The title of this entry refers to a 20+ year old ad campaign that GM did to upgrade the image of their new line of cars. That same phrase popped into my head when I had this conversation as I will relate below (but the phrase was modified to: This is not your father's education.Two days ago I asked a boy to stay after class. He had been tardy two times in a row and was also very slow to take out paper later in the period.
"Mark, I want to talk to you about being late. This is the second day in a row and I need for you to arrive earlier, like your classmates. Where is your 3rd period class that you have to walk from?"
"It's way across campus, in the main building, on the second floor"
Yeah Mark, I know that's pretty far but you can...
"And I can't walk that fast now because I got shot in the leg."
"Um...okay, well do the best you can.
That wasn't just a line, I know this student lives in a group home with other kids that that have had trouble with the law. If they have good behavior there and at school, they get to go back home in usually 4 - 9 months. Bad behavior earns them a trip back to ... jail.
Most of these boys are nice in class. However, sometimes their tempers flare at the group home, they go AWOL and I never see them again.
This is a transition year for our school. We are going back to a single track, on a traditional calendar. While last year my largest class leveled off at 42, I have 4 classes now at 44 to 47, and teach all six periods, no open conference or planning period. Students and staff alike know this isn't desirable or normal, but we all seem to be doing the hard work and not complaining so much. I think we teachers are just grateful to have a job. I know I am.
