aint worth writing about

What the Hell is going on in education????

I am writing, once again, to try to get someone to understand what is going on in the smaller and less noticeable areas of education. I have been involved with advocacy for special education students since I was eleven years old and have now been working in the field as an educator/leader for the past 21 years. There is a problem that has come up times too numerous to count throughout those years that I have been powerless to address, though I have written about it constantly.
Arbitrary requirements with regard to our special needs populations have been proposed in every district and every school with which I have been associated. The whole concept of which is absolutely in opposition to the concept behind the individualized nature of Special education. In fact, the idea that ALL students pass a certain requirement is against the "I" in the IEP that all special education students have to guide their education. I will not go into past problems as those are just that, but things are still going on that need to be addressed if we are to actually move on beyond the dark ages.
Right now we have schools that think they are allowed to tell the special education department that ALL students will pass a lesson with an 80% rate in order to move to the next. While this may be wonderful for an AP or Honors world, I am currently working in an "At-Risk" environment, AND with Special Education. I cannot abide by that nor should anyone think they have the right to do such a thing. I would love to say that some of my kids HAVE to pass something with an 80% before they can move on, but reality tells me that just getting a basic understanding of a concept may be the best I can get in some instances. I want these students to have a true fighting chance to move on in the world, but if we allow such ridiculous standards to be in place, we will ensure that they continue to drop out at the rates already happening.
I am sickened by the fact that I have had this same fight every year I have been in the field. I write to everyone I can think of a usually get lip service, but have never seen anyone really looking at what goes on in the classroom. I have seen people come in and look at the proverbial books and files, but never anything more than that. We need someone in every area to do "spot checks" to stop the complacency.
I realize that paperwork needs to be "clean" and up to date, but what happens specifically with the students is even more important yet more than likely overlooked. Personally, I can easily make my papers look wonderful and be in full compliance, if given the correct tools and personnel to do so, but do my students suffer while I do the books? Of course they do. Then, we have such things as mandatory passing rates. Come on! If we want education to truly change, we need to focus upon the students’ needs not the needs of the "system."
I need your help to make this happen, as I have obviously not been able to make that change myself.

The psuedo-leader of the old place

Some people just do not know when to shut the fuck up. I have to tell you, though it comes as no real surprise, the person currently in the captain's chair at the old school is probably one of the more stupid people I have ever had the displeasure of having had to work with. This person is so idiotic, he spreads rumors about people and to people he has no knowledge of. He has, in fact, tried to discredit me by saying something about my character to someone with whom I am tight and have a relationship. Can you say SLANDER??? Well I sure as FUCK can, and, if I ever hear one more slight inkling, he will know what it is like, only I will have the law on my side. I will get him in some way, but I do not want to hurt any of the kids, but, just maybe, going after his fat ass is just what the place needs. I will keep you posted.

My proposal

Remember my night school type proposal? Well, after almost two months of nothing, the husband of the CEO came to me to ask if I would help get "Our" night school off the ground. I said it was MY idea back nearly two months ago to which he said we needed to work a compromise. I said I would absolutely not do that as it was so far from my original so as to not have any of the same traits except GENERAL time.

As usual, they take things they hear and make them their own. Not this time. I didn't give them enough information so they can do it on their own. Steal my freaking idea and have the nerve to call it, "OURS" in front of the person who gave it to you. Brilliant!!!!!

I may have made a mistake by giving Rabbi Abrams my corporate school idea. I want to hook up with some company and have them give jobs and job training for future employment. We'll see.

Middle school kids

This is a query for all you parents of middle school aged kids, roughly from 10 to 14. Would you want you kids of that age mingling with those from 16 to 20? I know I wouldn't but here it is not only OK ed, it is forced because the idiots that run things do not have ANY clue about psychological development issues.

There a a slew of very specific issues that these kids deal with, which MIGHT be why they have been separated for some time now, don't ya think???

Typical, just letting you all know.

"LayOffs"??????????

Rumor has it the owner of this company is looking for "creative" ways in which to lighten her personnel load. It has come to me that she is planning on nickle and diming people regarding how they follow their contracts. Mind you. this company arbitrarily (you have heard of this style many times in the writings here) decided to change the hours the building is open thereby negating some contracts, mine included, because access to the building is now, in theory, only from 8am to 5pm. My contract starts at 7:45. Thing that make you go, hmmmmm! That is 45 minutes BEFORE anyone else. For this reason my contract ENDS 45 minutes earlier as well EXCEPT for Fridays if there is a meeting, which is also an underhanded thing to do. Everyone else has these meetings built in to his or her contract while mine is extra. Fie on me for not noticing that codicil, but fie on them for trying.

Who knows??

The implosion is imminent. Things are now almost funny as more people begin to ask questions.

The health department was at the building Monday and will be again on Wednesday, tomorrow to look at the kitchen. This thing is a complete shambles and can in no way be OKed, but, as has happened before, this woman seems to know someone. We shall see.

After being told various bullshit things by various people within the organization, I believe I have found yet another thing that someone said without truthfully knowing the law, imagine that. I was told that a kid could not be tested to exempt him form OGT or 9th proficiency AFTER he or she had completed the curriculum. Well, after being shown the Ohio Revised Code on that particular subject, it was found that there is NOTHING that says that. In fact, after talking to an ODE consultant, I found that he said he had tested people as old as 28 to determine disability.

Good one again, you morons. How much more time should we waste of this kid's?? I will be putting my knowledge in front of the administration tomorrow and cannot wait to see what it is they come up with. It should be interesting, but better be correct.

Something IS up!!!!!!

As is thought my last post, something is definitely up, but I am not being told exactly what. I first want to share with you a proposal that I have made to this employer, which I might add she took as her own idea. Though it is not new nor particularly innovative, it does have some ideas I had never thought of previously. Here it is:

Proposal for the Retention of the “Older” Student:

It is a well known fact that all educators should have as their most immediate terminal goal the “graduation: of each child from her/his particular grade with the knowledge necessary to move to the next step in life. The “older” student presents a particularly distressing problem. Graduation from high school is usually something that has eluded said student(s) for one reason or another. Often times a child will reach the age of 18 and still be in the 10th grade or so. This can be completely disturbing to her/him. Another problem could be the fact that at age 18 a parent may proverbially wash hands of the “child.” We also have some kids with kids themselves and/or jobs. We CAN keep these kids in school BUT we must not expect to do it in the “traditional” manner.

It is my belief that we should do EVERYTHING in our power to ensure that these children find the success needed to matriculate from their high school environment and embark on a post-secondary career, whether or not that includes college. The typical school day for these students just will not work, therefore we must get a bit creative.

I have had discussions and gotten emails from various people with the Ohio Department of Education and have found that there are a great many options available to us. Although we have heard and seen in various places that the student(s) needs to be in school for 920 hours during the school year. That is a very simplified version of the whole truth. The fact is that we need to AVAILABLE for at least 920 hours during the school year, this does not mandate that a student must be in attendance for that quantity of time. In fact, during my last two years of high school I was only there for about two or three classes then went home or to work. This is still a possibility according to the Office of Community Schools as long as the student is completing the work assigned.

In our school something like this should be a foregone conclusion. We are, by definition, a, “work at your own pace,” entity. We have the possibility of starting something that can have grand repercussions in our field, though it is in no way a new idea. Why do we not make the attempt to work around our students, or at least meet them somewhere in the middle? If a student completes the equivalent of 7(or whatever quantity we determine) classes within a day, why should she/he be required to sit here longer? I realize this may precipitate a culture of speed rather than accuracy, but that is the nature of the “beast.”

I propose an individualized education plan/program for the “at-risk” student. I think we should look carefully at each specific situation and design an educational experience that will work for everyone: the Student, ODE and …. We have all the tools necessary to make this happen but human resources are sorely lacking. I have kids needing one OGT and two or three classes, of which they may be nearly complete, but we are making them come here for an arbitrarily determined amount of time that has no basis in law or good sense. I would have been furious and would have just quit. That is not our goal.

This is a tentative yet purely doable idea. I will add specifics when necessary.

I sent this at the beginning of February or there about. And if you look back to around last May or so, this is not too much different. Also I have written to the governor and ODE about other problems, finally using names, which, I guess, must have finally gotten back to the "empress" as I have now crowned her. I attempt to will refrain from using "vulgar" names (though they DO fit).

Specifically, on 25 March 2008, while I was attempting to get students where they belong, the empress came down the hall ( she has only been back there twice this year) and unceremoniously ordered me to her office. I had to have given her a dumbfounded lock and know I did not immediately move, so she looked back and said, "Now." As you who know me can attest, I do not take well to anyone thinking I, or anyone else, should jump because someone says so, and this little woman is one of the lowest on my list of people I want to do ANYTHING for. So, needless to say, I was torn. I have to admit, though, that I was more than a bit nervous. I had written to quite a few people and told many about what I knew, specifically about many people's licensure through the Ohio Department of Education, which, I might add, is public knowledge. I was in no way fearful of any legal action, as everything I have done is above board, so to speak, but I was a bit worried that she would tell me to leave, which would have precipitated an horrendous verbal and legal battle. So I walked toward her office, she took a detour to the SPED wing and told me to go wait in her office. I am a 44 year old guy with family in the area of the school, Appalachia, and lower echelon Ohio, as well as upper echelon, Pinellas County Florida and St. Louis, Missouri, and she is a short late 30s woman from a different very insulated world. This like that just don't fly.

I must admit, though, she does have the "bitch" manager thing down to a science. Make sure your "victim" is off guard and then slam him with all guns. On my way to her office I stopped to talk to a few colleagues and one student, who left because he saw me ordered into the office. Others were ordered as well. Three from the SPED office, one on the net from Israel, and my supposed immediate supervisor. While waiting for them to arrive I sat in a chair on the north side of her desk while she was faced the other way toward her computer, in fact writing and reading emails. Fact you will find somewhat humorous later: I was watching over her proverbial, because she really wasn't in front of the screen as much as I was, shoulder and reading from whom the emails had come, me being one of them. That let me know that my latest email had nothing to do with the summons. She, after completely ignoring me for more than five minute, began by saying something about what I had been delving into for the past couple of months.

Once everyone was there and the Israel dude was plugged in, she began her tirade, I don't really want this to sound catty, but tirade is the only word that really describes the feeling in that room regarding her speech. The first thing out of her mouth, after a dramatic flounce from the door toward her desk, was, "You're a voyeur, looking into other people's lives. What gives you the right?" Looking at my supervisor, she said, doesn't it seem like he is being a voyeur? (or something on those lines). This was to be the tone of the entire thing. She looked at me for I would have to say, less than 5 percent of the total time while talking at or about me 99 percent of the time. I guess this is another of her tactics to keep a person of guard and under her proverbial thumb. It might work for some, but I was getting more and more aggravated each passing moment. More scary, though, maybe for both she and I, I was also getting less and less worried.

She asked, and I am going to paraphrase the rest of this because I did not tape it and therefore do not remember absolute wording but I definitely have the gist, what I was doing. Before I could answer she told me that I had no right to look into the lives of others and ask about their certification and/or licensure. She told me that it was not my business. When she finally stopped enough for me to answer, I told her that I most certainly DO have the right, as does anyone in the State of Ohio. Licensure records are public knowledge as is school funding, which is another thing she keeps under her wig. She told me that all of this was going to, "Stop right here and now! You are going to tell me what it is you want to know and I will tell you." That was just the first lie of the session. She slammed me with the question of who I was looking at, because she knew her elementary was licensed and most of the middles school was licensed. I tried four time to answer what she had asked but she did not stop. I finally told her that I didn't really care about them but had done a little looking. I said what I was interested in was administrative background.

The empress told me again, that I had no right. She again asked, whose information I was seeking. I finally said, "You," pointing directly at her, "Him," pointing at my supervisor, "Them," pointing at the SPED folks, and... I was beginning to talk of the head of school, interim head of school, and the head of elementary, but she wouldn't let me, therein the reason for me saying something about her first lie previously.

She talked over me again saying it didn't matter. She went into the educational level of various people within the organization, which I have seen and was not in question, then went on to tell me that some of the positions, including the one held by the SPED Director, could be handled by a clerk if she wanted it that way (she meant the writing of IEPs, but she is wrong on that as well.). A clerk may be able to transcribe an IEP but one is not qualified to WRITE one. Lie number two.

She then told me she was able to have anyone she wanted in an administrative position regardless of licensure. I said, "When I went down to Columbus in January and spoke with people from the Ohio Department of Education, they said that was not the case. They said that we as 'community' schools (not charter as she kept saying) have to follow all licensure rule the rest of the state must meet. We have some leeway in other places, but licensure is not one of those places." Immediately she began to attack my reason for going to Columbus, but I fended her off until I had completed my statement.

"What right do you think you had in your capacity as a lab teacher to go down to Columbus and ask questions?" Again, I answered that I had every right to ask whatever it was I pleased, as all is public knowledge. The "lab teacher" comment was just on more way for her to assert her "superiority" over me, she thinks. I then said that the "lab teacher" thing was not how it was supposed to have been in the first place, which started a whole new speech. She TOLD me that my contract said just that and had since the beginning of the year. As I have written previously, that is not the case. I informed her of the fact that I did not even have a contract until January, meaning two months ago, and hadn't had one since the end of the 05-06 school year. She said that I did, too have a contract and then asked what it said on it. I told her I didn't really remember, but she kept asking while telling me she knew. At one point on of the SPED folks went next door to get a copy of said document. Too bad it didn't have time to come up because it didn't say ANYTHING about a "lab" AND it had a start date in January. Lie Number Three.

Getting back to Columbus, I said that a "Chartered Non-Public" school (private) could do as she was saying with regard to administration, but not a public school. She said I was wrong, to which I replied that it wasn't me who said it. It was ODE, therefore, I guess it was THEY who were wrong. She said she was sure she was right and I let it go. She then said she would look into it. (I have an alternative admin license, she does not, my supervisor does not, the head of school and interim head of school only have k-6 alternative admin. licenses which precludes them from high school, and the SPED folks have none except the dude from Israel who has School Psychologist but is in ISRAEL!!!! In fact, my pupil services admin license is what should be running that department due to my experience in the filed AND my ODE licensure, but I am not from the enclave, therefore not even considered. Lie number four.

She then looked and my supervisor and said, to his nodding head, "Anyway me and... are working on and alternative administrator license for him right now." That is an untruth as it is not even pending on the ODE SAFE Account website. They may be thinking of it, but nothing is being done. Lie number five. I told her my reasoning was because I did not want to see us close just yet and wanted to make sure we were doing what was needed. She said she thought we should stay open but rumor had it I was trying to bring the school down. Not true. Trying to get them to do the right thing. If shutting them down is a side effect, so be it. I said that it made no sense that I would try to close a school when I had just proposed a program. She replied in a very juvenile manner that "a lot of thing don't make sense." I really didn't know what to make of that one.

She them turned around to her computer, picked up her phone, and that was it. A dismissal of epic proportions. This woman shows sign s of megalomania that I have never seen in practice. I was disgusted but somehow enthralled by seeing such a classic case in action. She not only has no clue how to react with a general human public, she doesn't care. Case in point, a few weeks prior in an all school staff meeting, a young colleague called her on the carpet for being rude and not even acknowledging students nor staff and being, too good for everyone. She said, in her most annoying and condescending manner, " I hear you," and, "uh huh. uh huh." Her words and sounds coming out mid thought of the person doing the talking. She did that to me often when I could get her to look at me. I also told her, when I was told to come to her for further questions, that what was said at the meeting was exactly why I would not come to her. She replied, "I am the manager and I don't need any licensure so that's just tough. You don't have to like me and I can manage how I wish." I said, "I now know how to talk to you." Which is when she turned from us. She is supposed to be a licensed psychologist.

Holy hell, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. There were three others in the room and the guy from Israel. I have NEVER heard him keep his mouth shut for that long so wonder if he really heard all she had to say. Will any of those in the room advise her that she fucked up in a major way, or will they all sit around a congratulate themselves for shooting down another gentile in their midst? I can tell you this, I am even more pissed now than I was before, which is why it took me so long to put this down on the blog. I am ready for the good fight, but I feel we have already won. This school CANNOT continue as is if the ODE has any credibility, and she particularly should be no where around the education process. She looks down on everyone, but our kids the most. Go the fuck away and never bother us again.

Some thing is up.

I can't tell you exactly what is going on, but something is obviously, "up." The entire day on Thursday the 20th was odd. From one of the lab monitors yelling at me in the middle of the hall AGAIN, which hasn't happened since the beginning of the year because I have avoided him like the plague, to the constant calls for two of the proverbial "top dogs," at least in their minds, to come to the office "immediately" of the owner of the company.

I think the ODE has come down hard this time. I think it involves paying back money that has not been used correctly. I think that some people in our organization are scared silly and are ready to bolt. I may have my qualms about the ODE but this time, if it is in fact what I think it is, they are on the right track. I can only hope they wait until the end of the school year to close it, because those that will lose the most will be the kids, and my pocket but that's another story.

How Stupid Can They Be?????

Every time I think I might be able to see some semblance of intelligence within this place they do something so bizarrely out of the realm of reality I can barely believe my senses. I am still constantly dealing with idiotic people who think it is the best thing in the world to micro-manage their perceived subordinates. I am no person's subordinate and most of my employers know that. This person walks into a classroom for the most inane of reasons, usually to pick on the ridiculous dress code, and causes a thorough disruption of my class. I find this to be an educational faux pas AND downright fucking stupid. I have told him to quit but he just finds another reason, such as bringing the coach in to see s student. You do not do that. You knock, wait for the teacher, then QUIETLY ask the teacher what you need to ask. Do not FUCKING disrupt my group anymore. It is a wholly unsound practice that does nothing but feed your need for complete and utter dominating power. To quote Roger Waters, "Hey, (.....,) Leave them kids alone." Next I will tell you what happened today.

About 1:20 this after noon while I was attempting to find a bottle of water for our, "fountain," I saw the Head of School looking a bit befuddled. She was trying to reach someone else and asked if I could try and get him to call her. I could not but was told that there would be a lock down coming shortly. I turned around and took my kids into the room. There were four kids across the hall with no teacher, as there are almost every day, and I told them to come to my room but they did not move. I locked then closed their door and told them to stay put as I had other kids to deal with, too and could not be in two places in one time frame. We were not told anything at all for almost two hours. If you remember correctly, the fact that people stayed quiet was why so many young people got killed at Virginia Tech. Good going, guys.

Worse, rumour has it there was a bomb threat. Fucking bomb threat!!!! Are you serious??? You put us on a lock down when there was a bomb threat????? A bomb threat is supposed to be an EVACUATION you fucking morons. You don't keep people in the building when someone has said there is a bomb within. Who in the hell taught you imbeciles how to think?? Oh, that's right, obviously no one. I hope some got a chance to talk to the media out front because someone really has to know how fucking stupid you guys really are.

Oh, and I forgot something else. It came to me that one of our staff SAW the police escort the young religous kids to the restroom while the lady watching our kids had to make them use a bucket to relieve themselves. Yet another bit of proof that there are two different schools at work and two different sets of rules while all in the same building and using the same facilities.

The Change of Tide

For some unknown reason the tide seem to have changed. The owner came to me, at first accusing me of being Anti-Semetic, then saying she wanted to, "open up a (forum) to allow for our kids to understnat (from whence she and her people come)." I knew this could be VERY good for my kids.

I am still a bit in shock over it. In three years this woman BARELY has said ten words to me, AND when I was spoken of she usually talked over me to others in the room and it was ABOUT me. Maybe she is just of the mind that she is above me, which will NEVER be the case. But, for some reason, I know I just used that phrase, she came to me for this supposed project. Believe me, you will all know what has transpired because it will be right here. Rock on my friends.

It's Been a While

I haven't written in a bit because I am trying to lay low. Well, that just ain't me. After a week, last, of riots, the girls this time, and two of my other favorite kids being railroaded out of here, I tried to keep my mouth shut. Now I want, even more, to rub in their faces the FACT that I proposed a unit in which I would work with no more then TEN kids having such difficulties and I wanted them to have a MUCH shorter day and be away from EVERYBODY. It would have worked you fucking idiots. But instead of thinking about what someone from the relative old guard might know, you retards put someone in charge that doesn't have enough background to know where the fucking toilet is.

This little imbecile only has about three years' classroom experience but thinks she really has the right to tell those of us having five times, and more, that how things should be done. Her biggest problem is that she really believes herself. Fucking insane. She can think what she wants and put IDEAS out there, but to think that I would do things as she says just because she says so is ludicrous. I feel very sorry for her soon to be born child, but maybe not. I guess when one grows up being spoiled and believing no one could ever have a decent thought other than yourself, makes thing easy, until you wake up and find there is a MUCH bigger and meaner world out there. Watch out little woman! You are not the big person you think you are.

One day you will learn that no one has any fear nor respect for you and that should be the opening of your eyes. Then, and only then, you will begin to grow and PERHAPS become one of the people trying to actually help our kids. Now all you are is a HUGE detriment. Go away from them and let them be. Let those of us who know them and really care, work with them and keep your idiotic nose the fuck out of it. You and you stupid ass dress code and going into classrooms to check on such drivel.

Leave the fucking kids alone once they get into a classroom. Don't any of you motherfuckers know anything about the integrity of a classroom environment? You NEVER enter a classroom and disrupt the learning process in anyway UNLESS it is an emergency. The second one of you dumb-fucks enters, you disturb something. One of you does it on purpose. I know you know no better, but do you? I doubt it. Power is a damned ugly thing and you epitomize that statement. Go start a school for automatons. They will do just as you ask and forgo their humanity, oh wait, they wouldn't be human, just like you want. Fuck off!

Next thing in this...

On Wednesday, November 28th, I was given an ultimatum. I have had them before but they had never been worth shit, to, "Get your license before Friday (mind you it was Wednesday and that only gave me two days!!!) or you will no longer be employed with us." Can you imagine being given such a directive with ONLY two days. The State of Ohio could NEVER be expected to give someone a license in such a short time. In fact, six months would be fast. As I have already told you, I have a license, but they say that an administrative license does not allow someone to go and work in a classroom. The fact that I no longer WANT to work in a classroom is immaterial, I guess. One would think that getting an administrative license would be due to the fact that such a person had wanted to work in, Oh, I don't know, maybe, ADMINISTRATION?????

I used to be quite good in a classroom, that is no longer the truth. Anyway, I was told, after a bit of a melt down, figuring you have read some of this already you know that is SOOOOOOOooooo far from the norm, I was told that I should maybe apply for a "sub" license. How asinine does that sound to you? To me it is ludicrous. How can a person be OK to be an administrator and not OK to work in a classroom?? Does that make sense to you?? I would think not. I am writing way too much about this particular time. I must move on, or back as the book will show.

The latest things number 3

I have already shown you the way things look for the, "more important," folk. Now let me show some of what it looks like for the majority of the kids. Show are a typical hallway, notice the glaring differences, and a typical classroom complete with its own open hole in the wall containing God knows what. The "company" be damned. Our kids deserve better than this and so the fuck do we. When the hammer comes down, I cannot believe that those who would do this to us could ever be deemed ,"the chosen people." This should in no way reflect on ANY of the kids, it should, though, make one see the differences that are painfully obvious.













Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this really something that is happening in 2007????????????????????????

Make sure to look at the previous three posts to understand this latest posting. We need to take this country back from the people that care nothing about humanity and care only about the fucking almighty dollar. The dollar will fall eventually, but those who care will always be in great demand.

I have the new blog up and running on

whatswrongwealreadyknowletschangeit.blogspot.com

The lates things number 2.

There are many safety issues that I have been writing about for some time, as well as those that just prove where people think, or don't. Here I have have shown you the safety issues regarding possible asbestos and/or lead paint, etc., which is above people who actually occupy this office on a daily basis. Some of them even pregnant. I cannot imagine this could be construed in any manner as healthy. But, it has been blown off many a time.

The next is a railing on the front portico of the school on which the kids lean EVERY day. The possibility of kids falling and getting hurt is immense, but I, a nobody in their eyes, had to be the one to tell them of the problem. AND, when I did, it was treated as, "just one more thing." Again I saved these idiots from a sure lawsuit, though that was surely not my plan. I fear for the safety of our kids and could care no less than I do about what is good for the "company."