Sunday, October 19, 2008

Another upset at my college

I get a call Wednesday about 1:20p.m. from Ms. Dawn in the Spanish Dept. at my college. Ms. Dawn is in charge of the Spanish dept (as far as making sure kids complete the requirements for a degree in Spanish or minor). Ms. Dawn told me that she knows I filled out my paperwork to declare a Spanish minor in March 2008. Here it is October and she is just now getting around to entering it in the computer. ...Surprised she didn't lose the paperwork... She said that she didn't really pay attention to what I said my major was on the declaration form. The problem is I'm a Communications major and that since that is basically not a true department and is a branch of the Liberal Studies Dept. I should have a Spanish major and a minor in something else. I told her that the classes I've taken as a Comm major complement the Spanish (I've taken Anthropology classes on the American Southwest, history of Spanish, etc.) She seemed kind of apprehensive after I said that, then said, well, my problem was I filed the paperwork too late. TOO LATE IS MARCH 2008 AFTER I TOOK MY FIRST UPPER DIVISION SPANISH CLASS. THAT'S TOO LATE.

So basically I'm going to fight that and while it seems like my case trumps her's, we'll see...

I am just thinking how easy it would have been to have finished up last year and taken my degree in Comm, rather than go above and beyond to try to get the Spanish minor. I am upset because of what a Spanish minor means to me. It means that Im bilingual, I can teach Spanish, I can get jobs others can't, and I can travel and try out my Spanish. As of now I'm only 2 classes away. 2!!! ...And to just learn that now. ...And for the paperwork to take so long to be input. ...And to not be told when I originally filed the paperwork is inexcusable.

It goes without saying I am going to put up a fight and rattle some chains. I have meetings with this woman, the Spanish language and Spanish Dept. head. I will have an appointment with the Dean of the Humanities Dept. and the Dean of the college if I don't get results. I just hate how everything at my college is a struggle and this is yet another one... and now my degree is at stake.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

7th graders and administration

I would much prefer to teach/work at the high school level, but I'm embracing the challenges at the middle school level right now. I have subbed for most of the students at my mom's school where I work. The 6th graders have only been in school 2 months and are still being broken in, but most are well behaved. The 8th graders at this point in the year are still ok- not rambunctious and know-it-all's like they will be at the end of the year. The 7th graders however are TERRIBLE.

I have subbed for Mrs. C at my mom's school this year two days in a row. She had what has been dubbed the absolute worst 7th graders. These kids are the absolute lowest- 3 periods of math, 2 periods of English, and then PE. Some have 3 periods of English, 2 periods of math, and PE depending on how low they are and in which subject. Anyways, the kids are terrible. In Mrs. C's class I had about 10 jumping off desks (no joke), 10 yelling, and 10 running around the room. These kids steal and it is so blatantly obvious. The administration turns a blind eye. The teacher is scared to be in her own classroom with these kids.

The 3, 2, 1, schedule as it was dubbed by the principal was his ingenious idea to get all of the students to proficient by the end of the year. It didn't do that last year. Instead it burnt 2 teachers out who had 3 period classes. This year 8 teachers have 3 period classes. The kids are all monsters. In the math classes especially, I don't see anything helping. The students are just so exhausted after the first hour or so of math that they lose focus and the students aren't being taught more math than the regular classes. They are just working at a slower pace.

The 7th graders are all really rotten it turns out. The principal kept it quiet last year that the 6th graders were so bad because he gave them to his best friend, an English teacher, who just turns a blind eye; so word never got out. Now it is turning its head. The teachers are so upset they're asking the principal for a 7th grade assembly to remind students of the rules. The principal says he "doesn't know if we can do that." The teachers have a good idea to put the students in classes that are closer to their level. If they're really that low and badly behaved, put them in a VERY low class, but don't make it a place they want to be. Reintroduce electives like Home Ec that make the kids keep wanting to come back to school and not give up.

Last Thursday I subbed for a new math teacher at my mom's school. The first 2 periods the kids were wonderful (it was a 3 period block, but they have the last block with this teacher at the end of the day). When the kids came back to me in 6th period they all forgot where they sat, they were are loud, yelling, screaming, and refused to take their seats. I got right on the phone to call the office. I called everyone in the office and nobody picked up the phone. Finally I flashed the lights and they said "oh, the teacher wants to teach." I wrote on the whiteboard "anyone out of their seat or talking will automatically be sent out." That's how I handled it- I sent 4 kids to my mom's classroom, 3 to the big mean science teacher, and then one out on a suspension. The class quieted enough for me to take attendance, then since they were so loud I just put the assignment on the overhead because I couldn't talk to explain it to them. Usually kids will come to the desk seeking help, but none of these kids did. Nobody was working. They just don't care. The students were just starting to do problems like 2x-2=10 and so I know many didn't get it. It wasn't worth trying to teach when I had to raise my voice, talk over them, and police to make sure everyone stayed in their seat and didn't kill each other.

I didn't mention this woman's 4th period class had 16 kids with 14 rotten ones. I had to raise my voice and then remind them where they sat on the seating chart, then I said that anyone out of their seat would automatically be sent out. I came up with this policy after they were all running around even after class had started and I took attendance. I sent 3 of the kids who got up out of their seat without permission, and of course they didn't think I was serious, or forgot. At least in this class I was able to isolate the kids enough, then keep things humming along enough to teach the lesson.

The administration all turns a blind eye. The principal turns the other way anytime there is a problem and will not admit there is a problem. The assistant principal is a great guy, but the principal does not get along with him, so he can't dictate or say anything. He told me that he was "glad I survived and thanked me for taking on such a difficult mission" the other day. The dean of discipline is stuck in her office all day disciplining 7th graders and can't ever leave her office.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mark and Kristen on KOST

Mark Wallengren and Kristen Cruz are now the morning DJs on KOST 103.5. I heard Sunday night they were launching the new morning show, so I would give it a listen. I had listened during the summer when she was on and the first thought that came to mind was "her voice is terrible." I listened more and have listened this week. My vote is I don't like the woman. Her voice is not in the least bit flattering. She jumps in constantly to inject her opinion. It is all about her... Fireman Matt... 'nuff said. Then I saw her on KTLA this week and she is just as scary looking as she sounds.

I'm still listening to Valentine in the Morning on KBIG and Brian Casey and the Wakeup Bunch on KOLA 99.9 out here in the IE. Brian, Patty, and Fran are great.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Is it coming true?

I took AP European History in my sophomore year of high school. Fun class. I remember nearing the AP test- probably a week before there was a fire drill. Ms. Ward had just passed out booklets that she had explaining what the EU was when the fire drill happened. She said to take the booklets, to go outside to the football scoreboard, which is where we were supposed to stand. It was one of those long firedrills where the fire chief comes and then rips everyone another for taking so long to evacuate the school and if this were a real fire...

I remember Ms. Ward saying this would be a long fire drill, and that was why we were to bring the booklets along with us. We made ourselves comfy on the grass below the scoreboard and she began talking about the EU, the EU money system, how a country joins, and things of that sort. Then, she said this, which has still stuck with me today...

The U.S. is at the end of being a superpower for reasons like credit problems, rising prices, we're making more foes than friend sin the world, etc. Our economy is going to fall as the EU rises. When the Euro started rising in comparison to the dollar, I remember thinking what Ms. Ward said was true. Ms. Ward said the EU is going to become more and more accepted. She said that the EU is probably going to have to pull the U.S. out of where it is heading. I remember thinking, yeah lady... in 100 years. And now, today, I wonder if this day is sooner than I had thought with all of the credit and housing woes. If this $700 billion bailout doesn't happen I'm pretty sure we'll be in a depression. Will Europe pull us out?

Ms. Ward continued talking and said that this was her theory on how the world would end. She was not particularly religious- she was a non-practicing Episcopalian. She said that the U.S. will surrender to the E.U., China will too because their economy is so dependent on ours, hence everyone would be united together- world peace. Then the stuff that is mentioned in the book of Revelations would happen and that would be the end. I remember Lisa, my good friend, and very Christian friend asked why none of this was in the Bible and how Ms. Ward knew this. Ms. Ward said she didn't, but this was her opinion, but also what she thought based on her study of the E.U.

*** Another random thing from AP Euro since we're on such a happy note and talking about end times... Ms. Ward gave a lesson on the Catholic Church and popes once. She printed off a list of the Pope, their picture, and why they were chosen to power if it was known. I remember Ms. Ward saying what was said in the news after John Paul II died that this next pope (Benedict) was to be a transitional pope, only to be around a few years. Then there would be one final Pope after him... I found that whole idea mindblowing. How did she know all of this?

Well, whether we are end times or not, I wanted to share because I was thinking the other day how everything that Ms. Ward said about a big problem the U.S. is facing now seems to be coming true. Sure, credit, buying things on credit, of course will lead to problems, the housing market, etc. but back in 2003 I was a sophomore in high school and just couldn't imagine that.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

I hate doctors, especially my idiot Kaiser doctor

I have been having a problem since Saturday. It is not a pretty problem. I first noticed the problem Sunday morning, then it got progressively worse. On Tuesday I was fed up and went to Kaiser and saw my idiot doctor. I first protested and asked not to see my doctor when I called Kaiser, but naturally he was the only doctor with an opening.

Ok- so let me give you a little background when I say idiot doctor. I went to the doctor once this summer because I was sick or something and he completely ignored my problem. He instead told me my pulse was really fast and I needed counseling, as well as a vacation. A few days later he had his nurse call to say that I should also get a massage.

Fast forward to Tuesday when I unwillingly go to the doctor for my appointment with this lunatic. My pulse was extremely high yesterday, but he didn't mention anything. No, instead I told him my problem, said it was probably stress related, and told me I needed a massage. Um... a bowel problem and I need a massage? I said I thought the problem wasn't stress related and so after some arguing with him he asked me when I first experienced the problem, then told me I probably don't have e-coli and just "keep on pooping" and eventually things will get better. Some people throw up, but I need to poop was his answer. I realized I was talking to a wall and so once the appointment ended I went to the pharmacy.

At the pharmacy the physician's assistant listened to me and what I said my symptoms were, then recommended that I try some anti-diahrrea medicine, when to take it, and things of that sort. She also said Tylenol should help.

I would complain to membership services, but it would do no good. I did however call to switch doctors because I am tired of this tool that I have and was told that there were no available doctors unless I choose a primary doctor 15-30 miles away. Sure, I'll do that, but when I call for an appointment here in Riverside, I'm sure I'll be told to see this fool.