Bush & Education

So how can the nation's children be expected to learn and get an education when the funding for the programs that benefit them the most (i.e., HeadStart, Sallie Mae, etc.) are being cut from the national budget. I am for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in theory, but in practice I would have to score it a big ZERO! What follows is a video of our president answering a question from a Kansas State University student about the fact that funding to programs is being cut. I love the fact that the president has to pretend he doesn't hear the question, then must defer to his aide hiding in the wings. The Link I really like a lot of things about my school. I only have two complaints. One , being that I am a floater, and two, the sad state of our In Building Suspension (IBS) room. I have to be in IBS everyday for an hour, and have had to do it for the last 2 years. I am tired of seeing the same students everyday. We like to call them "frequent flyers". There must be some alternative way to get these kids out of this cycle, and hopefuly back in the classroom. Today, I suggested to my assistant principal that if the student has been placed in IBS more than 3 times in a term, he or she must be sent to the Alternative Education Center. As it is now, the kids LOVE going to IBS. All of their friends are there, sothey don't have to go to class to see them. It's a pretty piss-poor system. I am glad that my AP took my suggestions, though.

I'm Now a Member of the Masses

Against my better judgement, I have begun watching American Idol. Really I only watch it when Paris Bennett is singing. She's a really hard catch since the show is 2 hours long, and there are only 12 singers. I hate all of the crap they fill the rest of the time with....just let'em sing! In any case, this is Paris' audition video. Don't worry...I'm not wasting money on texts. I just watch.

Just Touch One

Can I teach less than 30 at a time?

Life in the Big City

March 10th, I'll be heading back to New York City for the 3rd time since March 2005. I really can't get enough of the place. With that being said, I've decided to pull up stake and attend NYU this summer. Since my Europe trip fell apart, I have been frantically looking for something to do. I'll be taking a Sociology in Education class, that hopefully with count towards my M.Ed that I plan to begin in 2007. Now, if I could only get someone to pay. By the way, interested parties, I will be accepting donations. Please direct your correspondence to Plano, Texas 75093

Geography 101

I'm not really sure why it's so hard for kids these days to memorize more than the lyrics to "Laffy Taffy". Today we were learning the French versions of the countries and continents of the world. Ok, ok, so it's ok if you can't exactly place Luxembourg on a map...I can forgive you...The following is a short transcript between Mr. French and A (a sophomore): A: Where is Morocco? MR. FRENCH: Oh, just turn to the page with Africa on it, and I will show you. (A looking confused and bemused while flipping through the 5 pages containing the continents; she looks up to me for help.) A: Is it this one? (pointing to South America.) MR. FRENCH: Nope, honest mistake. Try again. At this point, "A" gets frustrated as she flips back and forth through the pages. Mind you, her choices are Africa, Europe, Australia, South America, and North America. Being the patient teacher I have become, I kindly pointed Africa to her, she smiled, and thanked me for more or less rescuing her. I am afraid...

Welcome

Welcome to my little spot on the internet. I guess I need to somehow further the cause of something, and contribute to make the world a better place, with rabbits and deer and flowers, and stuff. I don't really know if I feel like being that positive, so mostly I will just rant and rave about the daily life of a high school French teacher.