I had planned to post about my singing venture at the nursing home today....but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I was in Wal-Mart today and the rudest man was eavesdropping on a conversation between the cashier and myself....she asked me if I was ready to start back to school...August 2nd is just around the corner...and before I told her yes....he piped in with....oh yeah....lucky you....the perpetual summer....only work nine months a year...and get paid for twelve. I turned around, smiled and asked him if he was a salaried employee? He responded in the affirmative...and I told him...so was I. I CHOSE to take my nine month salary and have it spread out over twelve months so it did not interrupt my insurance. He seemed rather ashamed....but all the way home from Alex City to Rock Mills...it just gnawed at me....and then when I got home someone had sent me the greatest email....and I had to share it with you. BTW....Have you heard about the next planned "Survivor" show? Three businessmen(I hope it is the guy in Wal-Mart) and three businesswomen will be dropped in an elementary school classroom for 1 school year. Each business person will be provided with a copy of his/her school district's curriculum, and a class of 20-25(good thing they are not being dropped into the high school....I have had 32 students in one class...180 per year) students. Each class will have a minimum of five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.H.D(for the rookies out there....that means....Attention Deficit Hyperactive disorder)., one gifted child, and two who speak limited English. Three students will be labeled with severe behavior problems. Each business person must complete lesson plans at least a week in advance, with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organize, or create their materials accordingly. They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, reward the students, write referrals, correct homework, make bulletin boards, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents, and arrange parent conferences. They must also stand in their doorway between class changes to monitor the hallways. Lower grades will be required to do breakfast duty, lunch duty, after school care and walk the students to the bus. In addition, they will complete fire drills, tornado drills, and [Code Red] drills for shooting attacks each month. They will also take ill students to the nurse, clean up "accidents" as well as disinfecting desks, tables, and anything else that the student comes in contact with. They will provide equipment and supplies out of their own money. They must attend workshops, faculty meetings,and attend curriculum development meetings. They must also tutor students who are behind and strive to get their 2 non-English speaking children proficient enough to take the state imposed tests. If they are sick or having a bad day they must not let it show. Each day they must incorporate reading, writing, math, science, and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment to motivate students at all times. If all students do not wish to cooperate, work, or learn, the teacher will be held responsible. The business people will only have access to the public golf course on the weekends, but with their new salary, they may not be able to afford it. There will be no access to vendors who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to thirty minutes, which is not counted as part of their work day. Quick digress...several years ago...my mom had lunch with me and two of my teacher buddies....we ordered our Arby's sandwiches....sat down, unwrapped them....and never spoke again until the food was gone....or the eating period was over. My mom thought it was the weirdest thing she had ever seen....She said...you all dropped your heads, ate, never spoke...and then it was like someone had rung a bell...and you all packed up....whether you were finished or not....and sat....fidgeting....ready to go. Well.. duh....we went to school ourselves for 13+ years....where we only had 30 minutes for lunch....and now we do it everyday....and heaven forbid that you should have to go to the bathroom during that time....eat faster....or eat on the way to the bathroom. Anyways, back to my story....The business people will be permitted to use the restroom, as long as another survival candidate can supervise their class. If the copier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials before, or after, school. However, they cannot surpass their monthly limit of copies. The business people must continually advance their education, at their expense, and on their own time. The winner of this Season of Survivor will be allowed to return to their job. I worked in the business world before I became a teacher...so I understand the stress and stuff that goes along with that job....and I am tolerant of it. So...next time you are tempted to say to a teacher....ahhhh....you only teach for June, July and August....think twice....don't say it....besides...I start back...August 2nd....and have been taking two classes all summer. Teaching is NOT easy. It is not a big paying job.....BUT...it is my job....and I love it. I don't like it when people make fun of it....or me. Soooo....sorry you got a soap box today....laced with humor....tomorrow I will tell you the singing story...it is a riot! BTW, my good friend Kevin Lanier made the eagle picture in Alaska a few weeks ago. Pretty awesome huh?
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