Posted by Netcee on May 20, 2006 at 13:25:02 (PST):
In Reply to: Student MPs? posted by Carl on May 20, 2006 at 11:47:19 (PST):
: Sounds like the kids need internal policing, not external. If they had a student body court, judge, jury when needed, etc. and fines went into a fund for student programs, who could complain? Parents? Teachers? Principals?
: Just like in many companies where quality is lacking, the students (workers) don't have ownership, therefore they don't care.
: I believe in empowering the "good eggs".
Teaching is a calling. If you're in it for any other reason, you need to leave.
We are not in a union where I teach. Lunch duty (and I just had it last week along with additional morning duty in the commons area) is to maintain the lunch line and to make sure the kids get their food in a timely manner and get to class on time.
Ketchup is not restricted in my school, however, the salad bar was closed down last year after a condom (not used, mind you) was found in the lettuce.
To combat such things, the lines and serving process were re-done and we've had no problems since.
I hate morning and lunch duty, but it's requested of me and if it means keeping the kids safe, well, I don't mind doing it.
Things are way different now folks. Technology is one of the big problems. It's our worst nightmare sometimes when it comes to education. Why write a paper when you can pay 9.99 for one? Why read a book when you can find summaries on the internet? Why bother studying when you can cheat via text messaging? Why study when video games are more exciting?
I vote to can all technology (except for word processing and e-mail) and make our kids go outside and PLAY!
As for my teaching week, I've had to deal with students bouncing off the walls, failing to turn in work neccessary for them to pass the class(even though I've given them multiple opportunities to do so), a suicide attempt, defending a student being picked on because he decided to have extensions weaved into his hair, and a fight in my classroom between a boy and a girl.
Do I plan to go back to work on Monday and try again? You bet.