kids are people too!

I enter the class and greet the children, "Good afternoon!"

They respond, "BAD!"

"Hey, hey, did I ask you how you are? no. I simply greeted you. Now, how are you?"

All in chorus, "BAD!" One sweet, oddly shaped little girl raises her hand, "how do you say 'stressed'?" I tell her and she seems amused.

I quickly change the subject, "Well then, what are the plans for the weekend? Anyone going skiing?"

She raises her hand again, "How do you say 'suicide'?"

This, from an 11 year old.

nuthin' new

but I thought I should write something, just to let you know that I'm alive, seeings how I live in a very dangerous environment and all, freeways, speeding cars.

Oh, the principal of the school, she looks like she could play middle linebacker for the Steelers.

turn for the worse

are we products or our environments? Are cops and teachers born assholes or is it their job that makes them that way?

I intended to impose collective punishment on the entire 7th grade class today; they were to spend half of their lunch break with me, in the classroom, in their seats, not in the caf' eating food, talking, having fun.

That's when I noticed the looks on their faces. In their eyes, I saw my future dismissal from the school should I continue with this policy, for I am a firm believer the following axiom:

Keeping the students happy
keeps the parents happy which
keeps the enrollment up which
keeps the money coming in which
keeps my boss happy and I
keep my job.

so...I decided to just punish those who were disturbing class.

so, you see, I'm experiencing a war within, an internal battle. I fear that I may be taken to the dark side. The authoritarian wants me!

The pink slip.

MC Ward spoke of trousers in one of his recent, most fine pieces. I, on the other hand, would like to consider the slip, the pink-slip, to be exact. Context sensitive, it is not a woman's undergarment. When in a classroom, the referring to such a thing during random, nay, ordinary classroom chaos can, and most of the time will, strike the fear of god into the heart of the casual student. The dastard, however, should be made to return home to pee and em with one in hand. Yours truly had the pleasure of doling out such a fine parchment just yesterweek to a kid who demonstrates great potential for criminal mischief. I had balked at such an action several times previous, however, I have finally made good on my intentions, and not without a result in the positive, fortunately. I fear, however, that several others of a similar ilk may have to share a similar fate. Sooner or later, they will come to know that I am a force with which they must reckon.