Thursday, November 20, 2008

This might not be about you...

No, this might not be about you, you slender waif whose thoughts on my physical appearance fly quite plainly across your face as I check out at Walgreens or walk down the hall at school. I'm sure you aren't doing the full body checklist and you're definitely not mentally summing up that I clearly don't care about the way I look, since I teeter on the brink of death at 30. I'm sure you aren't thinking that if I was just skinnier I might be get a date once in a while. I know that's not what you're thinking.

This might not be about you, yes, you there, driving in the carpool lane at 6:32 in the morning, by yourself, on your cell phone, while you drink your grande nonfat extra shot caramel machiatto (no whip). This might not be about you breaking three different laws before breakfast, all because it's dark and no one can see that you aren't part of a carpool. I'm sure if you get stopped, you'll get a ticket, since all women who drive in the carpool lane and use their cell phone get tickets. Not just the ones who aren't so hot.

This might not be about you, the parent who assumed that your child was attending fourth period every day, even after several emails to the contrary. This might not be a call for help from your child that they need more attention. I'm sure your kid is fine and probably has great friends who are an excellent influence on him. In fact, I'm sure you're right. Your child is a responsible adult who is late getting home because he has kindly driven his friends home after practice several times, even when he's no longer a member of the team. I'm sure it wasn't him I saw smoking on that street corner last week, and it was probably the wall behind him that smelled like alcohol and pot yesterday.

This might not be about you, the coworker that talks down to others in any and every meeting. I'm sure you probably didn't actually mean to say that your way is the only way. I probably misunderstood you when you said that you want your students to use a writing method that as a school we have agreed is outdated and no longer relevant. I'm sure that your way is, in fact, the only way.

This might not be about you, the man who has decreed that every child in the entire nation must be judged by the same standard, no matter the fact that a founding principle of this nation is that diversity is welcomed and celebrated and that anyone can become anything they want to be. You're right, it does make sense to blame teachers, who see a child for 250 minutes a week, for 40 weeks, for all the problems in our schools. You're probably right, a child that can't mindlessly repeat meaningless information back on a test should be punished as well as the teacher, the principal, the school, and the district that he is a part of. And I'm sure you are correct, spending millions of dollars on a test that is changed every couple of years, a test that a teacher could have written in an hour or two, that is definitely, absolutely, undeniably fiscally responsible.

I totally agree. And this is probably not about you.

24 comments:

The Joynes Girls said...

Hi Saucy thing... I love a good venting blog post. Bravo! I admire the work you do because I know it can't be easy. I work in education at a museum, so at least we can wave at the kids and send them back to your schools.

larkswing said...

Over from SITS . . .

Ooooh, I like this post!

Lorie said...

Dear Darkside:

I am here from SITS.

I hop you have a Happy Friday without any of the Waifs and Parents from this post interfering!

Abounader Photography said...

I definitely think that teachers should be the millionaires instead of the singers and athletes. You all deserve to be paid equal to the importance of your job. I love this post!

DiPaola Momma said...

Stopping by from SITS.. Oh I'd like to add to the person that this open letter is not about. I'm sure that she also thinks it's all about her abilities when she gets the promotion or job that the fat girl who has 10x more talent, experiance and ability is looked over for.

I'm so glad to be a SAHM these days. And even though I hit that freaking gym 5 days a week I'll saddly never be a slinky thing.. but I'll always be a good person. Thanks for being the teacher who cares about the kid missing 4th period! (from the mom of a teenager, tweenager and 2 toddlers)

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

ok, i love this post. i wish i could say more, but i can't find words to do it justice. i loved it!

Anonymous said...

Nothing like a great vent... even if it probably isn't about anybody.

Unknown said...

I am visiting from SITS this is a great post. Love the writing. I will be back.

Tiffany said...

Great letter.

Especially the last paragraph.

You tell it, girl.

litanyofbritt said...

great post!! i'm going to follow you, kay?

Debie Napoleon said...

Visiting from SITs - Nice rant about nobody. I certainly feel your pain - I just left a job with many people like you describe...lol

Anonymous said...

Good points, especially the school issues. Found you on SITS :)

Heather said...

Excellent letter, especially the part about teachers! :) Cheers to you, SITSta!

Incidentally, our cat looks AMAZINGLY like your cat Sophie. I just showed her picture to my hubby and he agreed. I think we have long lost twin kitties!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Whew, powerful stuff. Visiting from SITS.

Mimi said...

Great post. I feel like we are banging our heads against the wall when it comes to education in this country.

lynette355 said...

Hello fellow SITS-er. Enjoyed your Dear Letter. I am right there with you on that. Amen Amen and Amen! Come visit me at:
http://theysayimnuts.blogspot.com/2008/11/dear-crazy-friends.html

Momma Chae said...

AMEN!
I teach English and Geography... and we had conferences today.... It always explains so much when you meet the parents.

Colleen said...

Perfect! Oh how I wish I had been this eloquent when I quit last year. Cheers to you!

Anonymous said...

Hello - SITSta!
I love this post :) Great letter. My mom has worked at the local school for 20 years - and she will agree with you about the parents!

Mammatalk said...

Just stopping by from SITS and had to say I loooove the title of your blog! I am a teacher , too. I can relate.

Erin said...

All I am saying is.....
AMEN SISTER!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, look at you and your big fan club. :)

Aunt Julie said...

This fits in great with the Super-Duper Giveaway that's Goin' On over at my place...please stop by when you have the chance!

Wendy said...

Saw you on SITS...

Uhm, this post isn't about me is it? Because if it's not about all those other people, it must be about me.

Seriously, good vent.