How do you know if a teacher is doing their job?

My son was doing his homework and he had to write sentences for his vocabulary words, as he does everyday for homework.One of the words was Teacher. He wrote down, "My teacher never checks my homework."Needless to say, she did not check this sheet of work or I am certain that I would have gotten a call or a visit from her as some parents do for other things. My son wrote this for the very reason that his teacher does not check homework, plus he feels there is no point in doing his homework since she does not check it and there are no consequences for not doing it. Unlike me from when I was a young student, my son has not missed a day of school in his life for illness, laziness on the parents’ part, or just to have a mental day off. He has always been considered a “Star Student” a “Leader” with everything he does; Cub Scouts, Soccer in the spring, fall, and soon travel and visiting his father every Tuesday and every other weekend, along with wanting to start his own band. I work with this teacher in question at times when helping her students out. I tell him to keep doing his best and everything will be okay. A great student begins with the parents and the school working together in molding the child for success. I am now trying to find a way to talk to his teacher regarding this paper without telling her how to do her job and putting myself or my son out to be targets of me losing one of my jobs and Aaron being a good student turned to “Pick on me now” target. I have months of sheets of homework that has yet to be checked. What is a parent to do? I have talked to a few parents from my sons’ class and it turns out that they too are questioning her acts. With no leading in any part, for I am not trying to put myself out there to be a target, though I am now, I recall that homework does not go pass spelling and reading, there is no math nor history or science that comes home as I do see with the other classes in my sons’ grade. Again, I ask, what is a parent to do?

Dancing Through The School Supply Isle!

Summer is coming to an end. Sad that I did not do more this past summer, but hey, I have many more when I am done school myself! Until then, OCNJ will be our family friend for vacations. Plus, I had a few too many High School Musical dates! Tuesday, is a great day. The bus will be arriving at the corner near my house to collect my son for his first day of 3rd grade! It seems that only yesterday, when my son was born and I was holding him wondering how you could love someone so much that you just met. With this feeling in my heart and head, I also love him more while he grows and becomes a smart boy to man. Tuesday creeping up, I will give my son a gift of sharpen pencils as a bouquet for my token of love for him and the great day of “First Day of School”. Heck, I will give myself a bouquet of sharpen pencils, for I will need them to, with my homework and help him with his. About to head to bed, with that in mind that I will be up at 6am making PB&J sandwiches and the sanctuary of caffeine will be waiting for me, I will swing my arms in the air like I just don’t care! PARTY likes its 1999!

Mean Mommy! Parenting at a C+?

I dropped my daughter off at school on Monday, to have a fellow student's mother push her way between my children, to make her way to the door that lead upstairs to our children's classroom for daycare. This mother is not the nicest lady to walk the face of the earth. Always giving the staff and other parents problems, such as 'Your child is not nice to mine'. Or, having fights with her soon to be ex in the school parking lot. I look at my sons face, confused with what just happened and shocked to see his sister who's hand he was holding, was no longer holding her hand. In my bear protecting her cub ways, I got down to my children's level and said, "you see children her mommy and daddy did not teach her any manners." She stops in her tracks, turns around and looked at me. With a pause, she snarled, "You have a problem? You're being rude?" While yanking her son in every move she made. Keeping cool, I look back at her without losing eye contact, "I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant. You pushed my children out of your way. Did you not see them? What do you have to say to that?" "I don't have time to wait for your kids to move their asses out of my way!" "Yeah, because we are here to make your life hard! Say sorry to my children so you can show your son how not to act with others around." Moving closer and closer to each other, not a word said for a few seconds. I come out and say, "I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce. Just say sorry to my children for pushing them out of the way and show your son how to respect others. Okay?" Huffing and puffing, "Sorry." Aarons reply, "That's okay, I'm pretending there is duck tape over your mouth." I nudged him, in his shoulder so he would say sorry for his comment, "Sorry, have good day!" with a big smile. Secretly content that my brother's sarcasm has been learned! We waited for her to come back down after dropping her son off upstairs and then we made our way up stairs to deliver Shelby to her class. On my way out, one of Shelby's teachers said "Thank you for giving your two-cents to the fellow mother." Outcome, have yet to have another encounter with the monster!

Report: Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Low

http://www.comcast.net/news/health/index.jsp?cat=HEALTHWELLNESS&fn=/2007/07/13/713456.html&cvqh=itn_birthrate Report: Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Low WASHINGTON - Fewer high school students are having sex these days, and more are using condoms. The teen birth rate has hit a record low. More young people are finishing high school, too, and more little kids are being read to, according to the latest government snapshot on the well-being of the nation's children. It's good news on a number of key wellness indicators, experts said of the report being released Friday. "The implications for the population are quite positive in terms of their health and their well-being," said Edward Sondik, director of the National Center for Health Statistics. "The lower figure on teens having sex means the risk of sexually transmitted diseases is lower." In 2005, 47 percent of high school students _ 6.7 million _ reported having had sexual intercourse, down from 54 percent in 1991. The rate of those who reported having had sex has remained the same since 2003. Of those who had sex during a three-month period in 2005, 63 percent _ about 9 million _ used condoms. That's up from 46 percent in 1991. The teen birth rate, the report said, was 21 per 1,000 young women ages 15-17 in 2005 _ an all-time low. It was down from 39 births per 1,000 teens in 1991. "This is very good news," said Sondik. "Young teen mothers and their babies are at a greater risk of both immediate and long-term difficulties." The birth rate in the 15-19 age group was 40 per 1,000 in 2005, also down sharply from the previous decade. Education campaigns that started years ago are having a significant effect, said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a Washington-based nonprofit group that focuses on prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. "I think the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the efforts in the '80s and '90s had a lot to do with that," Wagoner said of the improved numbers on teen sex, condoms and adolescent births. "We need to encourage young teens to delay sexual initiation and we need to make sure they get all the information they need about condoms and birth control," he said. The report was compiled from statistics and studies at 22 federal agencies, and covered 38 key indicators, including infant mortality, academic achievement rates and the number of children living in poverty. Other highlights: _The percentage of children covered by health insurance decreased slightly. In 2005, 89 percent of children had health insurance coverage at some point during the year, down from 90 percent the previous year. _The percentage of low birthweight infants (born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) increased. It was 8.2 percent in 2005, up from 8.1 percent in 2004. _More youngsters are getting reading time. Sixty percent of children ages 3-5 (and not in kindergarten) were read to daily by a family member in 2005, up from 53 percent in 1993. _The percentage of children who had at least one parent working year round and full-time increased to 78.3 percent in 2005, up from 77.6 percent the previous year. _More young people are completing high school. In 2005, 88 percent of young adults had finished high school _ up from 84 percent in 1980. The report was released by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics _ a consortium of federal agencies that includes the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Census Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families. ___ On the Net: Report available after midnight: http://childstats.gov/

A Weekend without the Saturday

With the 4th of July falling out on a Wednesday, it felt like a weekend without the Saturday. Tuesday, felt like Friday, happy hour/BBQ, kids playing, and the weather was amazing! Wednesday, the 4th of July, felt like a Sunday, sober enough for Monday with clouds in sky, ready to cry. All in all, Independents Day was satisfying. We start our 4th off with my son saying he rather watch the parade and not be in it this year, riding his bike. I look at his bike, an hour helping him decorating it; I agreed with him that as it is fun to be in it, it’s just as fun to watch it. After my son made his choice, I was given a few extra hours of coffee time and reading. :) A few morning hours later, we were off to the parade in my home town, also in hope that my son will not try to look up the Scottish Bag-Pip Bands kilts in hope of seeing them wear/not wearing underwear. Sitting at the end of the parade route, my brother, his son, my husband, and my son made it a plan that when the parade was over they would leap over to the ball field for the complementary hot dog and juice, look at the classic cars, and sit in the Army helicopter while my favorite sister in-law, my self, and our daughters talked with old neighbors, enjoyed the weather, and the thought of not having to keep our eyes on the ‘BOYS’. After eating the mystery meat and 2% Juice donated by the once family owned, local supermarket, I asked my husband if he wanted to take the kids to the Fire House, that is located on the way out of my home town, surprised by his response, he said no. In all the time I have been with my man of choice, he has never said no to a beer, until he heard that it was Miller. :( Nap time came and went so fast and off we went to our last BBQ, well it was a continuation of the day before. Buns stale, dog barking, kids crying, we made our way home in the rain. Fire works were out of the question. Kids went to bed and I called it an early night, as if it was a Sunday, with Monday (Thursday) lurking around the corner.

Special Education

Currently I am going to school. Well, I went back to school. Starting fresh! I already have my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. What did I do with it? I became a Privet Investigator for Fraud and Cheating Hearts. Left the field because I was given a chance to carry a fire arm, but made the choice to not carry on with that dream. So long Silk Stalkings. What could I have done with it? By this point in my life, I could have been an officer of the law and made my way up the ladder to Detective or something of that nature. Twenty Seven, and still don’t know what I fully want to do when I grow up. So in the mean time, going back to school to become a Special Education Teacher is the choice to be.

On the side I work with Teen Mothers/Fathers, showing them how to care for their child, set them up with child care and further education for them. I love it! Given that I work with them, I realized by traveling the long road of life, that I want to do more. I want to teach. That is the way to give more. I want to help children who have learning disabilities or a chance to show them that they are smart, and the answer is the key on how to find a way around the blocked area in your mind to get the answers and education that all children are hungry for.

How I came to my decision. Math: was a strong weakness of mine all through school. I was always comparing myself to a fellow classmate where math and schooling came easy. It wasn’t until I realized that I was only slow at it. Once I realized this set back of mine, I became OKAY with math and was helping other students who did not understand it. Science: was nap time and came unsuitable for me, so that will be an area I don’t think I will touch. (I still have trouble handling raw chicken because of seventh grade Bio.) Hats off to those who understand it and love it! History: I loved History! Billy Joel is my all time favorite. I had this teacher in high school that used him in the beginning of the school year to say that we will learn everything that is mentioned in his “We Didn’t Start The Fire” song. So, from that point on I was hooked to History. English: I have always loved English. My spelling is still bad, but I continue to work on it. When it came to reading a great classic and breaking it down, I found that I understood it all. I felt like I was intelligent. I remember the time I realized that I loved writing. It was middle school. I had this teacher, telling me to keep it up, that I had things to be said and to be heard. My thoughts tend to be all over the place, but once I had a few key people that I looked to in guiding me and showing me how to get my thoughts in order, I was convinced that maybe one day I could have a CLASSIC that will be read in all high schools. All these areas of school (when I would go, not proud to say that) can be helped by the Special Education that most schools provide. I know that in this line of education, it can be draining, but it really is worth all the hard work.

So to end this for now, Thanks Doc and Thank you Mrs. T. for being great examples for Special Educational Teachers.

This was a blog entry to a paper that I have to write for class. I will post it when done.

So, my husband and I took the kids to the park to play. The kids were having a great time. We met up with Mike's sister and her little one. One would say, " what a great day here at the park. No kids crying, getting hurt..." Well, the kids were fine! I was chasing my son around the park. We went up and down the bridges and ramps and slides. And then, my son made his way down the fire pole. I thought, ok I can do this. My fat ass can handle going down the pole. Pulse, pole dancing is fun and is considered exercise...Right? Well about a quarter ways down the pole, my fingers were burning. At this point, with my fingers burning, I thought to myself, better make it all the way down, b/c if I let go here, I could hurt my knee or some other part of my body. By the time I got down the pole, my finger prints had been rubbed off and left at the top.Pain rushing through, tears have not yet formed. I told my son that my fingers were burning and all he did was, laugh, "HAHA." sounding like Nelson from the Simpsons. Thinking to myself, what a little snot he was. I told my husband and sister-in-law and all they could do is laugh at me. Now, my fingers didn't hurt badly, just my pride! I went to the park bathroom, to run my hands under water. Boy, it felt great, for a short time. The pain rushed back when I took my hands out from under the water. I told Mike and his sister that I had to go and get ice or something. And then, my, ooooh soooo “sweet” sister in-law chuckles, "Only you!" and Mike adding in, "Only you, on a playground, full of kids and adults. You get hurt! It's a padded playground! How on earth could you pull this off?!" Let it be a padded playground, a short bus and I am wearing a helmet, I will find a way to have a Homer moment. Moral of the story, never pole play or dance at a playground. Leave it to the Pros at Double Vision! Personal Goal: Find a new husband and sister-in-law to show some love when hurt and send my son off to Boarding School..

"Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." --William James

~~ "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." --William James Humor is a state of mind. If you have the humor gene, you will find something to laugh at. Whether it is your late arrival at the office, or your boss' temperamental behavior, or your teacher's drab lecture... It is important to look at the funny side of things if you want to enjoy life each day. Although, I find it is amazing how some people know when and how to be funny. Their mannerisms, their words, and their acts make them funny whenever they choose to be. Perhaps it is their sparkling wit, their casual demeanor, or perhaps their caustic remarks that make them famous and funny. One form of humor I enjoy is the Bumper sticker. Do bumper stickers enhance the aesthetic appeal of your car? I do not know about that, but I do believe that they make a statement. "Caution: I drive like you do!""I brake for scholars, priests, and no apparent reason.""You've obviously mistaken me for someone who cares.""My other car bumper sticker is funny.""I'm in no hurry; I'm on my way to work.""I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.""I just got a new car for my wife today. Best trade I ever made.""Back off! I'm not that kind of car.""I may be slow but I'm ahead of you!""I'm not deaf... With the Bumper Sticker, here are few of my favorite sayings. If it be from a movie, a book, or the radio, these are sayings I pass on. The beginnings are scary, the ends are sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. You will travel through the valley of rejection. You will reside in the land of morning mists. And you will find your home, although it will not be where you left it. If you have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow, then you are pissing on today. Take your weakness and make it your strength. Be careful of whose’ back you walk on today. That will be the *butt* you kiss tomorrow. “Dear God, please forgive me for the fornications that have been committed her today on the kitchen table…washer…car…swing set...pool.” Where the Heart Is. “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards” Unknown "Go to your bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know." -- William Shakespeare "The difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it." -- Quote found on the wall of a recreation center office in Berkeley, California. "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. " -- Helen Keller "I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception.” --Groucho Marx "Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year." – Victor Borge ***My all time favorite*** “You know, some animals eat their young.” (This works best when food shopping and the lady next you has a child who is out of control because of their own doings or the lack there of.)

First Real Week of Summer

In the middle of the first real week of summer, Wednesday, I dropped my son off at the TWP Camp and my daughter off at daycare, just so I could go off to class and to work a few hours from home. When I really wanted to be with my kids, taking them to the park, swimming with them, or even watching a bad Wiggles show. To my surprise, on my journey to class, I run into one of my prior, FIRST YEAR, students. The feeling overwhelmed me with warmth and satisfaction, just for seeing her on a college ground. I smiled at her. She smiled back. I wanted to talk to her and to see how she is doing, but with time crunching as it was, for the rush of getting to class, I was unable to talk with her. We shared a friendly glance and headed to where we needed to be. A half hour into my class, for some reason, some how, we were talking about Paris Hilton and her impact on the kids today. And when my professor called on me, to give my input on her, all I could say is, “I am scared.” After that, my classmates and I were on our way to our next location, where-ever it maybe. I then had the feelings of warmth and satisfaction come over me again, I saw the my “FIRST YEAR STUDENT”. I said hello. She said hello back. I asked her how she was doing; she said she is doing well and that her baby is cutting his first tooth. She continued on saying, that I am one of the reasons she is going to school. She wants to change herself for what others “know” her as. Or for what she once was. I told her not to change too much, because she is one of my reasons I love doing what I do and that this is who she is. She is a light that shines. That got me to think about what/who were the reasons as to why I am doing what I am doing, going back to school (after I have my CJ degree, completing it in four years after I had my child in high school with knowing what my teachers at the time thought of me or so what I thought they thought of me) My son is one reason, a few teachers from my own place of high school, (to this day, I still can’t find myself to visit) my dreams of my mom, and my brothers hopes/wants for me and the satisfaction of knowing that I had an impact on one person. A Thought: Am I doing this school thing for me, for my family, or for the dreams of what may come? I know that being a teacher will let me to be home with my kids and to guide others to their dreams. And at the same time, college debt is back. S.O.O.L. Or am I doing this to be selfish for my wants, in hope or continuing to change others and their ways? I gathered my children from their day location and receive a kiss and a hug and listened to how their day was. An Answer: I am happy, so that means I am diving a perfect meet in hopes of not hitting my head on the diving board on my way of leaping into the air and into the water.