Politics

Some of you that know me know that I like to follow politics as best I can understand. I was listening to the radio today and there were a few reports that really struck me. One was on the economy and the other was on the whether or not President Obama was really helping out black people in America. (Note: this post may be a little more racially and politically charged than usual so if you think it may be too much for you please feel free to stop reading now.)

First, I've heard numerous news outlets talking about how the economy is bouncing back and recoveries are starting to happen, but I think a larger problem is looming. We have banks that were "too big to fail", but now they're even bigger and even less likely to lend to common people. That's one issue, that's honestly outside of my understanding but I thought it was noteworthy. The real issue I want to talk about is the job market. With tens of thousands of people laid off every couple of weeks so it seems, I wonder why people think that all of the "new poor" - people who were middle class, but got laid off and have been out of work for 9-12 months - will be able to find new jobs? What I mean by this is that companies today are only after one thing, profit. So my question is why would they hire on new workers if they are still turning the same or possibly more profit with a reduced staff? It doesn't seem likely that they will try to hire droves of people just because the economy is turning around. Does it seem likely to you? I don't really see it happening and unfortunately good people were laid off, will get laid off and fewer and fewer people will get hired. That would be my prediction and Lord knows I hope I'm wrong, but my logical mind tells me that these companies will keep making money, people will keep losing jobs and the gap between poor and rich will continue to grow and the middle class will continue to shrink and become less and less important in this society. It's not looking good but I hope that things become more idealic like the world that was promised to us in campaigns and commercials, but maybe I'm hopelessly hoping for a world that is far gone, or never existed at all. Until people care for other people, issues like this will more than likely remain an issue and have less of a chance of ever being resolved. I'll finish this post in a second part. Take care.

part 5 - A change

Now for a serious post. I think I'm ready to change my career path or at least my current situation. I love my coworkers, but I'm not feeling admin from central office all the way down. I feel like the basic goal of a teacher has changed. It seems like we have simply become classroom managers instead of educators. The admin seems to be more worried about not angering a parent than trying to make sure students are getting the education they need. They try to stop things or block things trying to keep from upsetting a parent before things even get a chance. This is ludicrous.

I signed on to try to educate America's youth, not to be an under-appreciated babysitter. I'm sick of having to give a kid work that's not trying to do anything all semester, but has "paperwork" that says they need extra time. A whole 5 weeks??? Is that extra enough? That's ridiculous and admin just keeps letting these kids work them and the system. I've seen students pass without having done a lick of work but the teachers can't fail them because admin doesn't want to have to "deal" with the paperwork or the parents so the teachers are urged to let them pass. The amount of paperwork on the teacher to fail the non producing student is immense. I'm done with this foolishness. These kids are allowed to skate through while you have some students that actually do their work and try and they are the ones who really suffer. The knuckleheads are given numerous chances and the good kids are being punished for dress code violations. What sense does that make? I'm lost. I need something else.

I've already started talking to some contacts and my placement for next year is uncertain at this point. I would hate to leave my coworkers, but it seems like the culture at my current location is changing anytime soon. We have too many personal agendas going on and the kids get lost in the shuffle. It's sad. We need to do better as a society if this is what education has come to. I see why people leave the profession....

part 4 - 4 day weekend

We had a four day weekend thanks to the 12 and a half inches of snow we had in 24 hours and boy it was relaxing. I enjoyed the extra days off and it was very refreshing. I'm positive that was the most snow I've ever seen in my life. I was happy to see it, but I was glad to see it go. We need a 4 day work week. I hope someone gets that passed. That would be great. Every Friday or Monday off. I'd take it. Now I'm curious as to which day they're going to take away for our snow day?

part 3 - New phone

I just got a new phone and I'm amazed. This nexus one is phenomenal. I've never had anything like it. For all who know me, I love my g1. It's like my first born, but this new phone is a definite upgrade. I love the multitasking, the screen, battery life is better than my g1, and the headphone jack it FTW. I'm thankful for the chance to be able to get it (thanks tax return!!). Now I'm looking into the future for when I can get a netbook running google's chrome os. This is definitely my nerd post. I'm truly embracing my inner nerd at this point. Friends and family alike come to me like tech support and even my mom told me I was in the wrong profession. Any mobile tech folks that want to pay me I'm willing to work and I'm a fast learner!!!

Part 2 - All star weekend

First off, thanks Gene for being awesome!! Now to the game. I had a good time at the game. As for the venue, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. It was big, but not as big as I thought but that HD screen was gorgeous. The new Cowboys stadium is a wonderful venue for watching football, but it's capacity for basketball left a lot to be desired. The jumbotron controller needs to be fired or maybe go to a basketball game or two to see how it should be done. We were sitting pretty high up, so watching the actual game was hard but I figured since that screen was there it would be ok. Yeah right!! This guy tried to replay everything and you would miss one play because he was showing a slow motion free throw that just happened. Then the game itself was sort of lackluster, but I'm still thankful for the opportunity. One good thing is that I made it into the Guiness book of world records. I was part of the largest crowd ever to attend a basketball game!!! One for the ages.

I have many parts to get through. Stick with me pt 1

Sorry it's been a while folks, but I've been moving and shaking. I'm gonna make this a multi-part post so it doesn't wear anyone out. Enough of the intro I'm gonna get right to it. First and foremost I must say Geaux Saints!!! Superbowl champs. I never thought I'd live to see the day. I wish my grandpa could've been around to see it, but I know he had a better view than most. The Saints played a great game and I'm happy to see them on top of their game. It's been 2 yrs but I can now say WE are the champions!! take that Archie!! Telling both of your boys not to go to the Saints. I guess you call it poetic justice.

I have my shirts, my hat and a second line in my heart. Bless you boys!!

Here they go again

Well I've just been informed (yesterday) that Texas is changing its state test again. No more TAKS talk, now it's all about Staars. Well isn't this something, they haven't found a way to deal with the ever growing drop out rate, the abuse of the special ed system, broken families, lack of support and resources for teachers and campuses, teacher wash out/turn over, but you want to just go ahead and change things up. Smart move Texas.

I'm not from here, so coming in as an outsider and being able to objectively look at this I can say for certain that this system is a mess. The state has yet to go at the root of the educational issues. They are quite content with only trying to treat the symptoms instead of fighting the bug that makes everyone suffer. This top down education system is frustrating for teachers and in the end, it hurts the kids. From what I'm seeing, the kids are the last people being looked out for regardless of what people are told. The legislators love to run on education merely to let it be the first thing they don't have time for. Then they bring it back up at re-election time and then the cycle repeats. It's about time that communities hold the law makers to their promises and start trying to build the education system. Notice I said build and not reform. The current system clearly needs to be replaced. Reform will not get it to where it needs to be. Going forward as a country we need to put education back at the forefront if we plan for our country and our future to continue to grow we need to make sure our people are educated. If education fails so do we.

I would encourage you to take a look at what's going on in today's education system and try to collectively come up with some solutions to get us back on the right track. Talk to a teacher, talk to a student, talk to the school board and then put some of that talk into action. I always say that "1 concerned citizen is a thousand times more effective than 100 concerned and frustrated teachers." so help when and how you can and don't be afraid to voice your concern about the state of our education system. Take it from me, we need your help and our country needs your help. As always, take care and please feel free to leave any comments you may have. Thank you.