Sunday, January 16, 2011

Some Assemblies Required

To: Doloris Lachen (English Dept. Head)
From: Mrs. Applebaume

Hi Doloris,

I wanted to let you know that your class was great at the End of Semester Assembly. I am glad my prep hour worked with the assembly schedule (I hope your meeting went well too).

You and I have attended the gamut of assemblies. I have shed tears for inspirational speakers, and student performances, and you have...from sheer boredom. This assembly stands alone. Allow me to share.

It started as your basic, Go Students, Finals are Over, Yahoo, kind of pep rally. There was the cheerleaders cheering, a mediocre vice principal speech from Mr. Bradley, some sugar-loaded junk given to the smart kids, and then our beloved custodian, Charlie.

I know what you are thinking...'Charlie?'. Apparently he had asked for a little time. I thought he might want to address the issue of girls blotting their lip gloss on the restroom mirrors (he had put up signs a couple of weeks ago asking them to stop). So, he gets up to the microphone and begins to talk about the pride he has in our school. He talks about how he sees our school's halls, windows, even desks as representing Us.

Now you know me, I am beginning to get verklempt. He calmly explains that he gives the same attention to the trophy cases as he does to the bathrooms. He takes the time to scrub every toilet with care. With his brush's help, he makes them sparkle. He explains that the finishing touch he does before turning off the restroom lights is take that same brush, and he scrubs the mirrors until they shine! He thanked the students one more time then went back to his seat.

I just thought you should know that our custodian takes school pride really seriously. I would also expect you to hear a few comments during your afternoon classes, so I wanted to give you the scoop.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Notes on Future Me

To: Doloris Lachen
(English Department Head)
From: Mrs. Applebaume

As per our district's mandate for professional introspection, I have written a small description of what inspired me to become a teacher.

I have always been a teacher. It started with my Fisher Price School Days Desk. I loved it. I still do. It was creative, orderly, and gave me a justifiable reason to be "in charge" of my little brother. Come to think of it...I may have had a much larger hand in why he hated school than I thought...hmmmm. Well, it worked out well for me.

As an elementary student, I wrote notes. Not just to friends or for assignments. I took notes on my teachers.
1st grade-Mrs. Winkowski-Use cubbies for school papers. They are made from wine bottle  boxes set on their sides. They make perfect student mailboxes.
2nd grade- Ms. Regan-Don't scratch arms while teaching. The noise is terrible.
3rd grade-Mrs. Sanders-Don't wear beige bras under white shirts. It shows through.
4th grade-Mrs. Wilkins-Be willing to laugh and try things for the first time in front of the class. Even if it doesn't go as planned.
Also, on the last day of school before winter break, say "See you next year!". It is confusing, and then sooooo funny.
5th grade-Mrs. Edgeward-Do not humiliate one's student by following bad advice from a student's mother. I did NOT need to wear the hockey goalie helmet my mother bought at a yard sale that past summer. Yes, I was an epileptic, but we were only cross country skiing!!!
6th grade-Mrs. Bowie- Do make extra effort with students. Without her, I would never have had legible handwriting (I am one of those Lefties turned into a Righty).
Do make students show maturity. The slides of nude Olympian males painted on vases were important to the lesson. Our body is a natural thing. Giggling about it is unnecessary.

I stopped taking notes in junior high. There were too many teachers and hormones to worry about notes...but I was still making mental notes.

I do not think I missed much by stopping when I did. The bones of my future me are there.

Well, I hope this is what the district faculty leadership committee was looking for. I need to enter some grades, respond to two parent e-mails, and pull together homework assignments for six students (three are sick, two are out for sports, and one is suspended). I will also make time to call my brother.