I went to work this morning with fire in my veins to get everything completely caught up...that is of course until I was called to my department principal's office. What had I done wrong? Nothing - evidently, I am doing such a great job that I get to pilot a new reading program next semester. Wonderful, right? Not so much. Since it is to start on January 4th when students return, I am being pulled out on Thursday and Friday to complete the training.
So, the day before finals start I will not be with my kiddos. I won't be there on the day of the first final with my freshmen who have never taken finals. Since the end of October, I have only had two weeks of full teaching. My students are bummed as am I. While I understand the administrations desire to increase reading scores, it really doesn't help my students' faith in me when I miss so much. Here's to illness and professional development. My New Year's resolution is to not miss more than one or two days second semester.
Another frustration is that this program is computer-based and being used with my double block English I students. While I have an extra block with them, it is not simply to do homework. We cram all of the English I curriculum into second semester. With this new program, I am losing class time. I hope that the powers that be do not mind if we skim over The Odyssey and Romeo and Juliet. I still plan to teach them, but they will be much shorter versions. I really do hope to see some progress with my students' reading scores. These kids could use some positive encouragement!
Bolero in Paris
14 years ago