View of teachers, a parent’s perspective

Honestly, the first thing I notice are the aesthetics.  Did the teacher comb their hair? Are the clothes clean? How’s he/she smelling: too much perfume, too little bathing? Can’t help it, it’s a big part of the first impression.

My son is considered twice gifted. The schools have found he is both gifted and has a learning difference. Because my son learns differently, it requires me and his teachers to talk or meet frequently.  Otherwise, I probably would never get a glimpse of the teachers. When my older daughter needed me at her school, I only met with the counselor (Mrs. Lepper – yes, that’s her name and my daughter referred to her as the disease)… no teachers showed up.

So, I’ve seen a lot of teachers thanks to my son.

I’ve walked into a meeting and have sat on the other side of the table from them and have wondered about their personal budgeting, or if they have been in the ‘system’ so long they don’t feel its important to look nice anymore. They have devolved into Cro-Magnon men. This past year, during a meeting with Adam’s 7th grade counselor I was so distracted by his affect because I had to figure out who he reminded me of… and then it dawned on me: Rasputin.

Listen, I know how much these folks get paid. It’s not a lot. But it’s enough to afford a hair cut, and some fairly decent clothes. I know for a fact San Francisco has some of the finest Resale Shops in the country. Come on educators, this is a profession! Look professional!

I don’t fault the jean-wearing younger set as long as their jeans are nice and clean. Even the teacher in the movie Half Nelson, strung out on crack as he was, looked better than some of my son’s teachers. Part of the problem is that kids will automatically challenge authority – it’s their job. But they won’t even waste their time with teachers that look scary.

Beyond the surface, some of these characters are okay; but a good number of them are not okay. While I was sitting in my son’s class for a first hand observation of the environment, his Social Studies/Language Arts teacher called one of the other kids a dummy; In front of me. We talked later. He made excuses… and I kindly broached the subject with school Administration and they did the “yeah, that so-and-so… he’s such a card” and moved on.  Wow.

Remember your youth? Remember your teachers from high school? Remember the coffee breath, or the smoker’s breath, or when Mrs. Szymanski would flop her boobs on her desk at the beginning of class? Don’t be *that* teacher. Couldn’t we have an ad campaign to end the total destruction of the teaching profession?  We could have photos of teachers doing the things we all hated as students – like when they bend over to help your classmate only to stick their smelly ass in your face; or how about when they rip up your work in your face to prove their stupid point that you could care less about; or the not-so-classic and demeaning finger waving; let’s not forget the teacher that would wear the same outfit for weeks.

These teachers are still around and we need a brisk intervention. I’m too tempted to believe the exaggerations my kids come home about how stupid their teachers are when they present themselves in an unprofessional manner.

I’m a teacher. I work with teachers. Where I work, we don’t experience this phenomena. It’s not until I cross the thresholds of the ‘traditional’ school that I’m so ashamed of my fellow educators. So, if you’re an educator and you don’t have mints/gum/toothbrush in your desk drawer for your coffee breath, or you look unkempt, please take a moment to make the simple adjustments to your life and stop degrading yourself and your craft.  And if you need some ideas on where to go for a haircut that will fit in your budget, etc. send me a message and I’ll tell you where all the good designer resale shops are in the city. I really want to support you in your metamorphosis.

Advice for prospective Oakland Teaching Fellows

For those that are considering OTF… I recommend that you view it as a type of bootcamp.  It’s not for the faint of heart.

I am an optimistic and passionate educator.  My previous teaching experience had been strenuous, but rewarding.  There\’s a certain type of edge or spark in dedicated teachers.  We like to push the envelope and open doors.

OTF appeals to that spark.  That\’s the draw.  I was excited to see the passionate pleas for candidates and the catchy ads on their site.  It meant I would be with \”my people\” for a whole summer preparing to make a change.

The reality is that you\’re in boot camp.  There is a level of conformity.  They found what works and want you to incorporate that model.  It makes sense.

The other reality is that the classroom can be very challenging.  I remember the interview portion… and all the scenarios.  I don’t think OTF hides any of that from us.  They actually do a good job at balancing that information.  It still is a shock when you’re on the front lines…

So, go for it. But walk circumspectly.  It\’s an institution. You need to know how it all works and play the game safely.  Once you\’ve made it, you should find a way to meet other teachers that are like-minded.

Reflections

I clearly remember the admonishments and emphatic warnings I got from some of my family and friends in San Diego before I came up to work in Oakland. They said I would get eaten up alive by the urban students and culture. I would end up wishing I hadn’t taken this chance. I told them I could handle it… I reminded them that I remember life in Basset and the gang violence, and the rough exteriors we had to wear to make it through. Yeah, I had it better than my older brothers. I didn’t live in East LA, I didn’t have to know the same fear of living in a rough neighborhood for my entire childhood. My brothers made it through college, became professionals, and moved my mom and me out of harm’s way to a better neighborhood when I was in third grade.

Stubborn me… I didn’t heed any of their warnings; and I’m so glad.

My first houseguest

Kai flew in on Friday night. I was a bit rushed and squeezed for time by the end of the day. It was cool to have him come in on BART and pick him up from the station 10 minutes from my place. That could’ve never happened in San Diego. I was so car-dependent there. Here, I am free; I have time and options.

Paul and I drove over to get Kai. He was glad to see the little Passat zip around and hopped right in. We drove over to the lower Haight to Toronado’s. Kai stopped by Rosamonde’s for a sausage while Paul looked for parking and I checked out the bar. It was bustling. No tables were open. It took a while for Paul to find a spot and for Kai’s order. All tasks were completed at once and we strolled in to the packed bar for our beers. There were so many to choose from. How fitting: sausage and beer for my German houseguest.

We had a great time chatting about the various differences between San Diego and San Franicsco.  Kai loved the open minds of San Franciscans, the eclectic vibe of the city, and the amazing politics… he checked out my City Voter Guide and immediately noted the 22 measures up on Nov. 4th! San Diego, eh – they had the Yes on 8 rally at Qualcomm.  Yeah, I am much happier here.

I was once afraid of being open.  I think it was my latina submissive inner-child.  This visit from Kai helped me to do a bit of a self-assessment… How am I doing here in The City?  Damn good.  Kai’s visit confirmed that.  I love my new city – we spent two days on Muni/Bart hitting a bunch of cool spots.  My car was used only the first night when I picked him up.  The vibe here is so good.  People are generally open to discuss any and everything – and it’s not small talk.  It’s not all ‘serious’ either; but definitely meaningful.

My kids have adjusted well too.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they’d prefer that we hadn’t moved – only because it was a BIG change… but they don’t hate it here.  In fact, they are enjoying the freedom and the beauty of The City.  They have acclimated to the culture and diversity faster than the cooler weather.

So, it went well.  I am glad Kai came over.  I look forward to having more of my friends and family in my little home too.

The Sunset

This is where real San Franciscans live…  where there is a sense of community and responsibility.  My place is a few blocks from the elementary school my daughter attends.  They start a bit late, and there was a concern about getting her there safely.  Her second day there she was kindly escorted to and fro by the principal.  Not long thereafter, a mom of her classmate offered to have Sam over in the mornings so I wouldn’t feel rushed to make it to work on time.  People don’t just talk about lofty ideals here.  San Franciscans consciously put actions behind their beliefs.  How refreshing.

There are tons of other cool perks of living in the Sunset.  I won’t tell you though.  I don’t want a mass influx of people moving over and increasing the rent just yet.

how are you?

elated. exhausted. empathetic. effervescent

My life, now.  I do love it, even though it still has rough edges that occassional cut.  I am thankful to have the opportunity to work with students.  That is the easy part.  Getting here has been the challenge.  Tuesday I had lunch with a fellow Fellow.  He enjoys his placement.  We both had the same feeling about the process.  I’m certainly thankful for OTF; but I don’t know if I would recommend it.  It would be like recommending boot camp.  Of course, if I were reading this… and considering the options in education, I would probably tell myself I could do it.  Bring it on.  I’m optimistic that way.  I like a challenge.  What was most challenging was the manner in which the Institute works.  It is not a university/college setting.  Your instructors have a few years of teaching experience; they are bubbly and excited; they are also new at handling stressful environments in an adult environment.  Here is where you get the monkey wrench in the gears.

But I am here.  I can see the whole process and appreciate the obstacles and challenges.  Teaching is NOT easy.  There are so many of my colleagues in tears because it is difficult.  I knew it was difficult.  I appreciate my audience.  They have so much potential; and they have experienced challenges that make OTF a cake-walk in comparrison.  They have earned my respect; now I hope to gain theirs.

So far, it has been a good experience.  I’m sitting here with them in the computer lab now.  We’re writing our reflections on the quarter thus far.  Tomorrow the Exhibitions start.  Every student must present a thirty minute oral presentation on their work.  Monday I hear some of their practice presentations… I am so impressed!  I will let you know how it goes!

Finally, the faces I longed to meet

I have an amazing school site. 

We went on a retreat to Marin Headlands and stayed in the Youth Hostile.  I had an opportunity to get to know them outside the classroom.  At MetWest, it isn’t “us vs. them”.  The staff here are very supportive.  They have invested and continue to invest in their futures… for the students benefit, and for the benefit of the community/world.

Here are some of their faces.  Get to know them. They are the future.

My hiking group