Some things may never change.

Last year a few co-workers and I went out to lunch. While we were eating, one of my co-workers mentioned that another co-worker drives a BMW. When no one said anything, she said it again.

A few weeks ago, there was a professional development day and many of the teachers were out of the building for other meetings. When it was time to go to lunch a co-worker (different from the first one) mentioned that the same lady drove a BMW and then proceeded to say another on had a Cadillac SUV. Then one said, "Yea, but where do they live?"

There are many issues I have with these "observations". First, it's no one's business how someone spends their earnings. No one talks about them for spending $300 on a pair of shoes or jeans. I think what really got me was the sound of angst in their voices.

Today in our meeting, a co-worker was announcing his birthday which is next Wednesday. I announced that he'd bring the treat (similar to what is done in elementary school). He and I were having this little banter about it and one of my co-workers said that he should bring the treats because he's the only department member who drives a Mercedes. He replied to her that she could drive one as well but she has opted not to do so. I was SO happy he said something to her. Maybe this will shut her up and her friends.

This really disturbs me because it is just another reminder that some things have not and may never change. There are still white people who claim to be very liberal minded yet they are afraid when Blacks have things nicer than them. All of these co-workers drive foreign cars and pay exorbitant amounts for clothes that sometimes look like they got them from a flea market. And they have the audacity to question how others spend their money. Unbelievable!

Elementary schools need to be departmentalized.

I teach high school English. One of my biggest struggles is when students leave elementary school, they are often lacking some of the basic skills needed to do well in English class. One of these skills is the ability to write a good thesis statement. I've noticed that most elementary school teachers encourage the students to restate the writing prompt they have been given. The issue I have with this is that is a form of plagiarism. In many colleges around the country, students are expelled for plagiarism.

I've often voiced my concern for elementary schools being departmentalized(meaning one teacher teaches a specific subject area) as a result of teachers who are not strong in one subject area but they have to teach that subject. As a result of this, many students are often left struggling with that subject because the teacher is not proficient in teaching the content. I believe if elementary schools were departmentalized like high schools, the students would have a better understanding of each subject.

There are some school districts that have middle schools and/or junior high schools that are departmentalized but a good number of them are not. I believe this change could be beneficial to the overall performance of a school district.

It saddens me that America is supposed to be such a great country but when it comes to public education, we are failing. If the politicians and other powers that be would stop trying to focus on standardized testing, some teachers could actually teach their students basic skills to prepare them for high school and beyond.

Rules work better when you are consistent.

The other day at work, one of the deans made an announcement over the intercom about the attire for the students. I am wondering who felt the need to make this announcement in February and school has been in session since September.

I sometimes think the higher ups actually believe that changing the rules in the middle of the game isn't such a bad idea. WRONG! The message that this sends to the students is we're disorganized as a school. Maybe they don't realize that children like and need structure. As adults, we need to show our children how to become responsible members of society and changing the rules as you are playing the game is not the way to go.

I also believe children need real life consequences. I've been in the same school for a few years with the same principal and various assistant principals. Some of the rules that were put into place a few years ago now seem to be extinct. It seems like anything goes now and the students who were here for the rule changes are taking advantage of this lack of consistency. Some of the students who have been here for a few years have noticed this and they take advantage of this.

It is really unfortunate that the adults are unable to remain consistent when it comes down to rules and consequences. Part of the education process is to teach students how to become productive members of society and when we don't give them the proper guidance, they fail. What ever happened to parental responsibility? I guess that baby was thrown out with the bath water.

Black History Month

Yesterday was the first day of Black History Month. I read a friend's status on Facebook encouraging people to celebrate the month. Another friend posted something about educating the children about it. The guy who made the original post then commented about that being the educators job. Of course I had to chime in.

I am always amazed by the people who believe everything should fall upon the teacher. What most people fail to realize is the parent is the first and most important teacher. There are too many parents who look to the teacher for everything. I think we are probably the only race of people who have dropped the ball as it relates to educating our young. We are no longer taking an active role in our child's lives.

I asked this person what happens when the teacher does not teach about Black history? What do you do? Or the teachers who think reading a poem by a Black person is sufficient? How do our children learn about their history and heritage when this occurs? It is my hope and prayer that we get it together as a race of people before it's too late!