Main » October 2004

October 25, 2004

Calm thoughts

Hi all. I have been listening to a relaxation DVD before bedtime the past few nights and it has helped with the sleeping and general tension. Unfortunately the air conditioning went out today. The 85 degree temp made the flushing worse and the kids were cranky.

We began a unit on sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, and roundworms. The lab on sponges went well with the students.

I began another generation of triops at home from eggs laid by two of my older ones. 76 triops hatched out. I gave some away and took some to school to populate the tank there.

That's about all here. Other than the heat it was not a bad day.

Posted by at 02:12 PM | Comments (1)

October 18, 2004

Monday, Monday

Friday was quite an experience. Troubles still abound with the new computer system. No one seemed to know exactly how to factor in the exam grades after calculating assignment percentages for the 9 weeks. Several discussions with teachers who had some idea of how to adjust scores and I was able to figure out the eSIS grade recording section. Whoever agreed to implement this program should be taken into the town square and publically flogged. I still have some typing of grades to finish up Monday but with luck I just may be able to finish on time.

They suspended the girl who skipped my final exam. As is typical of educators, the dean has retreated from her position that I should give a "0" to this student. She probably received a lot of pressure from mom and now I have been asked to give the midterm to this student. Mom probably hasn't figured out that with her child's current average she would need a 120 out of 100 in order to pass the term! So.... I get to carry through with this farce and waste my time grading a test that will make no difference. I would be more sympathetic but this student was earlier in another Biology teacher's class and repeatedly skipped that class as well. When she realized she was failing the other class, she came up with an allegation about another student that got her a transfer to my class. She then proceeded to skip 5 days of class for me to spend a extra lunch with her friends. Sympathy?

I collected money for a future field trip to Busch Gardens. As usual, most waited until the last day (today) to turn in their forms and money. After school I took the materials across campus to give to the teacher in charge of the trip. Upon returning to my room, a student was waiting with her forms and money. I ran this back across campus to the collecting teacher. I then went back to my room to get my roll book. A second student met me in the hallway with his forms. Back again I went to the other teacher. Finally I went back to my room to lock up and leave. I bet you can't guess what happened next. Yep. One more trip across campus.

In between all of this I taught about protists with some success. At the end of this long day I almost crawled to my car. I will skip the details about the flushing as you can probably guess how bad it was. With all of the built up tension from the week I had insomnia and spent almost all night awake. I managed to relax a little Saturday, but this led to a migraine Sunday morning.

Other than the above, it was a lovely week. I'm trying to relax Sunday evening and build up a little stamina for next week. I hope that both the school environment and my mood improves soon. If this keeps up I may have a little pity party for myself before I drop from exhaustion.

Posted by at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2004

Midterms

I had an experience that left me shaking today. A student of mine who has previously shown a need for attention from me as a sort of 'father figure' stayed after for help on how to study for the upcoming exam. It turned out that he really just needed a sounding board for his frustrations and pain. His home life is not a happy one and he told me he has had thoughts of running away from home, suicide, and murder. As he is currently on heavy meds and has a history of being institutionalized for suicide attempts, these are not idle thoughts. He would like to escape his current abusive situation and live with his grandmother. Instead of trying to give advice, I just let him pour out his thoughts and did active listening. A lot of tears later he felt better. Then I suggested he sit down and discuss his concerns and wishes with both the grandmother and mother. I also suggested that he continue to work closely with his guidance counselor in resolving his problems. He had already told her pretty much what he told me and guidance has been in contact with the mom and grandmother. I am still going to update them tomorrow morning so they will know precisely what the current situation is.

This is what people do not understand about teaching. Most people think that we work a 7 hour day and then prop our feet up and rest. The truth is that we take on a lot of emotional baggage from students. We are their sounding boards, compassionate listeners. Sometimes that is what they most need, but it is emotionally draining on us. My rosacea has flared up again with the stress of not wanting to say the wrong thing to him. I am completely exhausted as I sit here and type this. Ice packs on my neck and aspirin help a little, but I don't know how much more I can take. I love the idea that I am helping in situations like that, or at least am helping the students to feel better. On the other hand, it's a heavy responsibility and my body pays a price. I need a cruise!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!

Posted by at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2004

Tying up loose ends

Well, we finished the last chapter we will cover before giving the midterm exams. My wife Karen came in Friday and put on her 'dog and pony show' where she ran through a few water and bacterial tests with the kids. They seemed to enjoy it, especially the gross stuff like bacteria and waste water samples! Next week we review for the exam a little. Thursday and Friday are exams and we keep trucking on with protists.

The rosacea is about the same all the time now. Red cheeks most of the time, but it could be worse. This is really a looooong period of time in school and both the students and I need a break badly. I will keep beating down the rosacea and trying to keep calm amidst the madness.

Posted by at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)

October 05, 2004

Not a bad day at all

I'm sitting here with tired and swollen feet propped up. Today I read a passage from Daniel Defoe's "A Journal of the Plague Year" to focus upon the real fears that people had of the ravages of bubonic plague. We then finished some work in the bacteria/virus chapter. Tomorrow it's wrapup time with a Jeopardy review game and a video on bacteria. Friday my wife Karen is due to come in and walk through some of the tests she does as St. Augustine's city chemist. The kids always have fun helping to conduct these bacteriological and chemical tests.

The rosacea is doing fair. Monday I overdid it with a lot of walking during a bacterial lab and my face has been pink since then. So far I am keeping a lot of the redness away, but I really need a break from school and stress so I can lower my blood pressure and relax. Perhaps a day off in the near future would help. I know that my feet would thank me.

Posted by at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)