Next Year

More about next year. Right before our Monaco trip, I was called into the principal’s office and told that they needed an experienced math teacher to fix our AYP problems. However, we don’t need an experienced computer science teacher to fix those problems.

Although I haven’t taught math in 5 years, I’m still an experienced teacher and am certified in math. I hope they are right.

Yes, I’m being affected by No Child Left Behind, which I believe in. AYP means that we have a group of students that can’t pass the standardized tests (TAKS).

Thus, next year, I’m going to be teaching a group of 9th graders who have not been successful at math. At first I was told I’d be teaching kids that were supposed to be 10th graders who hadn’t passed the test, which I liked better as I have taught that group before.

Now they are putting me where we can get to the root of the problem. Well, I need to be put in elementary school to really get there, but since I’m high school certified and these kids need to be dealt with now, I’m stuck with this group. I’m told they will be enrolled in both Algebra I and my class.

I’m also told I’ll have my own classroom. Floating bothers me because there is no place to lock up your belongings, and I do need to keep medical and glucose supplies near me.

It promises to be an interesting year. The sad part, is if I am successful, I’m probably stuck doing it. And if I am not, I’ll probably be hung out to dry. Provided I even survive it. You see, I already know these kids, and the first problem is that they don’t know how to sit in a seat and be quiet for a full class period.