November 22, 2005
Yesterday, I had a couple of job interviews for substitute teaching positions. The first school, I was really looking forward to visiting. At the moment, most of my teaching experiences have been in low income neighborhoods. I was excited when I received a request from a school downtown to come in for an interview. Remember, in a previous blog entry, I’d mentioned (I think) that I sent my resume (with Per Diem certificate) to about 75 elementary schools.
Well, the minute I stepped off of the train downtown, I had a feeling that the school was not going to be the kind of school that I would want to work at. And, once I walked through the door, my fears were confirmed. It turned out that the school with an elementary school moniker was really a high school. A high school for special education students! At that school, there were guards and a metal detector. I felt very uncomfortable. I arrived about 30 minutes early, and I sat in the office waiting for the assistant principal to come. While I sat, I watch various (aggressive) students coming and going. I kept thinking to myself, how could they possible believe that I would want to work at that school. However, I felt a little guilty about sending my resume to that high school, so I wanted to wait and speak to the assistant principal in person (rather than leaving a note).
After the special ed high school I decided to go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to find out what happened to the renewed driver’s license that I’d applied from about a month ago. I thought that since I just had a question, I would be able to just walk in and ask. Of course, I was being woefully naïve. I ended up spending (about) more than an hour of waiting time. However, I liked their new (for me) waiting system. You take a number according to your problem (or situation), and wait for your number to be called. Before I went to Japan, (at the DMV) you were told what line to wait on, and you waited. I like the new system better. Once I was able to gauge the approximate speed that the numbers were being called, I was able to go out for lunch, and return (with time to spare).
For lunch, I went to the MacDonald nearby. While I was eating in the MacDonald, there was a loud group of guys discussing their “business”. One of the guys was discussing how he liked to smoke pot with his wife.
After the DMV, I had another interview at another school for a substitute teaching position. Now this interview I was not expecting much, so I was in no hurry to go. This school was only blocks away from the other schools that I’ve already had a less than exciting experience. Before I could go however, the assistant principal wanted me to call before I came; I assumed that he wanted to make sure that he would be available. I called from my cell phone. And would you believe he did not remember me, or the request that he made during the original phone call (setting up the interview day). After reminding him that it was his idea for me to call before I came; I arrived about 15 minutes later. While waiting for the assistant principal to come to the office; there was a pushing incident right in front of the main office. One of the students pushed another student into the classroom teacher. The security guard (carrying a gun on his belt) decided to deal with the situation by bringing in the participants into the school office. Oh, did I mention that was an elementary school? While all of that was going on, I was thinking to myself, “oh yea, I really want to teach here”.
So, what was the result of that “oh so important interview”!? After waiting for about 15 or 20 minutes, in the meeting (that lasted all of 3 or 4 minutes), the assistant principal asked for a copy of my resume and my Per Diem (substitute) certificate, once he had it, then he remembered that I sent my information to him by mail. He then very professional got up and took me to meet the payroll secretary. He shook my hand ending the meeting, and asked the payroll secretary to get all of my contact information. He did this giving her my resume with my contact information written on the top of my cover page, on the first page of my resume (in large letters), and written in small print on every other page of my resume.
Today, my teaching assignment was to return to a previous school where I was the substitute science teacher. Today I was given a 6th grade class. The kids were wild 10 minutes into the class. About 30 minutes into the day, a student threw a chair across the room. 3 hours into the day, the same student filled another student’s backpack with water (books and all). In a classroom with 25 students, only about 4 students were not loud, argumentative, disrespectful, nor overly-playful. Speaking to the assistant principal only helped a little bit, not much, but it did help a little bit. Unfortunately (in my opinion), since there were no real penalties for disruptive behavior, the disruptive behavior only continued. Near the end of the day, a group of students in the class decided to pick on another student by stomping on his things, and putting his winter coat into the classroom sink and leaving the water running over it. By the time I found the coat, the sink was filled with water and the coat. I sent for the other assistant principal. Her solution was to threaten to have the whole class suspended if someone did not “squeal” and/or confess. When no on would admit anything, she asked me to dismiss most of the students – leaving the usual disruptive students, who eventually confessed, but were only a couple from the group.
The next day, I was supposed to return to the school. Originally, I was asked to come for two days. The regular teacher had jury duty. The next morning, the head teacher called to say that I was not needed. Now, I did already know that the regular teacher would be returning, because she came to the classroom around 4:30, and she told me that she was dismissed from jury duty early. However, I believe that I might have complained a little too much about a lack of consequences for disruptive behavior to a couple of the teachers and to both of the assistant principals. The head teacher called me about 7:45 the next day to say that “the teacher may be returning, but he wasn’t sure. He also said that I should keep my morning open just in case, he calls me to let me know that the regular teacher would not be coming in. He apologized for the last minute cancellation and hung up the phone. I think the head teacher was just trying to not burn his bridges. I think on the one hand the administration did not want me back, but on the other hand (knowing how difficult) it is to get substitute teachers on short notice (especially in schools with a difficult student population) did not want me pissed off refusing to return. Actually, I was seriously debating with myself whether or not I would be returning to that school. I am stuck with the same idea. If I am not teaching, and if I can’t control the class, what good would I be doing returning? In the end, I decided that I would return. Well, that was before the phone call. Was I mad? Actually, I was relived. I was going to force myself to return, but I really didn’t want to return. So, what did I do? About 10 minutes, after the call from the head teacher. Another school called. The elementary school I went to on Monday for the interview.
The Phone call / The school
The principal called to see if I was available to substitute for a class that in her words “was a very difficult 5th grade class. Reluctantly, I agreed. When I arrived, the principal realized that the teacher she thought was going to be absent, was coming in for work. So, I became unneeded. I did volunteer to return home, but I was told that they would find something for me to do. Since the school now had an extra teacher in the building, the administration decided to use me to give make up preparation periods. Preparation periods are those times when another teacher teaches the class, so that the regular teacher can prepare or do other class work related activities.
The schedule that I received was a prep. period for myself; a couple of 6th grade classes, a meeting with the assistant principal (yes, the same one who wanted the interview), a 1st grade class, and 3rd grade class last period. Midway through my prep period, I received a schedule change; the meeting was cancelled and became my lunch period, my lunch period became a 6th grade lunch detention(!?!?). During the time I was supposed to have lunch I received a call to go to the office for… another schedule change. Now, the 1st grade class was changed to 2nd grade, and the last period 3rd grade was changed to a class with the “very difficult” 5th grade class. So, instead of eating lunch, I had to dig through the materials that I dragged with me to come up with lessons (and the materials) for the new classes. I was a little annoyed that the last class (before the holiday vacation) was the “very difficult” 5th grade class – a little annoyed, but not very surprised.
So how was the lunch detention? I arrived at the assigned classroom only to find the class was having a pizza party. The teacher explained that she used to do “lunch time detention”, but she resigned from the assignment. She thought that was why the administration was going to use her room. Anyway, she said that I could stay in the room for the 20 minute detention. My plan was to go get something to eat after the 20 minutes were up. Even though the teacher offered me pizza, I did not feel comfortable eating pizza while on duty, so I passed on the pizza. About 10 minutes later wild kids started showing up asking questions about the pizza. They turned out to be her students. I guess she only took the ones she thought deserved a pizza party. I don’t know where the other students were. Anyway, they were in and out of the classroom being disruptive.
Then about 5 minutes later, other 6th grade teachers came in complaining that the administration wanted all of the 6th grade students to have detention for something they did the previous day. The teachers complained about having to have their own students in their own classroom for detention. At this point the classroom I was waiting in for “lunchtime detention to start (or finish), was finished their pizza party…and the students started getting loud and wild. I could not believe that a class that wild actually deserved a pizza party. I was getting annoyed at the situation I was in the middle of, but did not know what I should have been doing. With about 5 minutes left of my 20 minute detention, and the other 6th grade teachers having some kind of “heated” discussion in the hallway, and the classroom getting increasingly wild, the classroom teacher grabs her coat, tells the students to start cleaning up, and she walks out the room. I run after her telling her I was only supposed to say for 20 minutes; I also wanted to know where she was going. She told me to me to just watch her class because every 6th grade teacher has a prep teacher in their classroom to watch the students for detention, and that I needed to stay until she returned.
Once she left, her class went off the wall. The students started acting like they were having a party, playing games, playing rap music on the classroom mini portable stereo. They ignored and argued with me. When they refused to turn off the radio, I unplugged it. They group by the radio promptly plugged it back in and turned it on very loud, laughing, dancing, and singing along to the rap music blasting out of the stereo. The rest of the class was enjoying seeing the substitute powerless, and unable to control them. I was tired, hungry, and angry that I basically gave up. I only focused on keeping the wild ones contained, so I allowed no one to leave. I felt like a security guard at a prison. At times, I couldn’t decide if I was the security guard…or the prisoner! I felt trapped!
When the teacher returned, she seemed less than interested in hearing about the disruptive and disrespectful behavior of her students. I quickly noticed that without the “pizza prize”, the students were barely listening to her. I think only the fact that she controlled their grades, gave her only slightly more attention and respect than what I’d received.
What about the last class? Nothing you have not already read in previous entries, so no sense in repeating it again. Three o’ clock came, and everyone (not doing after school) was eager to leave to start their 4 day holiday vacation. Me, I was so exhausted, that I did not have the strength to leave until about 4pm. When I returned home, my plan was to lay down for a couple of minutes, then go food shopping for a few items I needed to help my foster father’s lady friend with the Thanksgiving dinner. I volunteered to make the rice, the macaroni salad, and a couple of pies. I laid down and promptly fell asleep. Later, I was told that I was snoring up a storm. I guess I was more tired than I thought. When I woke up, I was not in a mood for cooking, or cleaning, or for the other nonsense that goes on around this apartment. I decided to go for “take out” Chinese food.
Thanksgiving Day
Not much to write about. I decided to go to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I took a few photos with me digital camera. Sorry, I still have not put up the other photos. I will try to put up all the photos ( the old and the new) this holiday weekend.
Happy Holiday!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
November 15, 2005
Just a short entry. I just finish making some lesson materials for tomorrow’s lesson. I thought that since I was on the computer, I should write a quick entry.
Originally, I was told to come every day this week, but the payroll secretary made a mistake. Yesterday was Parent / Teacher conferences, so no substitute teachers are used for half days. Therefore, I returned home and wrote the previous very long blog entry (while watching TV). Then, I went the Staples copy-center to photocopy some pages out of various workbooks. Just like in Japan, where I was assigned to travel from school to school; I am doing the same thing now. I am making a kind of emergency teaching kit (containing several lessons for various grades and abilities. As a sub. teacher, I have no idea where I will be going, nor do I know what grade (K to 6) I’ll be asked to teach. When I am prepared with something, I can handle the classes a little bit better, than if I walk in with nothing. After making my copies (about an hour), I went to an internet café to upload the previous blog. I also started uploading a few photos (6) onto my other web site. I was planning to upload more photos, but the internet café was full – no computers were available.
Today, I was a substitute teacher for another teacher who was in the building; however, she was substituting for another teacher who was absent. Today I was stopped in the hall and asked about my sub. assignment. I explained to the woman not realizing (until a student told me later) that I was talking to the teacher I was substituting for, that was when I realized that the teacher I was subbing for was not the one with the broken ankle.
My schedule (today) was the same as the previous days; also, I had the exact same classes, so I had to come up with some lesson plans, or else the students would be wilder than usual.
Highlights:
I had a couple of pre-k classes. The pre-k kids are nice (relatively speaking), but I am not a pre-k teacher. I don’t really like working with the very little kids; they are too needy. The first pre-k class teacher was a little reluctant to leave the room, but once she saw my classroom management was okay, she was comfortable with leaving the room. Today, she was even more comfortable with leaving an assignment for me to do. I was suppose to collect the drawings of each student and ask each student what he (or she) drew, then I had to write what each child told me into a notebook. Unfortunately, as soon as the teacher left, the little ones started coming up to me at the same time each talking at the same time. I just gave up. I was also a little annoyed that the assistant teacher said she was going to the bathroom, but ended up staying out for most of the period.
The second pre-k class teacher seemed more willing to leave me alone with her class; she left me alone on the first day. The assistant teacher also took this time as her lunch period, so again I was alone with the little ones. Last Friday, the assistant teacher told me that a parent volunteer would come in and help me. The volunteer came in looked around, and left. Today, I was alone with the kids, but the assistant teacher took the most disruptive kid with her, so the class was actually very nice…relatively speaking!
The second grade class was a bit disruptive, but relatively speaking they were a nice bunch.
From the second grade I went to the other pre-k class. From the pre-k class on the first floor, I had a sixth grade class on the third floor, at the opposite end of the building. Which brings me to the bell schedule; there are no bells between classes, and no travel time between periods, and a couple of the teachers return to the class late, which makes me late for the next class.
The Kindergarten class was nice…again relatively speaking. Although I don’t like teaching the little kids, I would have to say that the kindergarten class today was the best of the classes that I had today.
What about the sixth grade class. I’ll keep this short by saying, “similar to junior high school public schools in Japan; the students were aggressive, arrogant, immature and many seemed to not care less about learning anything.
For lunch, I drank a Nutrament health shake. I miss the healthy choices in Japan. I think I am going to try to make onigiri (rice balls). Of all the foods, I think I miss the onigiri the most. A healthy meal in a ball. Whenever I was hungry, I would eat a couple of onigiri, and drink a bottle of green tea. Now, here in New York, the shelves are overflowing with junk food.
Well, it is getting late, so I better stop now. I still have to shower and iron my clothes for tomorrow. Ja mata…
END ========================================================
November 17, 2005
This week I’ve been substituting at the same school. I thought this school was much better than the other two, but yesterday proved that it isn’t much better than the other schools.
Yesterday, most of the day went okay, with the exception of the 6th grade class that I had. One boy in the class, decided to just walk out of the class. Then another student (a girl) decided to follow. When they returned, they were loud and disruptive. The boy would not stop banging on the desk. The girl wandered the room causing other students to be disruptive. One, for walking out of the room without permission, two for not doing the work (that I had assigned), and three for being disruptive; I decided that the disruptive students would eat lunch last. I stayed in the lunch room to make sure that the students ate last. The students did not like that so they argued with me and were incredibly disrespectful; one girl was more disrespectful than the other two students. Curious about what a 6th grade students might say to the teacher in a lunch room filled with kids, school aids, and parent volunteers?
“Get out of my face.”
“You’re ugly. I can’t stand looking at your face.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Who do you think you are?”
This is just a sample coming from a 11 (or 12) year old girl. I was determined to not back down. And in the end, the two girls did eat last. The boy decided that since I was keeping him from eating when he wanted to, he was not going to eat at all. I ended up giving up my lunch period, but I thought that it was necessary. As a general rule, classes don’t usually treat the substitute with respect, but the level of disrespect was a surprise to me. For me, it was important to not have the students believing that they control the classroom.
So what was the result? Today, I had a very good day in the 6th grade class…relatively speaking! I just reminded the class that they could either have me for 45 minutes, or they could have me again in the lunch room. Sending the message that I mean business helped me win the battle, but not the war. I don’t believe for a minute that the class will be well behaved from now on. The only thing I accomplished was increasing my level of respect in the eyes on the students in that class.
Today was a long day, but a relatively nice day. Since I was in a relatively good mood, I accepted an after-school substitute assignment. I was tired, but I said okay. After the assignment, I went to Staples office supply store to make some copies for tomorrow. Today the only photocopy machine at the school was out of order.
Well, I’ll end this entry now. Ja mata…
Just a short entry. I just finish making some lesson materials for tomorrow’s lesson. I thought that since I was on the computer, I should write a quick entry.
Originally, I was told to come every day this week, but the payroll secretary made a mistake. Yesterday was Parent / Teacher conferences, so no substitute teachers are used for half days. Therefore, I returned home and wrote the previous very long blog entry (while watching TV). Then, I went the Staples copy-center to photocopy some pages out of various workbooks. Just like in Japan, where I was assigned to travel from school to school; I am doing the same thing now. I am making a kind of emergency teaching kit (containing several lessons for various grades and abilities. As a sub. teacher, I have no idea where I will be going, nor do I know what grade (K to 6) I’ll be asked to teach. When I am prepared with something, I can handle the classes a little bit better, than if I walk in with nothing. After making my copies (about an hour), I went to an internet café to upload the previous blog. I also started uploading a few photos (6) onto my other web site. I was planning to upload more photos, but the internet café was full – no computers were available.
Today, I was a substitute teacher for another teacher who was in the building; however, she was substituting for another teacher who was absent. Today I was stopped in the hall and asked about my sub. assignment. I explained to the woman not realizing (until a student told me later) that I was talking to the teacher I was substituting for, that was when I realized that the teacher I was subbing for was not the one with the broken ankle.
My schedule (today) was the same as the previous days; also, I had the exact same classes, so I had to come up with some lesson plans, or else the students would be wilder than usual.
Highlights:
I had a couple of pre-k classes. The pre-k kids are nice (relatively speaking), but I am not a pre-k teacher. I don’t really like working with the very little kids; they are too needy. The first pre-k class teacher was a little reluctant to leave the room, but once she saw my classroom management was okay, she was comfortable with leaving the room. Today, she was even more comfortable with leaving an assignment for me to do. I was suppose to collect the drawings of each student and ask each student what he (or she) drew, then I had to write what each child told me into a notebook. Unfortunately, as soon as the teacher left, the little ones started coming up to me at the same time each talking at the same time. I just gave up. I was also a little annoyed that the assistant teacher said she was going to the bathroom, but ended up staying out for most of the period.
The second pre-k class teacher seemed more willing to leave me alone with her class; she left me alone on the first day. The assistant teacher also took this time as her lunch period, so again I was alone with the little ones. Last Friday, the assistant teacher told me that a parent volunteer would come in and help me. The volunteer came in looked around, and left. Today, I was alone with the kids, but the assistant teacher took the most disruptive kid with her, so the class was actually very nice…relatively speaking!
The second grade class was a bit disruptive, but relatively speaking they were a nice bunch.
From the second grade I went to the other pre-k class. From the pre-k class on the first floor, I had a sixth grade class on the third floor, at the opposite end of the building. Which brings me to the bell schedule; there are no bells between classes, and no travel time between periods, and a couple of the teachers return to the class late, which makes me late for the next class.
The Kindergarten class was nice…again relatively speaking. Although I don’t like teaching the little kids, I would have to say that the kindergarten class today was the best of the classes that I had today.
What about the sixth grade class. I’ll keep this short by saying, “similar to junior high school public schools in Japan; the students were aggressive, arrogant, immature and many seemed to not care less about learning anything.
For lunch, I drank a Nutrament health shake. I miss the healthy choices in Japan. I think I am going to try to make onigiri (rice balls). Of all the foods, I think I miss the onigiri the most. A healthy meal in a ball. Whenever I was hungry, I would eat a couple of onigiri, and drink a bottle of green tea. Now, here in New York, the shelves are overflowing with junk food.
Well, it is getting late, so I better stop now. I still have to shower and iron my clothes for tomorrow. Ja mata…
END ========================================================
November 17, 2005
This week I’ve been substituting at the same school. I thought this school was much better than the other two, but yesterday proved that it isn’t much better than the other schools.
Yesterday, most of the day went okay, with the exception of the 6th grade class that I had. One boy in the class, decided to just walk out of the class. Then another student (a girl) decided to follow. When they returned, they were loud and disruptive. The boy would not stop banging on the desk. The girl wandered the room causing other students to be disruptive. One, for walking out of the room without permission, two for not doing the work (that I had assigned), and three for being disruptive; I decided that the disruptive students would eat lunch last. I stayed in the lunch room to make sure that the students ate last. The students did not like that so they argued with me and were incredibly disrespectful; one girl was more disrespectful than the other two students. Curious about what a 6th grade students might say to the teacher in a lunch room filled with kids, school aids, and parent volunteers?
“Get out of my face.”
“You’re ugly. I can’t stand looking at your face.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Who do you think you are?”
This is just a sample coming from a 11 (or 12) year old girl. I was determined to not back down. And in the end, the two girls did eat last. The boy decided that since I was keeping him from eating when he wanted to, he was not going to eat at all. I ended up giving up my lunch period, but I thought that it was necessary. As a general rule, classes don’t usually treat the substitute with respect, but the level of disrespect was a surprise to me. For me, it was important to not have the students believing that they control the classroom.
So what was the result? Today, I had a very good day in the 6th grade class…relatively speaking! I just reminded the class that they could either have me for 45 minutes, or they could have me again in the lunch room. Sending the message that I mean business helped me win the battle, but not the war. I don’t believe for a minute that the class will be well behaved from now on. The only thing I accomplished was increasing my level of respect in the eyes on the students in that class.
Today was a long day, but a relatively nice day. Since I was in a relatively good mood, I accepted an after-school substitute assignment. I was tired, but I said okay. After the assignment, I went to Staples office supply store to make some copies for tomorrow. Today the only photocopy machine at the school was out of order.
Well, I’ll end this entry now. Ja mata…
Monday, November 14, 2005
Highlights and updates. Yes, it has been a long time since my last entry. First, I have returned to “teaching” in NY public schools. It took me a few days to readjust to “teaching" in public schools here in New York. Also, I started falling behind with my entries, but not wanting to leave anything out, I have been compiling a notebook of each entry that I would write about in the future. However, the more notes that I wrote, the more I procrastinated about writing. I could continue with the excuses, but instead I will just go right into the highlights from the past couple of weeks.
Highlights:
October 21st
After trying (unsuccessfully) several times to get a live person on the phone (from the Board of Education) to help me with my application process, I decided to go down in person. First, a little background information.
When I returned to New York I thought that I would have no problem getting back into the system, unfortunately, I was incorrect. While I was away in Japan, my (provisional) teaching license expired. I was told that it would take about 4 months to complete the application process (not including the new test and the workshop on school violence that I would have to take). I was told that I could apply for a substitute teaching certificate (which would allow me to start working much sooner).
On September 12, 2005 I delivered my application for a substitute teaching certificate at the BOE headquarters. I was told that it would take about 10 to 20 days to be processed. After 20 business days passed, I returned to the HQ to find out what happened. I had not received any notice or certificate. I went to the 4th floor, which was where I submitted my application. I was told that the certificate was mailed on the 16th of September (and that I was approved on the 16th of September). The secretary suggested that I go to the 8th floor (records dept.) ask to look in my file, make a photocopy of the certificate, and use that copy until the BOE sends me another one. Without some kind of certificate, I can’t set foot inside a school. In the record room, I looked in my file to find that a copy was not in it. I was told that I should wait another week, and maybe it would be placed into my file. I mentioned that I could not wait, so it was suggested that I go to the 3rd floor (sorry, as I am typing this, I forgot what dept. was on the 3rd floor). On the 3rd floor, I was told that there was nothing there for me, but that I should go to the 8th floor. And on the 8th floor, I received the same information. Basically, I was getting the runaround. Finally (after pleading poverty), I was told to go around the corner and ask to speak to Mary. Around the corner, I asked to speak to Mary, but I was told that there were 3 Marys. However, the secretary there was helpful enough to give me a printout of her screen that showed I did have approval to do substitute teaching. With that photocopy, I was able to return to my old school for sub. teaching assignments. Since I was in a good mood, I decided to walk to the Brooklyn Bridge (from the BOE HQ), but I ended up walking to Canal Street (about an hour walk). About a week later, I returned to the BOE (for a BOE photo ID), this time, I walked home from the BOE HQ in Brooklyn. The walk took about 4 hours. I did take some photos; I hope to have the photos up on my other web site (hopefully, some time next week).
October 22nd
I received an application letter stating that I was approved for substitute teaching and that I would receive my certificate and BOE photo ID application in a few days. I suspect that I only received the notice because I went downtown to the HQ. I bought a cheap prepaid cell phone (with calling card).
The process for substitute teaching is that I would have to go to each school (that I wanted to substitute teach at), and the school would call me if they needed a substitute teacher. With the cell phone, I wanted the schools to not call for me on my foster father’s house phone; they could reach me directly through the cell phone. I still don’t like cell phones, but in this case, a cell phone is a necessity.
October 25th
My first day substitute teaching at my old school, I was assigned to cover the Math Cluster (prep) teacher. My classes for the day were 2 pre-K classes and 3 third grade classes. The pre-K classes (before kindergarten) were nice, I was basically just assisting the assistant teacher. The 3rd grades were another story. The first two were basically how I remembered teaching in public school was before I left. Each class became progressively worst. The last class, at the last period was the worst. I could barely control the class.
Since this is just the highlights I have to leave out details, including the comparisons between the public schools here and in Japan. I know there are a couple of my pen pals (teachers from Japan) who were looking forward to reading details about my teaching experiences here in New York. However, in order to get back on track with this blog, I have to skip the details for the moment. Sorry.
October 26th
Today I was assigned to takeover another 3rd grade class, from a teacher who was in the building but she was busy doing some kind of head teacher program. There were also visitors watching a part of her reading lesson. During the morning, I was so impressed with the teacher’s style and control of her class. The students were so well behaved that I couldn’t wait to take over the class. And then, I got my wish…
In English, there is an expression, “be very careful what you wish for, because your wish just might come true”.
As soon as the teacher left the room (about 5 or 10 minutes) the class went wild. They argued with each other, threw things across the room, and would not stay in their seats. I was shocked, confused, and angry. I did not understand what had happened. It was like I was stepping in front of a classroom for the first time. Nothing…Nothing I did or said had any impact. The class was wild and out of control from the moment I stepped in front of the room, until their teacher returned at 3pm the end of the day. I wanted to keep them in after school, but the teacher needed the room for after-school tutoring. She (the teacher) suggested that I go to the principal to ask if it was okay to keep the students in after school in another room. Knowing full well, what the answer would have been, I did not bother. Again, I used to teach at that school, and after 3 years, I had had enough. At that school, the principal does not allow teachers to keep students after school (unless a request is made in advance [and I think with parent’s approval]). The kids know that they can’t be kept after school (and they act accordingly).
By the end of the day, I was so disgusted (and angry) that I was planning to not set foot in that school again. The principal (and the assist principal) both spent about an hour trying to convince me that I should not take the students behavior personal. Although they (both) made very good arguments, I was still stuck on my one point. I could not control the class. From my point of view (never mind not being able to teach anything), if I could not control the class I was useless. I really, really did not want to be put in that situation again.
After about an hour, I agreed that I would return to the school (the principal said that he would give me an easier assignment). I’d agreed to return to school, because I was planning to return anyway but for a different reason. The class was so out of control, the only threat I had was to take away their recess time. My plan was to come to the school just to take away the class’ recess time, and then I would leave the school to go to the BOE for my photo ID. It would mean losing a day’s salary, but I did not care. When the principal heard my plan, that is when he suggested that I shouldn’t give up a day’s pay over one class, he said that I should return the next day, and he would give me an easier assignment; he also said that we should talk more at the end of the day. Rather than argue, I agreed.
October 27th
I arrived at school around 10:30 (twenty minutes before 3rd graders went to lunch). The class was out of the room (out of class prep [music or science]. When they returned, I explained why I was there. I told them that if I had to lose a day’s pay to deal with them, then I would. I think my presence really shook the class. I really don’t think they expected me to have kept my word. Remember, I used to teach at this school. 1. you have to mean what you say. 2. you have to put things in a way that the kids understand. Returning to the school (just to do a lunch time detention), even though I did not have to, got their attention. The class was 100% (uh….85% better behaved). I told the class that if they acted up during the lunch period (or did not listen to me), then I would stay to dismiss the class, and return again tomorrow to do it all over again. Since they did not want me there again, for the most part, the class listened to me. Unfortunately, I over-stayed my visit.
After lunch they got a little bit restless, and decided to test me. Each time I was about to leave a student (or students) would say or do something (like clapping). And each time, I added more time for each disruption. And the longer I stayed, the wilder the class became. At one point (in the room), there were 3 adults (myself, the substitute teacher [usually he is the writing Cluster teacher], and the social studies prep teacher), but the class was just as wild. Finally, I changed tactics. I singled out individual students as the reason why I did not leave, and finally, the class was quiet enough for me to leave. They went wild as soon as I left the room; one student even followed me down the stairs to make sure I was really leaving.
I did not win the war, but I won the battle. I kept my word, and I let them know I am the teacher, and I am the one in charge...relatively speaking.
A couple of teachers in the building mentioned that my time in Japan probably softened me, so that is why I probably had difficulty adjusting. I didn’t want to believe what they were saying (especially considering the some of the nonsense that I went through while I was teaching in Japanese public schools, however, I think they might be correct. Anyway, I felt really good about myself.
Oh by the way, if you are interested (or curious) about what the easier assignment was -- it was teaching in pre-k. So the next day after the lunch detention, I had a pre-k for the day. The pre-k experience is also an entry in itself, but again, if I go back and try to write from the notes that I'd written, then I would continue procrastinating with this blog. I'll have to pass on writing about my pre-k experience. It wasn't a bad experience, but just interesting in terms of kids, and the changing education experience. After the pre-k experience, I was given the 4th grade TAG (Talented And Gifted) class. I'll just sum up my TAG experience with, "you don't want to know what passes as a talented class. Basically, they were TAG in name only. They were closer to the 3rd grade class I mentioned above. However, relatively speaking, the TAG class was a good class...Relatively speaking!!
After the lunch time detention, I went to the BOE to submit my direct deposit application. With the substitute teaching circuit I’m on, if I did not get direct deposit for my salary, then every payday (twice a month), I would have to go to every school I taught at for that month to pick up my salary. Oh by the way, to ensure that I had enough schools calling me for substitute teaching assignments, I sent my resume (with cover letter) and a copy of my per diem (substitute) teacher’s certificate to about 75 schools. Although the policy is to deliver my certificate to each school in person, I really didn’t want to waste a day traveling from school to school introducing myself. I though that I could just e-mail the information, but NYC public schools seemed to be even more behind the times then I imagined Tokyo public schools to be. After searching the internet for about an hour, I could not find a single e-mail address. Since my own computer skills are so low, it is possible that I overlooked something, but I doubt it.
Anyway, I made 75 copies of my resume and certificate, and used Microsoft word label maker to make the labels and sent my information by snail mail(post). At the time of this writing, I’d taught in about 3 different schools. 2 schools seemed (in their own way) to be identical, the third seems to be much nicer (relatively speaking). At first, I was eager to get my own classroom in any school, but now I’m not. Here in New York, you don’t have much choice when it comes to choosing what school you are assigned to. It is the same as business, it is not what you know, it is who you know. In this case, knowing the principal will put you in a good school.
Well, I think I will stop about now. There were other similar situations in other schools, but again, I think you have the general idea. Also, I consider this blog, a catch up entry. Starting now, I can submit current entries. I hope.
Now, that I’ve caught up with my blog entries, I can now catch up with my e-mails. Until next time…
END ========================================================
Highlights:
October 21st
After trying (unsuccessfully) several times to get a live person on the phone (from the Board of Education) to help me with my application process, I decided to go down in person. First, a little background information.
When I returned to New York I thought that I would have no problem getting back into the system, unfortunately, I was incorrect. While I was away in Japan, my (provisional) teaching license expired. I was told that it would take about 4 months to complete the application process (not including the new test and the workshop on school violence that I would have to take). I was told that I could apply for a substitute teaching certificate (which would allow me to start working much sooner).
On September 12, 2005 I delivered my application for a substitute teaching certificate at the BOE headquarters. I was told that it would take about 10 to 20 days to be processed. After 20 business days passed, I returned to the HQ to find out what happened. I had not received any notice or certificate. I went to the 4th floor, which was where I submitted my application. I was told that the certificate was mailed on the 16th of September (and that I was approved on the 16th of September). The secretary suggested that I go to the 8th floor (records dept.) ask to look in my file, make a photocopy of the certificate, and use that copy until the BOE sends me another one. Without some kind of certificate, I can’t set foot inside a school. In the record room, I looked in my file to find that a copy was not in it. I was told that I should wait another week, and maybe it would be placed into my file. I mentioned that I could not wait, so it was suggested that I go to the 3rd floor (sorry, as I am typing this, I forgot what dept. was on the 3rd floor). On the 3rd floor, I was told that there was nothing there for me, but that I should go to the 8th floor. And on the 8th floor, I received the same information. Basically, I was getting the runaround. Finally (after pleading poverty), I was told to go around the corner and ask to speak to Mary. Around the corner, I asked to speak to Mary, but I was told that there were 3 Marys. However, the secretary there was helpful enough to give me a printout of her screen that showed I did have approval to do substitute teaching. With that photocopy, I was able to return to my old school for sub. teaching assignments. Since I was in a good mood, I decided to walk to the Brooklyn Bridge (from the BOE HQ), but I ended up walking to Canal Street (about an hour walk). About a week later, I returned to the BOE (for a BOE photo ID), this time, I walked home from the BOE HQ in Brooklyn. The walk took about 4 hours. I did take some photos; I hope to have the photos up on my other web site (hopefully, some time next week).
October 22nd
I received an application letter stating that I was approved for substitute teaching and that I would receive my certificate and BOE photo ID application in a few days. I suspect that I only received the notice because I went downtown to the HQ. I bought a cheap prepaid cell phone (with calling card).
The process for substitute teaching is that I would have to go to each school (that I wanted to substitute teach at), and the school would call me if they needed a substitute teacher. With the cell phone, I wanted the schools to not call for me on my foster father’s house phone; they could reach me directly through the cell phone. I still don’t like cell phones, but in this case, a cell phone is a necessity.
October 25th
My first day substitute teaching at my old school, I was assigned to cover the Math Cluster (prep) teacher. My classes for the day were 2 pre-K classes and 3 third grade classes. The pre-K classes (before kindergarten) were nice, I was basically just assisting the assistant teacher. The 3rd grades were another story. The first two were basically how I remembered teaching in public school was before I left. Each class became progressively worst. The last class, at the last period was the worst. I could barely control the class.
Since this is just the highlights I have to leave out details, including the comparisons between the public schools here and in Japan. I know there are a couple of my pen pals (teachers from Japan) who were looking forward to reading details about my teaching experiences here in New York. However, in order to get back on track with this blog, I have to skip the details for the moment. Sorry.
October 26th
Today I was assigned to takeover another 3rd grade class, from a teacher who was in the building but she was busy doing some kind of head teacher program. There were also visitors watching a part of her reading lesson. During the morning, I was so impressed with the teacher’s style and control of her class. The students were so well behaved that I couldn’t wait to take over the class. And then, I got my wish…
In English, there is an expression, “be very careful what you wish for, because your wish just might come true”.
As soon as the teacher left the room (about 5 or 10 minutes) the class went wild. They argued with each other, threw things across the room, and would not stay in their seats. I was shocked, confused, and angry. I did not understand what had happened. It was like I was stepping in front of a classroom for the first time. Nothing…Nothing I did or said had any impact. The class was wild and out of control from the moment I stepped in front of the room, until their teacher returned at 3pm the end of the day. I wanted to keep them in after school, but the teacher needed the room for after-school tutoring. She (the teacher) suggested that I go to the principal to ask if it was okay to keep the students in after school in another room. Knowing full well, what the answer would have been, I did not bother. Again, I used to teach at that school, and after 3 years, I had had enough. At that school, the principal does not allow teachers to keep students after school (unless a request is made in advance [and I think with parent’s approval]). The kids know that they can’t be kept after school (and they act accordingly).
By the end of the day, I was so disgusted (and angry) that I was planning to not set foot in that school again. The principal (and the assist principal) both spent about an hour trying to convince me that I should not take the students behavior personal. Although they (both) made very good arguments, I was still stuck on my one point. I could not control the class. From my point of view (never mind not being able to teach anything), if I could not control the class I was useless. I really, really did not want to be put in that situation again.
After about an hour, I agreed that I would return to the school (the principal said that he would give me an easier assignment). I’d agreed to return to school, because I was planning to return anyway but for a different reason. The class was so out of control, the only threat I had was to take away their recess time. My plan was to come to the school just to take away the class’ recess time, and then I would leave the school to go to the BOE for my photo ID. It would mean losing a day’s salary, but I did not care. When the principal heard my plan, that is when he suggested that I shouldn’t give up a day’s pay over one class, he said that I should return the next day, and he would give me an easier assignment; he also said that we should talk more at the end of the day. Rather than argue, I agreed.
October 27th
I arrived at school around 10:30 (twenty minutes before 3rd graders went to lunch). The class was out of the room (out of class prep [music or science]. When they returned, I explained why I was there. I told them that if I had to lose a day’s pay to deal with them, then I would. I think my presence really shook the class. I really don’t think they expected me to have kept my word. Remember, I used to teach at this school. 1. you have to mean what you say. 2. you have to put things in a way that the kids understand. Returning to the school (just to do a lunch time detention), even though I did not have to, got their attention. The class was 100% (uh….85% better behaved). I told the class that if they acted up during the lunch period (or did not listen to me), then I would stay to dismiss the class, and return again tomorrow to do it all over again. Since they did not want me there again, for the most part, the class listened to me. Unfortunately, I over-stayed my visit.
After lunch they got a little bit restless, and decided to test me. Each time I was about to leave a student (or students) would say or do something (like clapping). And each time, I added more time for each disruption. And the longer I stayed, the wilder the class became. At one point (in the room), there were 3 adults (myself, the substitute teacher [usually he is the writing Cluster teacher], and the social studies prep teacher), but the class was just as wild. Finally, I changed tactics. I singled out individual students as the reason why I did not leave, and finally, the class was quiet enough for me to leave. They went wild as soon as I left the room; one student even followed me down the stairs to make sure I was really leaving.
I did not win the war, but I won the battle. I kept my word, and I let them know I am the teacher, and I am the one in charge...relatively speaking.
A couple of teachers in the building mentioned that my time in Japan probably softened me, so that is why I probably had difficulty adjusting. I didn’t want to believe what they were saying (especially considering the some of the nonsense that I went through while I was teaching in Japanese public schools, however, I think they might be correct. Anyway, I felt really good about myself.
Oh by the way, if you are interested (or curious) about what the easier assignment was -- it was teaching in pre-k. So the next day after the lunch detention, I had a pre-k for the day. The pre-k experience is also an entry in itself, but again, if I go back and try to write from the notes that I'd written, then I would continue procrastinating with this blog. I'll have to pass on writing about my pre-k experience. It wasn't a bad experience, but just interesting in terms of kids, and the changing education experience. After the pre-k experience, I was given the 4th grade TAG (Talented And Gifted) class. I'll just sum up my TAG experience with, "you don't want to know what passes as a talented class. Basically, they were TAG in name only. They were closer to the 3rd grade class I mentioned above. However, relatively speaking, the TAG class was a good class...Relatively speaking!!
After the lunch time detention, I went to the BOE to submit my direct deposit application. With the substitute teaching circuit I’m on, if I did not get direct deposit for my salary, then every payday (twice a month), I would have to go to every school I taught at for that month to pick up my salary. Oh by the way, to ensure that I had enough schools calling me for substitute teaching assignments, I sent my resume (with cover letter) and a copy of my per diem (substitute) teacher’s certificate to about 75 schools. Although the policy is to deliver my certificate to each school in person, I really didn’t want to waste a day traveling from school to school introducing myself. I though that I could just e-mail the information, but NYC public schools seemed to be even more behind the times then I imagined Tokyo public schools to be. After searching the internet for about an hour, I could not find a single e-mail address. Since my own computer skills are so low, it is possible that I overlooked something, but I doubt it.
Anyway, I made 75 copies of my resume and certificate, and used Microsoft word label maker to make the labels and sent my information by snail mail(post). At the time of this writing, I’d taught in about 3 different schools. 2 schools seemed (in their own way) to be identical, the third seems to be much nicer (relatively speaking). At first, I was eager to get my own classroom in any school, but now I’m not. Here in New York, you don’t have much choice when it comes to choosing what school you are assigned to. It is the same as business, it is not what you know, it is who you know. In this case, knowing the principal will put you in a good school.
Well, I think I will stop about now. There were other similar situations in other schools, but again, I think you have the general idea. Also, I consider this blog, a catch up entry. Starting now, I can submit current entries. I hope.
Now, that I’ve caught up with my blog entries, I can now catch up with my e-mails. Until next time…
END ========================================================
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