey dumb-asses- what does it matter what religion you are or you aren't?  Apparently Mitt Romney thinks that he can't win the nomination for Republican candidate unless he convinces the American public that the Mormon religion is a main-stream Christian religion.  Give me a break, let us worry about who is going to be the candidate that will take on the real issues.  Mitt Romney has won elections in Massachusetts which is a very liberal state.  He has worked with both parties and passed a very successful health care policy.  That is what his campaign needs to focus on.

I think it is a shame that Mitt Romney's campaign people think that the only way he can win the nomination is that the American public has to be educated on what a Mormon person is like.  Focus on the issues and try not to appear as Bat-shit as the rest of your republican counterparts and you will pull ahead soon.

I also want to give a shout out to the protesters in New York City.  I am with you.  The truth is that if 1% of the people control the majority of the wealth and the deregulation of Wall street has made the gap between the wealthy and the the other classes grow tremendously in the last 20 years-then take to the streets.  I am truly scared for our younger generation.  They have gotten a raw deal with the crappy economy.  If you have to take out loans to go to college and then there is no chance of a college- level type job awaiting you, then I can see why you are angry!

Is America a failure?

Is this noble experiment that commenced in the late 1700's in danger of failing?  I say no.  Every country has its highs and lows.  I believe in President Obama.  I don't agree with every policy decision he has made,but I do feel that he has the back of the heart of America.  Has he neglected to poor as Tavis Smiley and Cornel West say?  To some degree, the poor people have historically gotten the raw end of the deal, especially in tough economic times. 

Has Obama forsaken the heart of the country, while trying to negotiate with the right-as Bill Mahr and Michael Moore would say?  Yes, the president has tried to negotiate with the right.  To some degree they are correct.  He started out his presidency with one economic crisis after the next and yes, he tried something novel- he tried to involve everyone in the decision making process.  Perhaps he should have just been a prick and took everything he could get his hands on - after all he had a majority in both houses for the first two years. 

People forget that even though he bailed out the baok and the auto industry- they paid the money back in a very short period of time. The problem is that the bat shit tea party has held up any real decision making policy to the point where there is absolutely no compromise.  They may all be on the same kickball team but they are using a medicine ball that will just prevent any one from getting anywhere.

Believe me, things look bleak right now, but if the indecision in congress continues the next 14 months, the American public will realize who is at true fault.  The tea party members have a lot of nerve holding this county in a vice grip and they will pay at the polls if they keep this going.

How do we get out of this?  Remind the bankers who bailed them out when they were in dire straights.  They need to make it possible for people to purchase houses.  People should not purchase homes that they can not afford. They have to do this in order for the recession to be over.  We need more home sales, more construction, more jobs available to the average citizens.

 We need to have serious education standards and require more from our children.  Parents need to value their children's education and actually be involved in the process.  We need to realize that college is not for every child.  Way too much money is loaned out ( and never fully repaid) to students that are not serious about college.  If a child has not made above a b average in high school-do you really think that they are going to be more successful in college?

Finally, lets try to support our president.  He is very intelligent and he has introduced a jobs plan. Historically it has taken at least five years to fully recover from big dips in the economy.  Let us give him our support.  Have you wondered why there are no excellent candidates on the Republican side?  That is because we are in serious trouble and there are very few intelligent candidates that have the balls to take on this mess.  Let us back Obama and I believe we will be able to come back from this mess.

Buy a house, car, wardrobe that you can afford.  Stop charging everything without thinking about the long term consequences. Don't go to college just because everyone else does- have a life plan.  And stop Whining!!!!!

Best lines of the Summer

There was some great television on this summer.  True Blood was especially enjoyable.  I have already commented on Curb you Enthusiasm a few times.  I also have enjoyed Weeds.  Here are a few of my favorite moments:  I apologize if I don't get them exactly verbatim-

1. "Fuck Sookie and her fairy vagina and her incredibly stupid name! "  as stated by Pam who had a curse put on her this season and was walking around with her face falling off for half of the season.  This was very funny because of her intense narcissistic behavior.  I think Pam is my favorite character on True Blood.  Jason is also a hoot-considering he is really British and plays a dumb -yet lovable Southern hick.

2. "What a sewing machine- for a seven year old boy? Are you trying to turn him gay?" 
  "I think he he is gay."  Larry David with his girlfriend after giving her son a sewing machine for his 7th birthday.  The son was screaming with delight and immediately left to make a Dorothy costume for Halloween.

                                                                     

3. "That shaking shit might come in handy- you and Michael J. Fox- that would be a fair fight"-  Leon to Larry about confronting their upstairs neighbor Michel J. Fox.6nbsp; Later in the episode Mayor Bloomberg throws Larry out of New York for giving Micheal J. Fox a hard time.

                                                                


4. "Babe these are cops, I am a drug dealer, you are a murderer -  We can't all play on the same kick ball team."  Nancy Botwin to her son Shane upon finding out he has an internship in the NYC police department in order to get inside info about a competing drug ring.

OK- yes I watch way too much TV.  I am totally OK with it.  I grade my papers while I am watching and I am very good at multi-tasking.  Hope you enjoy!