Using the new laptop, I made a quick video scan of my Ed Psych class at Notre Dame. Sister B. can be seen at one point trying to plug in the overhead projector.
Schoolwork piles up at an alarming rate. Just gotta maintain.
Today I stepped between two fighting seventh graders in the hall and they kept going. One young man clocked a smaller boy a powerful shot to the eye by punching under my raised right arm, and there was immediate blood and swelling. I was furious, but I've been forbidden by Baltimore City to restrain students until I get "crisis intervention training." We're supposed to step between if possible, and if not, to allow the little darlings to dismantle each other until the police arrive.
Today Lukie told our first period class that they were officially the worst class she has ever taught. "I taught in a prison in Pittsburgh, and at another in Philadelphia. I taught murderers and rapists who behaved better than you."
But I'm feeling better at least. I can breathe ok and can climb stairs. Slowly.
5 comments:
Why are they at school?
For the chicks.
There is a ton of value in what you're doing, both in the school and in chronicling it here. I'm alternately horrified and inspired.
Have you given any thought to taking these posts to the next level? I think you could make a real difference if you decided to expand your insights and experiences into book form. This is a story that needs to be told, and you've been doing a hell of a job telling it so far.
Get in touch if you're interested in that. I'd love to work with you on it.
Thanks for the kind words. I fear I trash the kids too much--most of them are actually wonderful, and they act out for valid reasons. Convincing them that school will help them down the line even though it's poorly equipped and boring is understandably difficult.
I'll get to the adults who ruin these schools soon enough. I don't see that side of things in much detail yet.
As for a book? Wow. I barely have time for blogging now. Perhaps during that long summer break.
I completely agree that you should your blogs into a book. They are great. And don't just say you'll do this and then never get around to it, this story needs to be told.
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