Back to School

Well, the first two weeks of school were very interesting. My boss told me and my coteacher that we had to be tough, our program had to dispel the reputation that we were a blow off. And so, DDV and I set out to make it just that. The first week, at least 10 kids wanted to drop the class and the others were scared shitless. And that is when we started to hear the passive aggressive shit storm. 'You are being too tough, you need to have the kids warm up to you, you are keeping them too busy'--which was as far from the truth as one could get. So, we were forced to chill out and make it easier for the students the first week. But DDV and I refuse to let up for the rest of the year. These kids need to be doing all the things that we ask them to, otherwise they will not get into college. As for my sophomores, they are a little rougher around the edges when it comes to discipline. A lot of my students were 'placed' in my class by well-meaning counselors but the reality is that you have to be accepted into my program and agree to the rigorous schedule that it requires and some of the students in there will not make it. Also, the teacher they had last year gave up on them during the first month of school. It was not her fault, she just didn't want to be an elective teacher. She wanted to have a set curriculum were she knew exactly what she was doing on such in such day from year to year. The elective class I teach is much more fluid since our goal is to get the kids into a good college and the ways to do that change over the years. My azizam and I have talked less than we normally do since he is working two jobs and going to school and I am through with my summer hiatus and back in class as well. It sucks, but will be fine. The marathon training is going great. I am still working out in the mornings. Other than that, nothing could be better. Great job, going to buy a house this summer, great friends, etc. Wishing you the best year ever.....Mel