Teaching Behind the Walls

My little problem

2005-12-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

This job is really emotionally draining, half of this is my fault because I get so attached. I get so emotional when other teachers or employees make assumptions about my students that are very wrong because they do not know the student. One student in particular I have had for well over 2 months and he is a big joker/story teller. The other day I was reading in some paperwork that someone said he thought people were following him, that makes me laugh. It makes me laugh because that is something he would say just to get a rise out of you, make you think he is crazy but he is not. He just wants someone to pay attention to him. Another student who I had for a while, but got moved in the facility because I didn't have enough space in my area is now in a place where he gets absolutely no help. He needs someone with him almost all the time just to remind him to get back on task and be there to listen. He is another student that just need some attention.

I am just so frustrated with some things. I do not like that others do not take their job seriously, doing as little as possible just to get by, choosing to work where I work just so they do not have to do that much extra work. It makes me so nuts! There are a million of other people that would work their tale off to have a job like that but bad eggs are in their place.

They are only kids...hmm...

2005-12-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

I kind of had a reality check with a detainee today. He was put into my typing class so I could "baby sit" him while the pod officier did God knows what (probably talked on the phone knowing her). So I put him on the computer and told him he could do a typing lesson or play typing games instead of sitting twiddling his thumbs. I was going on with the rest of class and sat down in my usual spot where I could watch the kids type and make sure that they are not in he wrong program or if they need assistance. When I looked at this new boy's hands I saw that he had a gang name written across his fingers and on his screen was a penguin typing game. It was just so funny to me to see this kid with a gang name like that on his hand that probably beat the living tar out of someone and had the same done to him playing a game like that. It was really a reminder that these kids don't know what they have gotten themselves into. It made me kind of sad, man I couldn't do this job my whole life!

A green polka dot lesson...

2005-11-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Today was one that tops my most embarrassing moments ever! To say the least, gave my students a little show with my keyboarding lesson (and not on purpose)! Well, most of the day went really well, gave a few one, had a few behaviors, nothing out of the ordinary. I was actually really pleased with the day and how quickly it went by today. I learned today that I will have to be teaching my keyboarding program again this month but to my staff secure students this time. So I was all ready to go, had some spare time today, just floating through the day. Keyboarding was wrapping up and the students were playing games on the computer, then I decided to get a tissue since my nose was running a little. I turned around to giggles of two of my fellow teachers that were working on a project in the room together (since I only had 4 students). The one male teacher asked me to come over to him as he was dying laughing and he stuttered and said behind his laughter "I like your green polka dot panties." A flash a red probably shot through my body as a reached my hand around and felt that my zipper on my pants had broken exposing almost my entire butt crack (which was covered by underpants). I just couldn't stop laughing. At the end of class one of the girls asked what I was laughing about, and then said she saw it. I asked her why she didn't say anything and she told me she didn't think it was that funny and didn't know what to say. Another one of the students said she saw it too but also didn't know what to say. I told them next time they need to say something (thank God only half the class which was only 2 saw that). The one girl said she didn't see it in class and thinks that it happened while we were in typing. Oh man! I feel like such a stupid head! I guess I did kind of get to create a rapport with the two girls that saw it. I guess showing my butt might be worth getting on the comfortable side of those two girls.

It's clicking but not running...

2005-11-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well, after a somewhat challenging day at work I was welcomed to the surprise of my car not starting. The radio turned on the auto locks worked, but boy it was not running! It was clicking but not wanting to even start. Oh well, I did get some really great time with a couple other teachers over coffee.

Today, was well, a challenge. Not just with the students but with my corrections officer. Whenever she is in my room behaviors shoot through the roof and little home work gets done. Today was no different! The worst was when I came back, after having to cover someone else's classroom on the other side of the building (about 7 security doors away) she got kind of saucy with me. When she is in the room I would rather just have no one, because it is about the same but she reels the students up. Thus, she made my day more of a hell but not being there to be supportive and not helping one bit. It isn't cool when I need my computer and she is sitting in front of it reading a magazine. Then when I tell her I need to find something for someone she acts all offended and then doesn't monitor the students. She is rude to students who act differently because of a disability and just puffs up and gets mad about it. Grr...I should say she clicks but doesn't help the classroom run.

Cycles...

2005-11-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

It is really weird how much the kids cycle through JSC. I have three of my students back who were here before, and I am sure I will get others back too. I was talking to one of the other teachers about one of my students in my keyboarding class who went DOC (department of corrections) until he is 21 and he is 15. He said that he was crying when he was sitting there. I told the teacher that I felt bad for him, felt somewhat sorry for him, and the other teacher said he didn't. I do not understand why you wouldn't feel sorry for a kid like that. He screwed up, and it is sad that he has to live with that or even be put in a position where he could screw up his life so much. That is a long time to pay for something that you probably didn't understand the seriousness or the scope of. I know some people think that if you are old enough to do the crime you should do that time. Speaking from experience (not being a juvenile but with other things) you can really make bad choices that ruin other's lives and sometimes end them at that age and not understand it until you're older. I suppose it is a good way to "escape" reality by being put into "jail" and they are able to get a fresh start (hopefully). I just wish that there was something I could do more to help "save" those kids. It hurts my heart to know that they may become hard and live without love like that. I know I cannot save them all, but I wish that there was more that I could do for them.

And then there were three...

2005-11-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

I had one of the most boring days ever at work! Well at this job anyway, my old job working in a factory was much worse! I only have six students right now and in the afternoon I have only three. They all pretty much take care of themselves. No one is needy; they just work work work. Man it sucks! I miss my kids that needed me! I hope this doesn't last too long, not enough action! To top it off my "program" that I teach is keyboarding, boring! All I do is sit there and Mavis Beacon does the rest. It is actually a joke! It is so stupid! They really could run that one with a pod officer! I do not know why I couldn't teach a reading strategies class or something. Something fun and exciting! Who knows I am just wasted talent!

Everyone has FASD!

2005-11-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we (a bunch of people from the Juvenile Services both correction staff and teachers) went to a seminar on FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) which was really interesting and informative. Today during one of our meetings, well it was suppose to be a meeting that never happened because my boss who thinks she is Mrs. on the ball wasn't there, the teacher I have the biggest problem with was telling everyone who is classic FASD. I am thinking, just last week at this time you didn't even know what FASD was now you are telling us who is a prime or classic case of it. What a moron! The only person who can even diagnose it is a doctor, and that isn't at all what she is, she isn't even that good of a teacher. Some people make me so sick! Even last Friday there was a group talking about who they think has it and one person said they probably all have it. They make me sick! YUCK! PUKE! Another one of the teachers said that the same thing happened when they went to a conference on ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). People are so stupid. Get the latest information in your head and everyone has it.

Oh say can't I breath...

2005-11-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

Right before leaving I was suppose to leave work today, I was back in the teacher's office minding my own business trying to hurry to get out of work so I could be with my lovely husband. As I was walking out into the sally port (which is where we call the area between two doors that are locked) between the medium classrooms and the physical secure commons (where they all eat lunch and do large group assemblies) I heard a call on my radio. The call was to turn the perger on in the physical secure commons which means they are turning the vents on full blast to pull out the OC spray (which is like pepper spray) out of the air. So, some kid got "sprayed." So I went back into the teacher's office and told the others that we had to stay back because of the spray. A couple of us after about 10 minutes decided that we needed to get out of there and go home because the spray was seeping into the teacher's office about making us sick. I didn't think it could be that bad, so I went through at first it was bearable, then we had to walk right through the orange mess on the floor. I thought I was going to die! It literally took the wind out of you, but made you want to gulp breaths which made it just that much worse. I am still feeling the burn of it in my lungs and that happened about 2 hours ago.

I guess it is one of the weird situation that I would never come in contact with in a "real school." I really like my job, but there are some kind of weird things that you can come in contact with. The worst thing in a public school that you might have to smell is someone's puke or fart, which is really nothing because you can still breath 2 minutes after passing it.

I did have almost a complete turn around in kids though this week, which can be hard but nice because the sassy ones you don't usually have to deal with for too long. I only have one kid that I started the week with and she will be around for a while. I like her a lot though, she is funny and very open. I just have a really quiet bunch right now, hopefully this long weekend won't get them too familiar with each other so they are naughty when I get back. Heck, I might not even have any of them there by then.

A relaxing break from the norm

2005-11-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

I started my first "program" yesterday since it is a new month. I am adventuring into the wide world of keyboarding! Man what a yawner! When I think of a typing class I think of my old German teacher from a small town called Java, and being ridiculed and swore at in German, having my desk kicked because it was out of "the black mark." He thought the desks would not fit in there without having them right on the black mark on the floor. I also remember having a box over my hands and him shouting out "l ; space k r r b u ..." and hearing the drumming of 15 typewriters clicking at each letter he said. I remember timed writings where we couldn't cheat because he would hear us or see that we used the white-out. Now, that is typing and respecting what you type without errors. Having the students "let loose" on Mavis Beacon has been kind of a bore, no timed writings, no un-editable errors. I have really enjoyed the break though, it is nice to have a group of kids sit with head phones on and just do their thing with little questioning or talking.

Today, I also got a break in my classroom, our documentation system on the computers were down this morning so it strongly discouraged moving students around the building, which was really nice! It was nice to have only 9 kids most of the day, then when there was programs in the afternoon I had only 5. I really enjoyed working with my one student one-on-one without having anyone say or do anything to stop me. Man I am going to miss him when he leaves, he has really been getting good at making fun of me.

Clean desk policy...Does it apply to shelves?

2005-10-28T22:46:00.000-06:00

Working in the facility that I do I have to deal with a lot of confidentiality of other students and we have a "clean desk" policy which means we cannot have anything laying on our desks with a student's name on it. So instead of laying it on the desk, I lay it on the shelf so I can file it at a more convenient time along with many various other papers. Today as I look a look at the mess that I would call my shelves I really felt like "hey this is how I am feeling, a mess." It seems just as I finish one thing another thing is right there waiting to be completed. Just as I have a minute 10 more things pop up that I have to get done. It kind of sucks, but I will get over it. As I thought about my shelf I said to myself, it can wait until Monday.

I do have some exciting news, I got nominated for employee of the month, which is pretty darn exciting. It really made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like I was really needed. Also, I get to start my exciting typing class! YEAH! What a blast! I get to sit for an hour every day for a month and listen to the tapping of keys. I really wish I could have something a little more action packed.

Working double in a single room...

2005-10-24T20:23:00.000-06:00

I have come to believe that I cannot believe anything my boss has told me about my job because everything she said would happen has not. Today, for example, I had 21 students, I am only suppose to have 12 at a time. Today I learned in my meeting I may have up to 24 that I have to "service." They failed to tell me yeah, I can only have 12 in my room but I can have another 12 working on the pod (which is what they call where they live and eat). Not only did I get guff for that but also I got some guff for not helping out another teacher who takes an extra class period because of the extra students that I have in my side of the building so they can have PE. Argh! Needless to say I will be staying after to prepare myself and help the other teacher.

I just am getting frustrated with a lot of stuff at work. I like it but it seems as if they drop stuff on you that they have previously said wouldn't happen and then expect you to have expected it. Oh well, my wining won't help me out, as long as I still get my paycheck that is all that should matter.

I'd rather drink a pop full of ants...

2005-10-21T16:29:00.000-06:00

After work today I thought that I would treat myself to a nice mocha; dreaming of its chocolate coffee deliciousness I drove to the nearest coffee hut. This particular coffee hut I had never tried before but I thought how could you screw up a mocha? So I went. Paid my $3 plus tip sat in my car dreaming of the deliciousness that was about to hit my lips. When I got it I savored its sweet coffee smell with a hint of chocolate, when I drank it I took a sip of the most disgusting coffee/chocolate powder mixture I have ever tasted. I think spraying chocolate onto a used coffee filter would have been more appealing. It was like this chocolate powder sludge that I think was bakers coco powder not Quick or Ovalteen but un-sweetened, chunky, wet and bitter! I wanted to cry "MORE OVALTEEN PLEASE!" because that would've been better. It was so bad that I almost turned around and told the lady at "Cup a Go Go" to go-go shove the coffee where the sun don't shine because it tastes like it came from there and needs to go back! Yuck! I should've guessed anywhere with a stupid name like that and an ad for candy corn flavored latte made with vanilla and orange should've been the tip off. Sometimes we just do dumb things...

Well, anyway, I should maybe talk about something educational since after all this is suppose to be an educational discussion not "coffee talk." Today was a good day, things went well, not too many drawn out conversations over if we should have mouse pads or not. One of my girls that left last week is back, I didn't have much time to talk with her because I had some other students with home school work that I had to tend but she wasn't too happy to be back. I guess I wasn't pleased as punch to see her back either. I mean, I like her, it is just I do not like to see her there.

I guess, I just needed to rant a little about the coffee, not much else has happened in my world.

Sometimes you have to know when to pull out!

2005-10-19T16:26:00.000-06:00

I hope your not thinking of any references to non-educational activities in that title, if you weren't you probably are now. Anyway, I had another breakthrough with my low functioning student, who I am really getting fond of now. He is still with us at the center and might be for a while because of his functioning level which causes behaviors (at least in my book it does). The special education director at our center thought that it might be a good idea to try doing some pull-out classes with him. I thought for a second and said sure why not, it is worth a try. He was having an exceptional day today so it was a good day to start it. When we gave it a try and I had him all by himself he was like night and day. He was willing to talk with me, laugh with me and learn with me. We worked on his reading homework and had some side conversation and made some good connections with the book. I am just pleased as punch with that, I am hoping that this keeps up as long as we can pull him out for an hour.

Life is great on the ranch, and I am so glad that I am teaching where I am. It was a good thing.

Here in the real world...

2005-10-17T19:21:00.000-06:00

I have been having kind of a hard time lately being a first year teacher where I am right now. I am the youngest by far who is working there as a teacher and it is just hard not to have anyone to talk to. When I talk to some of the other teachers sometimes I just want to vent but I cannot. I guess I am just kind of down. I really shouldn't be, but I am frustrated, I hate having to do other people's jobs and having to answer to the students when people do their jobs wrong. I am having trouble with knowing my boundaries between keeping the students quiet and busy at something and having them do the right thing. I seem to feel like I get caught in the middle of other teachers, one saying do this the other saying do that. Keeping professional when others aren't can be really hard.

Another thing that has been getting to me is people taking someone's word for gospel and not questioning it. Today we had a "training" on how the brain works, and no one really quested the validity of some of the things being said but just took them for gospel. I don't like that. You can't learn about things if you do not debate them or at least question them a little. Brain science is so complex that there really is no "right" answer in it that they could know 100%. That is just me being skeptical.

Today I was finally approached also by the teacher who is suppose to be "helping" me with this project that have been working on and almost completed asked me if I wanted her help on something. Of course I said no because it is a one person job now since I am almost done. I hate people trying to take credit when they aren't due it.

The brake through...

2005-10-03T20:19:00.000-06:00

It was kind of a milestone for me when one of my lower functioning students who has servere behavior problems actually asked for my assistance today. I think he is actually getting comfortable with me enough to ask me for help, even though he doesn't want it all the time. I think he finally sees that I am on his side and I do want to help him. I have really had a hard time with him at first, but he is kind of growing on me.

Who moved my flip chart markers....

2005-09-26T20:23:00.000-06:00

Today when I came to work I looked in my desk for my inventory sheet because last Friday I forgot to mark down that my boss took my high-lighters from my desk because they didn't have AP written on them. When I pulled open my squeaky top metal desk drawer much to my surprise it wasn't there...So I was like hmm...Someone has been in my desk! Of course I knew it had to have been my boss since we were getting an audit today by ACA (American Corrections association or something like that). I didn't think anything of it, so I went about setting up my classroom before shift change turning on my computers, typing in the passwords, looking up my pod listings (which is my class roster for the day), checking my e-mail from the weekend. You know the usual stuff you do before a meeting.

When I got to the meeting we had shift change as usual, mental health notes, yada yada, finding out who has court, this and that. Then we had our usual education meeting to talk about any problems/questions we had you know about certain kids that got transferred to a different pod and stuff like that. Then it happened. Our boss came in and totally rearranged our morning, which threw me off a little, what threw me off more was we had to discuss desk inventory and how we all had to be exactly the same. Thus, someone moved my flip chart markers, and my three hole punch, and my red pen (since one person didn't have one), and my glue stick.

These items may sound petty to those elementary teachers with desk brimming full of glue and markers and tape and glitter but when you only have one, loosing that one thing really hurts. It hurts more knowing that you have to go through 8 locks before you can get to it which means at least 10 minutes between me and my sweet flip chart markers. I cannot wait until Wednesday when I can reclaim what was rightfully mine and return my missing supplies to my desk.

Not only did I have my supplies ripped from my loving desk but I also had to listen to every scenario this one lady had that applied only to her classroom, which no one ever uses as a classroom but she somehow has every supply brand new in her desk stocked to the brim and demands that she has them. She even went so far as hiding her flip chart markers in her cart that she wheels around unsafely that is filled with weapons waiting to happen (well it isn't that bad but it is a car full of just junk and papers that who knows what is even in there, may those encyclopedias from 1963 that she insisted that say around because they are still so valuable). Okay, I have a little anxiety towards this individual, I will get over it.

Supply dilemmas weren't the only thing on my mind today, I was wondering why a couple of my students that I found rather amusing were moved from my classroom. Then I read the IR (incident report) folder and found out that they beat down another one of my students. That is just so chocking to me because I really liked those kids; they were nice and polite and seemed smart. I guess though they couldn't be too smart beating down a kid in an area filled with cameras and adults that have their eyes on the constantly. I am sure they will be in there for a while longer, which is nice that they aren't back in society because if they do that in a place where all eyes are on them, who knows what they do when no one is looking. Just crazy reality I am getting there!

I thought you were suppose to learn that...

2005-09-22T17:51:00.000-06:00

Back in college, one of my professors once told me that there are two things in special education that you need to remember...There are things that are right and there are things that are real. I got a taste of what is real, even though it may not be right. In my classroom I have 7 of my 12 students on IEPs for various reasons, many of them severe emotional disturbance, a few learning disabilities, a couple mentally retarded, and then we have other health impairment. Today I saw one of the worst examples of other health impairment that I had no idea fit that category. Lack of organizational skills. I don't get that, there are a lot of people with that but I do not think it would require that you be placed full time in a resource room. I am not seeing the correlation. The girl is fine to me, maybe I am missing something.

I also have seen some fine examples of what not to do on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) such as not proof reading, over wording, and just plain stupidity. Little Johnny (not his real name) is suppose to show respect of others and not act aggressively 3 out of 4 times, so like the 4th time he can flip the heck out. It just made me laugh while I was typing up our SPED reports, but it isn't my job to rewrite it, it is my job to help teachers learn implement it or take our best guess at what they mean. Some of them are so broad and general that something as simple as handing the student a tissue would be able to count for making progress. Okay, so it isn't that bad, but it is still pretty bad.

It's just like high school...Relationships and dating in JSC

2005-09-20T18:12:00.000-06:00

I really had no idea that someone could meet the love of their life in JSC but I think one of my female students thought she had. Yesterday was really interesting after Physical Education and one of my female students who has been there since I have came in just crying her eyes out. The correction officer said she was taking care of it. When I found out later through a note the student wrote to the correction officer that this female detainee was dating one of my male detainees and he had broken up with her. I know they had to have met each other through JSC because of their geographical locations being so far apart from each other. I really wonder how you start a relationship with someone you can only talk to during PE, Lunch, in the hall and once a month at awards ceremonies. They are teenagers though, I need to give them that. Hormones...Crazy things, I suppose those don't stop when you get into a place like that.

Today my female detainee was feeling much better, as if she almost forgot it. She talked to our mental health lady about it I think, so hopefully it was all taken care of.

Release

2005-09-12T17:17:00.000-06:00

I had a weird taste of reality in my job today. Some of my students who have been around since I started had court today and are being released. It is a weird feeling to get to know some students and then know that you do not want to see them in your class again. Not that I didn't like them, because I did enjoy them, but I just don't want to see them in trouble again. I really do not know what a feel about it; it is kind of bitter sweet.
Everything has been going really well so far, I really feel right at JSC. I had a pod officer today that told me she only thinks I will be there a year because of all the paperwork I have to do will drive me crazy. When I told her I liked it there and I feel like it was my place to be right now, she kind of shut her mouth. That really isn't that attitude I want in my classroom from the students and I especially not from the other staff.
I about laughed when I was given the responsibility of the spelling bee. I am horrible at spelling! When I told the kids about it today they gave me the same response I would've had, oh great. Some of them were more interested when I told them that they could earn more behavior exchange points for winning. I am hoping that I will be able to find some lists so I do not have to keep making up my own. I guess I will just have to see.

All by myself...I am glad to be all by myself...

2005-09-07T16:59:00.000-06:00

I am finally by myself in my classroom! Well, not really all by myself, I still have a correction officer there to assist me if needed (and boy am I glad they are there!). My students really are good kids, they have just made some bad choices in their lives. Overall today went really well, I think the students behaved a little bit better knowing that they are more accountable for their actions since I am with them all day. We did have one little verbal disagreement between a couple of students (who even though were not much bigger than I am were probably much stronger and more skilled in the areas of combat) and I felt I had to step back and allow the nice corrections officer take care of it. I just do not know what to do in those situations, I kind of lack the experience.

Today, I also got the pleasure of organizing my bookshelves by weeding out any books that had "lusty bold brunettes" and "thrilling muderous consequences." Not only because of their content but because the vocabulary is much too high for the students in my classroom (ok well mostly because of the content but one of my fellow educators gave me that excuse). I got a good jump on it yesterday but that was mostly weaning out of text books. I made an executive decision that anything that I used in high school or was copyrighted before I was born was okay to go (I even found a book that I received from my 5th grade teacher in 5th grade because he was throwing it away). There really was a plethora of books from the 70s and 80s, which is kind of crazy. I did hold onto a few of the older books because I thought they really looked pretty on the shelf (yeah, you can say it I am a dork). It is really amazing all the stuff that was packed into my room, I am really glad I have gotten a chance to do a little downsizing.

I cannot believe it is Wednesday already, that is just craziness! Two more days by myself, boy am I glad to be teaching!

Finally got to be in my element...

2005-09-01T16:16:00.000-06:00

Today I finally got to be in my element, the classroom. I got to go in there with one of my favorite fellow educators who is very relaxed and isn't afraid to admit she makes mistakes to anyone. I really enjoy working with her because she really is a real person and doesn't make excuses or act like her poop don't stink.

I was pretty floored when the students walked into class this morning, they actually came in and sat down and behaved the whole time! There was one student that was kind of chatty, but we were in a small room so it was kind of tight in there, so it was kind of expected. It really jazzed me up to get started, then I got the call, I had to go back to training. I almost wanted to tell my supervisor "No mom, I am not ready." I did maintain my composure but was really disappointed. Tomorrow I get some more action and I cannot wait!

Just another day in Orientation...

2005-08-31T17:32:00.000-06:00

Well, it is getting closer and closer to an actual school day and contact with actual students. I honestly cannot wait. If I have to read any more silly manuals that do not pertain to me as a teacher I think I might just explode! I think I am already feeling some burnout here, and I might have to talk to my mentor teacher or another safe teacher about it because I am just getting frustrated. It isn't that I do not think I will like the job it is just I am having trouble with having to sit in a room all day long without really accomplishing anything and then having some of my teaching time taken away because if it.

Today the other new teacher and I sat in our training room and read manuals almost all day and our trainer (who is really nice and I love her to death but they honestly put too much on that poor ladies plate and it seems as if she has to ride anyone to get even the smallest thing done) popped in and out and we really had no real structure to our training. She was suppose to be with us all day long but because of her schedule and other outside factors we was with us maybe 3 of the 8 she was suppose to be with us. We also didn't get any breaks because once it was break time she would finally come in and tell us we need to put our nose to the grindstone because we are so behind (which is no fault of ours but we lost out on our breaks) we also only got a 20 minute lunch break when we were suppose to get a full hour and then she proceeded to keep us 20 minutes later. Yeah, not too pleased. I really think I just need to talk to one of the other teachers about it because I am kind of at the breaking point and the other new teacher always seems to patronize me when I say anything. Just because it is my first year teaching and I am half your age doesn't give you the right to treat me like a child. It really hurts my feelings and makes you look very unprofessional.

Okay, I am sure if you are still reading this you must think I need a hot bath and a nap; I think I might do just that.

Tomorrow will be better.....Tomorrow will be better....Tomorrow will be better....

Getting Orientated

2005-08-30T07:09:00.000-06:00

Well, I have started my orientation with JSC and so far it has been interesting. I really am about sick of reading policy manuals but I suppose I need to know the policy/procedures for working with clients such as this.
I was very excited yesterday since I finally have gotten a chance to meet some of my fellow teachers besides that one that I am starting with who is from Canada. They are all very good people and I am excited to be working with them.
I still haven't gotten the opportunity to work with any students yet, but I will start working in classrooms on Thursday. I will also have to be up really early then, even though I am getting pretty used to this time zone and waking up as early as I am now. I am hoping it won't be a fight tomorrow.

Background

2005-08-23T09:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my blog. I decided to start blogging one day when I was riding in my car thinking heck someone might want to read about my experiences. I am in somewhat of a unique situation, well, as I can tell from my searches of the Internet, of being a first year teacher in a juvenile detention center. There seem to be a lot of myths and misconceptions about juvenile centers and working with high risk students. I hopefully will help dispel any of those through my blogging even though I may reinforce a few. I really make no promises.

I recently graduated from one of the greatest teaching universities in South Dakota, Black Hills State University (it is somewhat the secret of the hills). I graduated with degrees in Elementary and Special Education and through taking a first aide course as a freshman I received certification in assistant coaching. I am in my first year teaching (I am a special educator/regular educator so I do double duty somewhat) at a juvenile Services Center in the great state of South Dakota.

Here is what I know so far about my classroom:

I will only have 12 students at a time.
I will be working with minimum and medium security clients.
The clients that I work with will change on a daily basis.
I will have a correction staff member with me in my classroom.
I do not have to buy teacher clothes, I have a uniform.
I cannot have any of my personal belongings in my classroom.
I cannot use paper clips or staples because they can be used a weapons.
I do not have to correct papers.
I do not have to monitor after school activities.
I work with a very supportive and kind staff of only 8 other teachers.

I am hoping that there will be a lot of laughs and not too much heartbreak. I begin training on the 25th and I will try to update this as much as I can.