Location: St. Augustine, FL
About Me: A high school Biology teacher's coping with rosacea while living in the interesting and sometimes insane world of public education.
October 23, 2005
School politics and continuing colon problems
Last week we had our science department meeting to 'get input' on switching 9th grade Biology and 10th grade Physical Science for future years. I spoke up forcefully against the change, citing the following:
1) There was no compelling reason to make this change.
2) This change would throw the department into chaos, forcing some Biology teachers next year to teach Physical Science and visa versa. Several teachers might have to take additional coursework in order to be certified in physical science. One or two Chemistry teachers might even need to switch over to Physical Science as well. Who knows what shifts we may need to accomplish this task?
3) The 9th grade academy, which I fought against, was instituted in order to isolate the 9th graders and allow them time to mature. This switch would further mix the classes with both 9th and 10th grade students when 9th grade honors level Biology students (who remain on the 9th grade track) dropped into the regular level in the 10th grade by making a "C" or below in class. This would defeat the administration's main argument for originally forming the 9th grade academy.
4) We don't even have a decent Physical Science book chosen. Our current book would be horrible for 9th grade students and we are taking it on faith that an excellent book could be found that would meet the needs of 9th grade students.
On a different note, the weekend went ok. We adopted out 3 rescued cats at Goliath and Bebe's World. I took a comfortable seat which I actually used a little, but by the end of the day my colon was spasming and I left there doubled over. I took a prednisone when I returned home, but it was still a rough night. I have an appointment at a gastroenterologist Wednesday and hopefully over the next weeks they can determine the trouble. From my own research I think it will prove to be Crohn's Disease, diverticulitis, or carcinoma. I'm hoping that whatever they find will be easily treatable, but with the stress level so high lately at school I have doubts that will happen. The stress does seem to be making a huge impact upon symptoms now and it's a daily battle to teach. The rosacea is still acting up but is almost an afterthought lately with the other health problem. Oh well, what will come will come and there's not a lot I can do about it except try to get treatment.
If anyone out there is thinking of becoming a teacher, PLEASE read my posts and consider carefully what you are getting into before making this decision! Teaching is enjoyable and very rewarding but the increasing noneducational garbage ruins what could be an excellent profession. The stress can take years from your life and wreck your health. In the current educational climate I would not recommend this as a profession unless I truly hated the person and I don't dislike anyone enough at this point in my life to wish this upon them.
Posted by Ken Albin on October 23, 2005 10:48 AM