Today one of the teachers I assist asked me to randomly distribute lids into five groups for an upcoming lesson. I agreed and was handed a giant garbage bag filled with lids that kids had brought in over the last three weeks. That means that the lids sat in a tightly closed bag for all of last week (spring break). When I opened the bag to start my project I was instantly overcome with a stench so powerful it made my nose start running and my eyes water. What followed was thirty pain-filled minutes of lid sorting. I touched lids so filthy, crusty and stinky I thought I might gag. I could have seriously used a pair of rubber gloves, but there were none to be found and the job had to be done (um, should the kids really be touching those filthy things?), so I plugged along. It was absolutely disgusting.
After I finished the task I washed my hands - I'm being completely serious here - for a solid two minutes under hot water with lots and lots of soap. I still don't feel clean.
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Report Card 8
It takes a lot to get kicked off the school bus for even one day.
You can only imagine what it took for my little ebd student to get kicked off for two months. I'll give you a few hints: language an eight year old should never use, extended digits (just one, but multiple times), and scare tactics.
Patience and love, patience and love.
You can only imagine what it took for my little ebd student to get kicked off for two months. I'll give you a few hints: language an eight year old should never use, extended digits (just one, but multiple times), and scare tactics.
Patience and love, patience and love.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Report Card 7
This week has been exhausting.
My ebd student started acting out yesterday. I was ever so hopeful that I wasn't going to experience his bad behaviors during my time at the school, but yesterday things went downhill. Fast. Unfortunately, after school today I was informed that I haven't seen the worst of it yet. I really hope I'm never part of a situation that escalates to the point where he becomes uncontrollable. It's been such an emotionally draining experience. I need to keep reminding myself that school is probably his safe zone. Regardless of how difficult it might be, I need to handle his outbursts with love and patience.
I called my mom after work today to tell her about my experience with the child who acted out in class. She's in-the-know on the topic and had some good advice. She also picked up on the fact that I was tired and reminded me that when a person is emotionally drained, s/he can feel as though they are physically drained. I've definitely felt that way during the first part of the week. I'm going to do my best to get some good rest tonight and hope the rest of the week isn't nearly as emotionally draining as the first part.
On a more positive note, the ESL student I work with who has learning disabilities nailed his presentation today. He worked so hard on it and until this morning was adament that he was not going to present. But he surprised us and he did. I even heard him say: "My project is so cool." I was so proud of him that I almost cried.
My ebd student started acting out yesterday. I was ever so hopeful that I wasn't going to experience his bad behaviors during my time at the school, but yesterday things went downhill. Fast. Unfortunately, after school today I was informed that I haven't seen the worst of it yet. I really hope I'm never part of a situation that escalates to the point where he becomes uncontrollable. It's been such an emotionally draining experience. I need to keep reminding myself that school is probably his safe zone. Regardless of how difficult it might be, I need to handle his outbursts with love and patience.
I called my mom after work today to tell her about my experience with the child who acted out in class. She's in-the-know on the topic and had some good advice. She also picked up on the fact that I was tired and reminded me that when a person is emotionally drained, s/he can feel as though they are physically drained. I've definitely felt that way during the first part of the week. I'm going to do my best to get some good rest tonight and hope the rest of the week isn't nearly as emotionally draining as the first part.
On a more positive note, the ESL student I work with who has learning disabilities nailed his presentation today. He worked so hard on it and until this morning was adament that he was not going to present. But he surprised us and he did. I even heard him say: "My project is so cool." I was so proud of him that I almost cried.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Report Card 6
Any activity taking place in the cafeteria involves a substantial amount of noise. This morning's breakfast started like any other day. But as breakfast time started to wrap up and the younger kids started exiting the cafeteria, the noise level actually increased instead of decreased. Suddenly, the third graders became especially excited and talkative in their native language. I had no idea what was going on.
And then I heard a word in English.
"Turtle."
And I saw kids pointing at the ground by my feet.
Indeed, there was a baby turtle lumbering (can something small lumber? he was so small, but there was definite heavy-footed clumsiness...) just inches from my foot towards the edge of the cafeteria. I have a very strong dislike for reptiles of any nature. Baby reptiles are only slightly more tolerable than their adult versions. There was no way I was going to pick that baby up off the floor. Instead, I flagged down a third grade teacher, who reacted with a slight panic. And then one of the students realized what was going on, stood up and started looking into the pockets of her hoodie. She had carefully placed the turtle in her pocket and carried him from home to school. He escaped while she ate her breakfast.
We later learned (a teacher called the girl's family) that Mama Turtle had been last night's dinner and the family had no use for Baby Turtle. They didn't want it to come home with their daughter. I think the little girl was trying to save the turtle. One of the teachers at the school offered to bring it home and assured the girl that the turtle would be okay. I think she was pleased to know that he was in good hands.
Cute story, eh?
And then I heard a word in English.
"Turtle."
And I saw kids pointing at the ground by my feet.
Indeed, there was a baby turtle lumbering (can something small lumber? he was so small, but there was definite heavy-footed clumsiness...) just inches from my foot towards the edge of the cafeteria. I have a very strong dislike for reptiles of any nature. Baby reptiles are only slightly more tolerable than their adult versions. There was no way I was going to pick that baby up off the floor. Instead, I flagged down a third grade teacher, who reacted with a slight panic. And then one of the students realized what was going on, stood up and started looking into the pockets of her hoodie. She had carefully placed the turtle in her pocket and carried him from home to school. He escaped while she ate her breakfast.
We later learned (a teacher called the girl's family) that Mama Turtle had been last night's dinner and the family had no use for Baby Turtle. They didn't want it to come home with their daughter. I think the little girl was trying to save the turtle. One of the teachers at the school offered to bring it home and assured the girl that the turtle would be okay. I think she was pleased to know that he was in good hands.
Cute story, eh?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Report Card 4
When my little darling addressed me as "Mrs. K" (the full version) this morning, I informed her that my husband was so impressed that one of the students had remembered how to pronounce my last name. Her eyes grew big and she flashed a smile that clearly showed her pride. The little girls standing around her immediately started reciting my last name. For the rest of the day they made sure to call me by my full name.
I really like the sound of it. A lot. They're so cute.
After realizing that I was a Mrs and not a Miss, one of the girls initiated a conversation about my husband:
"Is your husband older than you are?"
"Why are you older than your husband?"
"Does your husband live in the same house?"
"Why do you like your husband?"
...imagine questions like this for a good few minutes.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoy being interviewed by small children. Especially when they giggle and think that all of my answers are both hilarious and incredibly interesting.
I really like the sound of it. A lot. They're so cute.
After realizing that I was a Mrs and not a Miss, one of the girls initiated a conversation about my husband:
"Is your husband older than you are?"
"Why are you older than your husband?"
"Does your husband live in the same house?"
"Why do you like your husband?"
...imagine questions like this for a good few minutes.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoy being interviewed by small children. Especially when they giggle and think that all of my answers are both hilarious and incredibly interesting.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Report Card 3
The bug got me, and it got me good.
My throat has felt like it's on fire for the past 24 hours. According to our thermometer I don't have a temperature, but my achy back, runny nose and ringing ears suggest otherwise. Yesterday, I banked on the fact that I wasn't contagious and went to work. Same goes for today. It's not like I'm the one person who's going to get everyone else sick. Besides, my recently developed obsession with Purell should keep my hands mostly germ-free.
I can't call in sick on the second or third day of my temporary position. That's just ridiculous.
Besides, I've been charged with helping one of the ESL students prepare for a big exam he has next week. Every hour we work together is über important. We covered a lot of ground yesterday and I'm eager to see what we can get done today. The student I'm working with is in middle school, but has the English comprehension and speaking level of a second grader. That, combined with his unique learning challenges and the fact his parents don't speak English makes mastering the language especially difficult for him. When I first started working with him, his lead teacher warned me that he basically copied what his para did (repeated words, copied writing). This afternoon, we developed a reading routine that eventually had him reading out loud by himself. There were certainly some challenging moments, but with a little help he pushed on. I was so proud of him. He just needs to be pushed. I can do that.
So rewarding.
My throat has felt like it's on fire for the past 24 hours. According to our thermometer I don't have a temperature, but my achy back, runny nose and ringing ears suggest otherwise. Yesterday, I banked on the fact that I wasn't contagious and went to work. Same goes for today. It's not like I'm the one person who's going to get everyone else sick. Besides, my recently developed obsession with Purell should keep my hands mostly germ-free.
I can't call in sick on the second or third day of my temporary position. That's just ridiculous.
Besides, I've been charged with helping one of the ESL students prepare for a big exam he has next week. Every hour we work together is über important. We covered a lot of ground yesterday and I'm eager to see what we can get done today. The student I'm working with is in middle school, but has the English comprehension and speaking level of a second grader. That, combined with his unique learning challenges and the fact his parents don't speak English makes mastering the language especially difficult for him. When I first started working with him, his lead teacher warned me that he basically copied what his para did (repeated words, copied writing). This afternoon, we developed a reading routine that eventually had him reading out loud by himself. There were certainly some challenging moments, but with a little help he pushed on. I was so proud of him. He just needs to be pushed. I can do that.
So rewarding.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Report Card 2
Do you know what I absolutely love hearing in the morning?
A chorus of small voices yelling: “Good morning, Mrs. K!”
And do you know what I love even more?
When the tiniest of them all tugs on my shirt and says “Good morning” and then proceeds to pronounce my entire last name. Flawlessly and with a giant, gap filled smile. It was all I could do to keep from melting into a puddle on the floor. I was so excited I gave her a double high five.
I’m thoroughly enjoying most aspects of the position. The schedule is insane and has me running to far corners of the building every 30 to 50 minutes, but other than that it’s been a good experience. I’ve decided to take the multi-week subbing job, so you can expect more reports...
A chorus of small voices yelling: “Good morning, Mrs. K!”
And do you know what I love even more?
When the tiniest of them all tugs on my shirt and says “Good morning” and then proceeds to pronounce my entire last name. Flawlessly and with a giant, gap filled smile. It was all I could do to keep from melting into a puddle on the floor. I was so excited I gave her a double high five.
I’m thoroughly enjoying most aspects of the position. The schedule is insane and has me running to far corners of the building every 30 to 50 minutes, but other than that it’s been a good experience. I’ve decided to take the multi-week subbing job, so you can expect more reports...
Report Card 1
The word from the school nurse is that "the bug" is going around. I even heard her mention the nasty "s" word: strep. I hate strep. I haven't had it since middle school and I absolutely do not to catch it from any of the students. Unfortunately, all day I'm confined to small classrooms filled students who prefer to use their hands and shirts as Kleenx rather than actual tissue.
I've never been so thankful for Purell hand sanitizer (every room is equipped with a Purell dispenser). I rarely used it until today. I guarantee you I'll be using it every time I leave a classroom from this point forward. Now I just have to train my charges to use it.
I've never been so thankful for Purell hand sanitizer (every room is equipped with a Purell dispenser). I rarely used it until today. I guarantee you I'll be using it every time I leave a classroom from this point forward. Now I just have to train my charges to use it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Working Lady
There are two sounds I hate hearing early in the morning:
1. The ungodly loud shrieks and cries produced by our two-year-old neighbor between the hours of 4:00 am and 7:00 am (which happens far more often than I think it should...when do kids grow out of that?!), and...
2. The jarring ring of my cell phone well before my alarm clock is set to go off.
This morning my phone rang at 6:15. G was still asleep, so I knew it wasn't my alarm clock and I sprang out of bed to see who was calling. It was the company that coordinates my teaching placements. The woman I spoke with wanted to know if I could teach in a location about 30 minutes from our home. Class started at 7:15. I somehow managed to get myself put together and out the door pretty quickly. I was in the classroom by 7:15, ready to go.
I worked with special needs kids all day. The amount of time and effort poured into an individual student with special needs is impressive. After spending my entire day chasing kids around, helping upper elementary school aged kids with fundamental skills (counting, reading three letter words), and disciplining students for behavioral issues (no yelling!), I can say that I have a much better appreciation for what it means to be a special needs instructor. They shall forever have my respect!
I was offered a multi-week substitute position in a nearby area. I arranged to give it a trial run through the end of this week. If it goes well - and if I can accomplish my own work after the school day has ended - I'll probably agree to the placement. We'll see how it goes. I tend to be much more productive when I have a busy schedule, so it might actually be really good for me.
1. The ungodly loud shrieks and cries produced by our two-year-old neighbor between the hours of 4:00 am and 7:00 am (which happens far more often than I think it should...when do kids grow out of that?!), and...
2. The jarring ring of my cell phone well before my alarm clock is set to go off.
This morning my phone rang at 6:15. G was still asleep, so I knew it wasn't my alarm clock and I sprang out of bed to see who was calling. It was the company that coordinates my teaching placements. The woman I spoke with wanted to know if I could teach in a location about 30 minutes from our home. Class started at 7:15. I somehow managed to get myself put together and out the door pretty quickly. I was in the classroom by 7:15, ready to go.
I worked with special needs kids all day. The amount of time and effort poured into an individual student with special needs is impressive. After spending my entire day chasing kids around, helping upper elementary school aged kids with fundamental skills (counting, reading three letter words), and disciplining students for behavioral issues (no yelling!), I can say that I have a much better appreciation for what it means to be a special needs instructor. They shall forever have my respect!
I was offered a multi-week substitute position in a nearby area. I arranged to give it a trial run through the end of this week. If it goes well - and if I can accomplish my own work after the school day has ended - I'll probably agree to the placement. We'll see how it goes. I tend to be much more productive when I have a busy schedule, so it might actually be really good for me.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Is yelling really worth it?
Earlier this year, I signed up to work for a company that places temporary substitute teachers and teachers’ aides in schools around metropolitan area. Working in an environment that involved almost zero human interaction was making me miserable. I figured getting out into a school everyonce in a while would be energizing, provide a temporary fix to my need for social interaction, and put a little money in pocket.
This morning, at 7:30 am, the placement company called and asked if I could teach. Today. I managed to get myself ready and fed by 8:15 and was out the door, en route to the school. I’ve spent time at this school before – and had a really good experience – so I was looking forward to working in the upper level classrooms (I worked with young children during my first visit).
It was a miserable experience.
Are teachers encouraged to yell at students? I’ve never heard so much senseless (in my opinion) yelling. My parents never yelled. Raised their voices, yes, but never yelled so loudly that my body went tense and my ears hurt. A child dares to walk in the snow while walking back to the building after recess (I should note here that no one cleans the playground so children are forced to traipse through shin-high snow for the duration of recess)? Someone sits slightly in front of her neighbors while in assembly? A kid whispers to his neighbor during English to ask for a pencil? Apparently yelling is the best response to such situations at the school I was at today. You can only imagine the verbal tirades that followed more significant situations – pushing, teasing, disruptive group conversations during a lesson.
Maybe I just have a different approach to discipline. For example, today I had bathroom duty, which basically means I stand outside of the bathrooms and make sure people don’t have water fights. When I arrived at the bathrooms, I saw a little boy completely drenched in water. I don’t think a single part of his head was dry. Instead of yelling - which based on his facial expression upon seeing me is exactly what he thought I was going to do – I bent over a bit, looked him in the eye, and said very calmly: “Do you think putting your head under the faucet was a smart thing to do?” He agreed that it was probably not the most intelligent thing he had done that day. I reinforced my disappointment by telling him that I hoped he would never put his head under the faucet again. Who knows, maybe he’ll do it again tomorrow. But I really don’t think that yelling at him would have conveyed my message of disappointment any more effectively than expressing my disappointment in a gentle but firm tone.
Am I wrong?
I could write at length about my experiences today, but I’ll spare you the details. I was so, so glad I had my yoga class tonight. I definitely need it!
This morning, at 7:30 am, the placement company called and asked if I could teach. Today. I managed to get myself ready and fed by 8:15 and was out the door, en route to the school. I’ve spent time at this school before – and had a really good experience – so I was looking forward to working in the upper level classrooms (I worked with young children during my first visit).
It was a miserable experience.
Are teachers encouraged to yell at students? I’ve never heard so much senseless (in my opinion) yelling. My parents never yelled. Raised their voices, yes, but never yelled so loudly that my body went tense and my ears hurt. A child dares to walk in the snow while walking back to the building after recess (I should note here that no one cleans the playground so children are forced to traipse through shin-high snow for the duration of recess)? Someone sits slightly in front of her neighbors while in assembly? A kid whispers to his neighbor during English to ask for a pencil? Apparently yelling is the best response to such situations at the school I was at today. You can only imagine the verbal tirades that followed more significant situations – pushing, teasing, disruptive group conversations during a lesson.
Maybe I just have a different approach to discipline. For example, today I had bathroom duty, which basically means I stand outside of the bathrooms and make sure people don’t have water fights. When I arrived at the bathrooms, I saw a little boy completely drenched in water. I don’t think a single part of his head was dry. Instead of yelling - which based on his facial expression upon seeing me is exactly what he thought I was going to do – I bent over a bit, looked him in the eye, and said very calmly: “Do you think putting your head under the faucet was a smart thing to do?” He agreed that it was probably not the most intelligent thing he had done that day. I reinforced my disappointment by telling him that I hoped he would never put his head under the faucet again. Who knows, maybe he’ll do it again tomorrow. But I really don’t think that yelling at him would have conveyed my message of disappointment any more effectively than expressing my disappointment in a gentle but firm tone.
Am I wrong?
I could write at length about my experiences today, but I’ll spare you the details. I was so, so glad I had my yoga class tonight. I definitely need it!
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