ok well

I had a crappy day today and I made it through by just keeping busy and doing easy things that I knew had to get done.  I am wondering what I am going to do in a class room on days like this where I do not really want to deal with anyone and do not feel motivated.   I suppose some nice back up lesson plans that involve the least possible effort on my part would be a good idea.  That will be useful.  On the other hand, I do know that working with students kind of puts me outside of myself where I am not worried about me and my dumb issues and am more involved with them.  But still, some kind of relevant back up lesson might be useful for when I am not feeling my %100.

Teacher of the year Mario Ortiz

Mario Ortiz was awarded the teacher of the year award today.  He was given this honor for his work with 8th grade science students at Truman Middle School.  When asked why he deserved to win this honor, Mario replied "GRRR" and explained "My students and I are Giving Respectful Responsible and Receptive.  And we have fun. doing science."  ugh that s all I have.  No autographs please.

stupid idiot

I was at Whataburger eating a burger and some people with a kid sat down behind me.   I think the kid spilled something and the dad called him stupid at least three times and called him a fucking idiot at least once.  Now this kid was not older than 4.  I do not want to be someone that says that I cannot teach kids because they have bad parents.  But, it will be my job to try to motivate this kid to learn 5 or six years down the road after he has been called stupid who knows how many times by his dad and may already be convinced that he is stupid.  That seems like it will be a challenge.  I wondered how that kid might be in my middle school science class.  If he would be tough and demeaning like his father was or if he would take encouragement well even if he had never had any encouragement before.  In a perfect world a teachers encouragements and efforts are appreciated and met with enthusiasm despite all circumstances.  In the real world, each child has a background that may never be known by a teacher.  It seems like it will be a puzzle to figure out different students and what motivates each of them.  I have seen teachers kind of give up on certain students and it is sad to see.  However, I do know that a single student can make a teachers job very difficult.