Just a vent...

[Bozo]

Maybe youll end up being the principal of the school!!

It is an insane environment you work in. I often wonder why situations happen that take us out of our comfort zone?

Especially your situation, it isnt like you have done anything wrong, but all of a sudden, out of nowhere you are the bad guy, and you have to fight for your own self respect. Soooooooooooo strange.

Its bad enough when we open our own mouths and cause our own trouble but this sounds like some good material for The Twilight Zone...

do do do do do do do....you have entered another time and dimension.

Just keep doing the right thing. That is all our HP asks.

[historyteach]

Thank you for all your support.
Bike, it WOULD be nice indeed.
Purddy, yea, it is turnoil, all right.
Twilight Zone is right on, Bozo. It's a surreal situation that makes absolutely NO sense!
I'll be writing up the grievances this weekend. And I have essay tests to correct. But, today is the Sabbath and I'm going to services; to Torah study and then, meeting my sister at the gym. There will be time enough for the nonsense afterwards. Even G*D took a day of rest, right?

Thanks again for your support...

Shalom!

[Bozo]

Originally Posted by historyteach

Even G*D took a day of rest, right?

I have often thought about a day of rest. However, my wife doesnt seem to see where I am going with this, or maybe she does??!!

[osier59]

Enjoy your day, Teach. Try to be "in the moment" and let go of all of those things that would try to occupy your mind and mess with your serenity.

Hugs
Barb

[Purrdy]

Teach you are doing all the right things..you are putting in the 'footwork' as they say and you will be rewarded for your efforts a thousand fold.....hang in there and god is with you now and always...I know that now!!! he may be having a chuckle at your so called 'difficulties' but he can see the bigger picture and you will be amazed at how things can change for your benefit!!!
I admire and respect you so much and I am sending you prayers daily!!!

love you too

purrddyxxxxxx

[historyteach]

Bozo;
You should take that day of rest; whatever day you make, but, make it consistent. That's the single best thing I've ever done for myself. No material concerns on the Sabbath. Fresh flowers to decorate my home with; a nice meal; and my spiritual rejuvination with services and Torah Study.
Try it, seriously. It's truely uplifting!

Thanks, Barb;
In the moment; you know, that's really what the Sabbath is about, I guess. It's a very nice way to look at it, anyway. It's a time to rejuvinate the self.

Purrdy,
Thanks for your prayers...
Yea, I'll bet G*D is indeed chuckling over this drama! LOL!!
But, I've been feeling a bit like Job!

The cantor at the synogogue gave me two tickets to Vivaldi's Four Seasons tonight. I'm trying to find someone to go with me. If I have to, I'll go alone. I LOVE Vivaldi. I'm so looking forward to it, and so grateful for her generosity. She had them, but, was unable to attend, and she choose ME to give them to! I'm honored, and oh, so blessed.

And today, I went to the gym after services, with my sister. We went to lunch afterwards, undoing all the good we've done!
Did a bit of shopping, and I've just had a wonderful day.

Thanks so much again for your support. You are the BEST!!!

Shalom!

[Justme57]

My thought and Prayers are with you Teach! I find it a bizzare situation. I am so glad you had a comforting , and happy Sabbath. Oh! and enjoy Vivaldi!

HUGX
Lee

[historyteach]

Thank you, Lee!!!
I shall enjoy it, I'm sure!

Here's a write up of it on the philharmonic website.

The Four Seasons
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

In 1725, Vivaldi published a collec*tion of 12 concertos under the col*lective title, Il Cimento dell’ Armonia e dell’ Inventione (“The Contest between Harmony and Inventionâ€�). The first four of these were Le Quattro Stagioni, or The Four Seasons. Vivaldi, a priest, was also a fa*mous violinist of the time and boasted the title maestro di con*certo of the Pio Ospidale della PietÃ*, a distinguished school of mu*sic, and maestro in Italia of the Austrian Count von Morzin (cousin to Haydn’s earliest patron). Il Ci*mento’s dedication to von Morzin implies that his orchestra had already performed The Four Seasons. Judging by a pirated French edition of The Four Seasons and early reports of French per*formances, these concertos must have had the same immediate appeal for 18th-century listeners as they do today.

Music as literally programmatic as The Four Seasons was rare in the 18th century. These four violin concertos are based on a set of Italian sonnets, possibly written by Vivaldi himself. In the score, the composer indicates exactly which line or phrase of the poem is being illustrated. In general, the full orchestra reflects general text, while the solo violin illustrates pictorial detail. Here is a summary of The Four Seasons:

Spring.I. Birds sing and fountains flow, but there is also the sound of thunder and lightning. II. A goatherd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. III. To the sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds dance.

Summer.I. The blazing sun sears the earth, but the songs of the cuckoo, dove, and gold*finch can be heard. Thunderstorms threaten. II. The shepherd’s sleep is disturbed by distant thunder and the buzz of insects. III. Lightning erupts, and hail stones pelt the ripened corn.

Autumn.I. Peasants celebrate the harvest with song, dance, and drink — and many revelers sink into sleep. II. Drunkards sleep amid gentle breezes. III. The hunt mingles the sounds of horns, guns, dogs, and shouting hunters. The prey flees but at last is caught.

Winter.I. We shiver and stamp our feet against the icy wind, but our teeth chatter nonetheless. II. We enjoy the comfort of an open fire while the rain patters outside. III. Walking on the ice is treacherous. Trying to maintain balance, one pitches and falls to the ground. The ice cracks, while all the winds engage in battle."

Isn't that such descriptive imagery?
Oh, I am looking forward to this!

Shalom!

[historyteach]

Sometimes, it feels like I'm just not meant to have a peaceful life.

Trevor just called me. He had some blood work done at the prison. His kidney and liver levels are off the charts. He's got Hep C. And his kidneys have stopped working a few times, landing him in the hospital, due to his drug use. He's in bad shape.

He is getting an emergency ferlow, to go to the hospital. They will be doing two biopsies. They are going to start interferon, if they can. There may be a problem because of his history of depression and bipolar. There's a high rate of suicide attempts, and they often won't give the treatment if there's a history of depression. I'm hoping because he's in jail, they will. But, the kidney problem may interfer too. Just don't know anything yet.

Please say a prayer that he can get treatment and get well...

Shalom!

[shockozulu]

Teach, you know I'm praying for you and Trevor. I just wanted to post here so you know I am reading this and supporting you.

When I grew up I spent some time in the home of a couple of members of Chabad. From that day, I have always attempted to spend my time relaxing on Shabbat, even though I am Catholic. It is just so important to my mental health.

I have never been a fan of Vivaldi, probably from listening to it too many times in my years of figure skating, but there are times when his music is like none other. I hope you enjoyed it.

[historyteach]

Thank you, Alera...
I did indeed enjoy the concert.

And you know, maybe that's why I was meant to have the tickets. As a way to enjoy before the impending doom. Because, honestly, I have very negative vibes coming from this information. I'm not dwelling on them, but, it would be a lie to say it isn't so.

I really believe everyone should take a day to rejuvinate. In Judaism, it's Friday night till Saturday night, (sundown). The Catholic tradition is Sunday. And for Muslims, I believe it's Friday. Point is, it doesn't matter. What matters is to put down the concerns of the world and enjoy the benefits and the beauty. Everyone deserves that release.

Shalom!

[historyteach]

Trevor just called me. He said he didn't think I was aware of what the information meant. That interferon only has a 50% chance of working. Of course, his kidney problem on top of that only makes the entire situation worse. He said he doesn't think he'll live to the end of his sentence...

Trevor can be melodramatic. But, he wasn't hysterical. I know he's scared. He said he started going to church again. I told him to pray.

One day at a time. That's all we can do. That, and pray for the best possible outcome.

Shalom!

[BigSis]

Dammit.

I came in here to get caught up, Teach.... and I am so sorry for what you are going through. Sending prayers... real, heartfelt, tangible prayers... for healing for Trevor - right this minute. That he remains in God's will and willing to be there.

As far as the job thing... I think you know I lost a job I loved after steadily promoting over 13 years. I went from a keypunch operator to program manager for three statewide programs, one with national connections. Yet, within 8 days of her arrival, I was submitting my resignation to a new director. I have never undergone the sort of treatment she put me through, for no reason other (I found out later) than she didn't trust any of the old directors' "picks"... me and my 4 coworkers.

All four of us (in a 5 person office) were eventually fired using the exact same methodology... overloading us with memos (catalog the contents of file cabinet A, have the catalog on my desk by 1:oo this afternoon, failure to follow this directive may result in disciplinary action), overloading us with "make work" during our busiest times in order to try to get us to falter on the important tasks, removing resources, being unavailable to approve urgent decisions... essentially undermining our work until we appeared incompetent.

Just so she could hire trusted friends.

That job was the best job I had ever had. I had grown and changed and evolved in that job in a way that had never happened to me before. My identity was enmeshed inexorably with the job title. Losing that job, I lost a bit of me...no, I lost a lot of me.

What I know today is that I had become comfortable and nested and intractible. God needed me to be somewhere else because, I believe, He could see the storm that was coming into my life. I needed to be in a job that allowed me to focus on family first - as the one I have now does. I needed to be able to attribute the loss of the program manager job to circumstances beyond my control - and not to the antics of my addicted children. I held HUGE ... perhaps still hold... HUGE resentments against that woman director for what she put me, my customers, and my coworkers through. I am grateful that resentment is not directed at my children and their addictions.

Looking back, I can see that I had opportunities to change jobs... and ignored those opportunities. I finally left when it became too painful to stay.

I am sorry this is going on at a time when you need your life to be serene enough to best focus on the good things in life. Perhaps it is a way of allowing you to move on because the next stop on the line is where you need to be...

My customers were injured when I left - some lost professional credentials because the woman arbitrarily changed processes and procedures. I worried about them, but could not help them in any way... I figure HP has a broader view and those affected were also directly under His care and guidance.

I pray that as this door closes that the window God opens will be so clear and inviting, you won't even question choosing to fling it open and see what is on the other side.

((((Teach)))))

[Anna]

BigSis,

I love your post! You talk about dealing with change, that we often don't want to deal with. And, also being able to use your perspective to see that the change was, indeed the best thing that could have happened to you at that point in your life.

Teach,

I am so sorry and I continue to pray for Trevor and you.

[historyteach]

BigSis;
Yes, I remember that time very well. And I'm so happy that, in retrospect, things are better, and you don't have any resentments towards your children as a result.

...essentially undermining our work until we appeared incompetent.

Yep, I'd say that's exactly what this guy is doing too. Along with a fishiing expedition to "find" something wrong. He actually asked my freshmen to give him examples, in writing, of what I do wrong. Here's an example.
"Ms K is nice when you're in the room, but not nice when you're not." (Speaking of the principal himself....
And he thinks this is not undermining me! Ay!

Thank you for your wonderful prayers.
I sincerely hope Trevor can get past all this and find his way home.

Anna, thanks too for your prayers. And I agree, BigSis has wonderful examples of recovery. What was; what changed and how it is now. She's a shining example of recovery.

And now, I'm seeing how depressed I am getting. It's almost 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm still in my pjs. I've accomplished nothing all day, though I have to write up the grievance and correct papers. *sigh*
Gotta get going!

Shalom!

[Purrdy]

Hey Teach! LOL Im so glad that you troll about in your PJ's after noon!!!


It will be alright...it willl!!!


I am still sending you love across the pond! and thinking of you!


catch you soon love purrdyxxx

[historyteach]

((Purrdy))
Thanks for your loving thoughtfullness.

Well, things continue at work, on a downhill slide. Yesterday, more kids were taken out of my class; there's now kids I've NEVER had a problem with all year. Yet, they are in the so called "dean's" office during my class period, missing their lessons.

I am seriously considering charging the principal and dean with malfaence of duty. Their absenses are causing them to fail. Yet, the dean, with the principal's approval apparently, are allowing them to fail! When I told my union rep, she advised me to tell the union office downtown; those who are handling my grievance.

Another student came up to me yesterday. She asked me how I was, saying she's hearing terrible things about me. This beautiful child of G*D actually told me to pay it no mind; and what she does when she's being wronged! She's going into the ministry next year at college. I think she's going to be wonderful!

Oh, and that reminds me, lol! One day last week, a kid told this "dean" that she was in my advisory. This was the day my Jr Class has their bake sales. I was busy as all, since on the Wednesday bake sale day, I have NO free time at all; it's during lunchtime; I give up my lunch to help the kids make money for activities. Anyway, the dean called out to me to get my advissee. She was clearly angry. I looked and informed her she wasn't in my advisory class. So, here's a CLEAR case of a kid lying, and dean just accepting it, without checking, and going after me. Jackass!!!

I was called into another "impromptu" meeting with an angry parent again. Seems to be daily now. ANd the principal is taking notes during these exchanges. I required union representation. Once the parent was informed of the fact, clear in my record book, she calmed down.

This senerio is becoming a pattern. The kids know they can say whatever they want against me. I've NEVER been treated like this in my career. There's something very,very wrong in this place. (Twilight Zone music begins here.)

And a math teacher asked me how I was doing. He pumped me about the phone calls to my last principal. I told him the principal and the dean, (who's supposed to be such good friends with my old principal), got no information; that he said to my landlord the dean is manipulating the principal, and he's too weak by allowing it. Anyway, I later found out that he's easily manipulated by the dean. So, it seems as if this dean is fishing for everything in every pond.

It dawns on me that if the "dean" and principal did their job as well as they search for nonexistent problems with the staff, the school might actually function well. Shame on them. :nono:

Thanks again for listening. This is like a journal for me, now; a running commentary of what's so obviously wrong with this hell hole I'm stuck in. :>(

SHalom!

[osier59]

(( teach ))

Keep on using your tools - you know how to detach, to focus on the things you can control and to let go of those things over which you are powerless.

You may need to take the emergency recovery tools as well - the skillet, a big bag of jujubees, steel toed bunny slippers AND muck boots.

Know that we are here for you, a safe place to vent and get centered again.

Another day, another hug.

Barb

[bikewench]

Teach...

Those kids are well aware of the dysfunction at the school... and the smart little ***** are using it to create more chaos...

.. cause... it's more than likely that at this point in their life... they could care if they graduated or not... and their using the situation to create excitment and drama in their lives... and the people that are supposed to be up on this crap and able to regulate it and look beyond it to uphold the principles that are going to better these kids...

well...
their just being taken for the fools they are...

man.. the kids must be killing themselves...

"look at the teachers go.. hehehehe..."

And then their parents get involved cause of course their worried about their little darlings...

lol

freakin side show...

Teach.. don't know how you've done it these last years...
but.. I gotta tell ya....
your one heck of a woman.. ;o)

you stay strong...
and I vicariously love to hear about your trials with those posers...

.. sorry.. ;o)

cause I know you gotta go through it...

but..it's only up from here.. ;o)

Be well gurl..
your in my thoughts and prayers

[Live]

Coming in late. Sometimes I am just so ashamed of people, I wonder how they can be the gifts of creation with all the powers of humanity. Some of those people that run our educational systems, our justice systems.....I don't get it. I never will.

I am so sorry you are going through all this. Who wouldn't be bone tired and stressed out? I take the trazadone for sleep too. It is also supposed to be an anti-depressant. I am afraid of the hypnotics (the new type sleep drugs). Don't know about you but with me it does interact with caffeine. And caffeine jacks up the stress level in me too.
so, the only practical tip I might have would be to look at your caffeine intake, it might be making the bad a bit harder.

You have so much backbone, always have had. In my head I hear Kenny Rogers: know when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to run. So many times I have seen you fight to right wrongs when I would have been slippin' out the back Jack, make a new plan Stan...la te dah.

I sure do know what you mean about questioning what dreams and what you have based and lived your life around. I seemed to have known a whole lot more when I was younger, as I don't have a clue now.

I have had some times when I was as happy as it is possible for anyone to be, loving life. I can't explain those any better than I can explain why I just don't give a damn.

I go to work for the money.

All I know is that things are always changing. I don't know what is around the corner. So I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other until the new view is exposed. I know that life is bigger than my imagination.

I do hope you find a way to bail out on that school, no need to go down with a sinking ship. jmho.

care and concern,
live

[BigSis]

Teach - I think Bikewench has a good point. For me, during high school, I could not with any sort of reliability, plan beyond next weekend. I could dream... but had few real life skills in application of those ideas. For me, the drama WAS life. The chaos WAS excitement. I think I was often a nasty, intractable, obnoxious girl.

... I got better, it took me longer and I had to fall harder than some of my fellow students.

What they reap will be exactly what they need to learn and grow. I am sorry you have to be a vehicle for this type of learning. And I would bet that there is more than just the ministry student who are noticing how you are reacting, what steps you are taking to protect yourself and how to live in a real world that is not kind, and certainly not like we see "on TV".

That Dean is another story – ye gads, what a piece of work! Folks like her seem to feel so diminished that they can only feel better if they can drag others down. I can pity folks like her – but only with time and from a distance. I believe you are being a better person than me… I might have looked up some of my kids’ old friends to do some “work� on her car… her windows… you know. I would have at least THOUGHT about it…

No… my recovery just isn’t that good. I have this terrible tendency to fight at the level of my enemy… down in the mud with the other pigs.

You can feel good about what you are doing. You are standing up and fighting for what is right and in the right way. You are a good example to your students.

[historyteach]

Thank you all....
I agree with Bike and BigSis about the drama with the kiddies. That's normal, for alot of kiddies in HS. What's NOT normal is for the adults to act the same as the teen agers! :

Barb;
I need this place so much for my own serenity right now. It's the only "normal" part of my life right now!!! Son wants to get paroled, and without treatment for his liver and kidney, it's only bad news. Work is crazy. So, SR is really a life saver for me right now.
Thank you... :>)

Bike;

...and I vicariously love to hear about your trials with those posers...

Man, that made me laugh for sure!
And the rest was so nice. Thank you... :>)

Live;
I am very conservative with my caffine intake already. The equilivant of two cups a day normally. Within my doc's requirements, anyway.
Love the mixed song metaphore. :>)

I seemed to have known a whole lot more when I was younger, as I don't have a clue now.

That, and the fact that things are always changing, I can definately relate to.
Thanks for the care... :>)

BigSis;
Thanks for saying I'm a model for my students! I honestly DO try to be. And I know there are others who feel the same way as my ministry student....

One kid told me today that there are going to be lots of meetings with parents. He was involved in one, and was not aware I didn't know about it. Oh, and the new dean; the one I thought was decent? Well, he held that meeting without my knowledge.

Another kid, normally a school PIA, helped me open a window in the lounge; I couldn't reach it. That's the norm for kids who knows something's wrong. They do nice things for you; many do not have the language skills to verbalize what they're thinking. Especially in an inner city.

On the advice of my union rep, I wrote a letter to the principal. I'll post it on the next post. This one's long enough.
I've also been advised to contact a lawyer. Union rep said something's going down, and it's not good. This is the one the principal wanted to change the kid's schedule, so that I couldn't file a grievance. That sure tells you he know's what he's doing is wrong, doesn't it? I'm waiting to get a recomendation from my union office for that one.
Finally, I may press harrassment charges and malfaence of duty charges with human resources. I'm awaiting my unions advice on that.

Anyway, thanks for listening, and for caring and all the beautiful support you've given me. I appreciate it so very much!

Shalom!

[historyteach]

Here's the letter I will send to the principal, once I get the ok from my union office. The building rep is at a meeting tonight, and is going to talk to the bigwigs. The mayor will be at that meeting too. Too bad I didn't know....

13 March 2006

Dr D S; (Initials to protect his identity, though I'm not sure why...)

I would prefer all communication be on paper between us. It is clear you are setting up something; holding meetings with my students, allowing them to cut class, and holding meetings with my student’s parents all without my knowledge. This behavior is clearly inappropriate and unprofessional. Consequently, you have shown me that the two of us cannot talk; that there is some kind of agenda being plotted by you, with help from other administrators.

First issue to discuss is the fact that two of my students cut class on the day of a test. One, M N, stated to me that she came in late, and would be in to take the test. She did not come; nor has she come since. The other student is S O.

The discipline slip, which came back 11 days after the write up, said to see you about these two students. If you can possibly justify these students, and others, being out of my class without permission AGAIN, please inform me. I find it reprehensible that I have not been informed as to why they are out of my class; nor have I been asked anything concerning their behavior.

The handwritten note I gave you on these students before was hand written for a reason. It was handwritten because I did not choose to make it public or permanent. And I wanted you to know that they had NOT completed the agreed upon make up work for the 5 weeks they were out of class before – again, without my permission or consent. They were given a weekend for the two short assignments, plenty of time. Two weeks later, they still had not done the assignments, nor consulted with me for anything. Consequently, they failed the quarter. There was, however, still opportunity for these children to pass, if they started doing their work.

My students clearly cannot do their work if they are not in class. Why are you keeping my students out of my class? Why are you causing them to fail?

Why are other students being taken from my class? Why are you having meetings with student and their parents without me being present. As you have seen with two previous meetings, P P and A D, the students do present inaccurate information to their parents. Both parents ended up chastising their children for that behavior. So now, I’m not being given the opportunity to defend myself against these charges. Why is this opportunity not being given to me? You are dealing with my professional reputation.

It is clear that you are creating a hostile environment in which I have to work. And the consistent lack of support is creating MORE problems for me with my students. You are, indeed, the cause of the problem. So, I am clearly asking you to begin supporting me as the professional that I am.

If you have a complaint against me, say so now. Otherwise I expect you to do your job. Support the teachers, including me; make sure the students are in class, or at least charge your administration to do so; and discipline students who misbehave. Frankly, I don’t understand why I have to ask you this.

Sincerely,

"historyteach"


Whatdayathink?

Oh, and I now have kids making prank phone calls to my room. They have to call from another school phone. And kids banging on my walls. All during my class instruction. But, Dr D S doesn't think his lack of support creates a problem. Oy! Clear case of the peter principle; people rise to the level of their incompetence. Well, he's surely there!

A reading writing specialist who's been meeting with the 9th grade team, me included, was due to come in today. He was in school, but, didn't come. He was in conference with Dr D S this morning though...

Another girl, with whom I had a problem a few weeks ago, came in with her dad Friday for a meeting. I didn't go, as it was during class time. But, she told me why dad came in; because I disciplined her, gave her a detention, for being in the bathroom over 1/2 hour during class....

This entire school is indeed dysfunctional! And it's the lack of leadership that's the cause. Another teacher told me that the principal said to her that the other teacher, with two years, was going to get the job -- before the interview! Yea, dysfunctional is perhaps too mild a word.

Thanks again....
Shalom!
Shalom!

[bikewench]

Teach...

give me that yerks number....
I wanna give him a call....;o)


lol...


"umm yeah....

This is bikewench from western Canada... and ahhhhhh..... your messing with our friend Teach... and ahhhhh... I'm here to tell ya.. it's gotta stop... or your gonna have a bunch of po'd addicts and codies coming to get medieval on your heiney...."

hehehe

Honestly Teach...
Can't believe those are the conditions you have to work under...

It's one thing if things are above board all the way.... but.. this is sooo smelly... that it makes me think of fish.


I'd really love to give those pipple a word or two.. cause it's really hard for me to stand by and see crap like that go down...

it offends my offender thing inside me...


The letter is dead on...
lays the whole thing out...
puts the onus where it belongs... ;o)

I pray this is over for you soon...

[shockozulu]

This is Alera from sunny california, and you are messing with my friend, teach. You lay off her or we are driving the codie and newbie busses right up to your office.

Never heard of those buses before? You will wish you had your act together long ago!