SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

For the first time in my teaching career, nearly 5 years, I have taken a personal day. I don't think it is wrong to take off, I just didn't do it. I think the biggest problem for me has always been that I can't let go. I feel the need to be there to teach them what I want them to know and what I know they need to know according to the state standards. It's just hard to trust them to anyone else. The students have asked me why I don't take days off. They think that represents a day off for them. Subs are more than capable of making them work if we leave good instructions. I used to sub and I can tell you it is harder than hell. You never are on the inside and in high school the kids try to take advantage of you. It's just a tough assignment. I admire them greatly. And in this case I thank subs for the time off I need.

They are a vital part of education and we should make it as easy as possible for them to succeed. Giving them clear instructions is a great way to help both them and the students succeed in the school day. I want to know what other teachers and subs think of this situation. Subs are throughout every school each day. Their presence makes them a vital part of education. Are students served well by the subs system in schools?

BEGGING FOR DOLLARS

I just returned from passing out levy brochures to citizens begging them to vote for our levy. In Ohio, schools are funded by voter-approved levies. We are in the position of going to the voters periodically to ask them to vote themselves higher property taxes. Without the money all extra-curriculars are gone. That would be a school that would not be fun to be a part of anymore. The worst would be the loss of kids whose families can afford to move out of the district. There surely must be a better way to fund schools. Here's hoping Ohio will find a better way.

POST TRAUMA

With everything that has gone on it seems hard to talk about anything but Va.Tech. But it is now time to get beyond this. That does not mean to ignore it but to get beyond it. As a retired police officer I am keenly aware of the effects of violence. I have seen them first hand. But what sickens me is the use of this tragedy to further agendas. Allow the families to grieve and move on without using the deaths of their loved ones to further an agenda. That is sickening in the extreme. Some politicians should be tarred and feathered for their use of this tragedy to promote their agenda (Yes, you Barbara Boxer).

Now we will endure the inevitable second-guessing and posturing that always follows these incidents. As usual, the most vitriolic are the least informed. While I am not happy with the decision of the police and administration at Va. Tech. after the first shooting, I want to wait until I hear the dynamics of their decision to make up my mind.

In the meantime, please stop the posturing! It is disgusting.

The Coolest Lesson Ever

www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp
I read about the coolest lesson on this blog. Give it a look. When I taught the Vietnam War to my classes I struggled with how to personalize it for the students. They think wars are video games. I decided to show them my Vietnam Service Medal. I hesitated to do it because I didn't want them to think I looked at myself as some kind of war hero. They were impressed.

I want them to realize that their freedom of speech and rights as American citizens came about and are preserved because soldiers fought and died for those rights. It's a lesson that most Americans seem to have forgotten.

That's why I thank every military person I see. I remember when military personnel weren't too highly thought of. It wasn't a pleasant time.

Master's Tournament

I just finished watching the Master's. It was a great tournament. A young golfer named Zach Johnson won by 2 strokes. What was cool was that he was being stalked by Tiger Woods, the best golfer in the world. Johnson held on through the pressure and posted the win.

He seemed like a humble young guy when he got his green jacket from Phil Mickelson. Here's hoping we hear more from him. He is good example that dreams do come true. He apparently walked the course as a spectator in 2001 dreaming of getting a chance someday. That's a great story.

Continuation of My Thoughts

I haven't written in a while because I thought that you had to be able to link to articles and sites to be read. Being a technological idiot I haven't figured out how to do that. If you want to tell me how to do this feel free. I think I have a lot to say so here goes. Thanks to Old School History Dude for writing me. It is nice to have someone who thinks in the same direction. We as teachers, have to stick together. I have read alot of blogs and I have been impressed with the information I have picked up. Now I will not be bashful about letting my thoughts be known.

I am on the cutting block for my school if we don't pass a levy. It's kind of distressing that I am the first to go every year. We lost two teachers last year who were below me and now I'm on the block. It's kind of like American Idol. Vote for me, please! I qualified for tenure this year, but it's up in the air if I get it because of the financial problems in the district. I busted my a** to get my master's degree but apparently that doesn't matter.

On the upside, I love teaching. It is a very good profession considering the one I had before this one. I was a cop for 26 years. This is my second career. It is a great job and I love going to work everyday. Hopefully, I can continue.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please comment. By the way it's my son's birthday. He is 32 and a civil engineer. He gets his brains from his mother. Happy Birthday, Son. I Love You.