My Voice!

Dear Readers,

Isn’t it funny how certain events in our life seem to correlate with one another. I’m talking about my voice, literally and figuratively. For the longest time I’ve felt as if my voice hasn’t been heard; in my personal life, at work, at church, etc. Well, once my church got it’s new pastor, I decided to go to work. I joined the Praise team (choir), started going to Bible study, and teaching the little children at Bible study.

Even though the problem was there beforehand, I only noticed and began piecing things together during choir rehearsal. Since I am soprano, I naturally sing high. However, if I am forced to sing low, my voice virtually disappears. It seems really tiny. But my voice didn’t just seem like that in choir rehearsal. It was like that in almost every aspect of my life. At work, in my relationships, etc.

I actually had a disturbing dream the other day where I was running from an attacker and couldn’t call for help. I was opening my mouth but nothing would come out. I was so puzzled because I knew that I should have been able to voice my concerns, but strangely unable to. Once I woke up and calmed down, I knew perfectly well what my subconscious was trying to tell me.

I vowed to myself to get myself heard. I’ll say that it’s worked because now that I’ve been singing in the choir for a couple of months my voice is stronger. I noticed that my voice is not only stronger in choir, but at work and my everyday life.

Since I prize my voice so highly, no one is happier than I am with the new developments. I will continue to speak up for myself and let my voice be heard. Thank you for listening!

Bye for now!

Troubled, Not Dangerous???

Dear Readers,

I’ve been meaning to write everyday, but have been so beat when I get home. All I want to do is sleep because my students are so exhausting. I am excited to be writing again even though it’s not as often as I’d like. Today, I’d like to write about my students, who my director says are troubled, but not dangerous. Well, I beg differ. Two of them have brought knives in the last month. One student had 6 fights in one day. While two of my other students jumped another student in class. Initially I was shielding the student that got jumped but had to move out of the way to call for help because they were going to get to him whether I was there or not.

Well, as I wrote in my earlier post, it’s no longer my problem as I am moving to Elementary where the students are much calmer. Also, I will have two assistants that come to work on a daily basis that have the students under control. I’ll let you know how things work out. Bye for now!

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly! Part 2

Dear Readers,

I promised that I’d keep you apprised of the good, the bad, & the ugly at my adventures in a Non Public School. Well, today I have something good to tell you.

Good, But Bad at the Same Time! or (Bad, But Good at the Same Time!)

Dear Readers,

One of my students left today. It’s a good thing that he’s going to a better place where he can get the help that he needs. But (and this is a big but), now that he’s left, that means a new student. A new student at this school is not a good thing anyway. What’s even worse is a new student this late in the year. If a student is coming this late it means that, more than likely, the school /school district has been trying to get this kid out for awhile; for good reason.

However, there’s good news. The good news is that it’s not my problem because I am moving to Elementary school on Monday since one of the teachers is leaving on Friday.

I’m hoping to ride it out ’til the end of the year. l’ll let you know how things go. Bye for now!

 

A Very Well Deserved Day Off!

Dear Readers,

Since I took the day off from work on Friday, I had a four day weekend. I am so refreshed. I stayed in bed most of the weekend. After two days, I’d had enough of that. So this morning I called up my favorite cousin and went to breakfast at our favorite spot with her. It was so good. Although I can’t say that I’m really ready to return to work, I will say that I’m more ready than I was Thursday night before I decided to take the day off.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Here’s hoping. I’ll keep you posted. Bye for now!

3 1/2 Months & Counting!

Dear Readers,

I’ve discovered that some staff members are scared to come into my class. Are you serious? I’m one of the smallest staff members and am left alone on a nearly daily basis. I really didn’t realize how strong I really am. I am able to be alone with 12 emotionally disturbed teenagers and have a modicum of control.

I’ve had a few staff members tell me they are impressed with how I was able to come in, long after school started, make changes, implement systems and consistency, and build relationships with my students. I wish I could see what they see because I feel like a failure. I’ve been trying to hold it together, but I’ve been looking for jobs. The only thing is that I don’t think I’ll leave because I’d just end up in the same situation where I am going into a less than ideal situation. So, I am going to try and stick it out until June. It’s only 31/2 months from now. Here’s hoping I make it!

No, You Can’t Come In!

One of my students, who I’ll call CB Jones, is verbally abusive to me. Not only that, he threatened to stab one of the male staff members. If he threatened that particular staff member, I know he wouldn’t have a problem threatening me or even following through. So, since I am alone much of the time, I stopped him at the door and told him that he could not come in unless another staff member was present. He feigned ignorance.

“Why can’t I come in?,” he asked.

I told him that the question had been asked and answered and that I was done speaking with him. He then kicked the door and spit on the window. I’m not talking about a little bit of spit; I mean he “hocked a loogie!” It was really disgusting. I called in-house security, they carted him away and released him during the next period.

“Great,” I thought, “there was basically no consequence.”

It was at this point that I begin to wonder how I got myself into this position of being in this sucky job where I am in fear of my life on a daily basis. I began to feel sorry for myself. Right then and there I vowed to never be in a position where I feel powerless like this again. Usually I have a Plan B, Plan C, etc. However, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. One of my first steps is to get some pepper spray so I can defend myself.

I’ll keep you informed. Bye for now!

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly!

Dear Readers,

I’ve been reading my last couple of posts and it feels as if I haven’t been completely honest with you. I’ve only written about the good part of working with children in an NPS (Seeing results). Well, if any of you know anything about working in an NPS, it is that it is not pretty. I hadn’t written about it because I didn’t want to throw a pity party of one for myself. So, what I’m going to do is get out what I think and try not to revisit it. I can’t make any promises though.

Here’s what’s good:

• The food in the cafeteria is fantastic.
• I see my hard work paying off with a couple of students.
• Students leaving and returning to public school.
• Keeping hope alive.
• NPS almost always get out earlier than public school.
• They have many enrichment activities.
• Some kids do appreciate me.
• Some kids do have my back.
• I have and will do my best for those who want the help.
• I make way more money here than I did at my other job.
• It’s closer to my house.
• I can sometimes pick up my son & daughter.
• I don’t bring work home because of my prep periods.
• I love the staff.

Here is the bad & the ugly:

Evil Stepmother?!?!

Dear Readers,

I’ve discovered the answer to why one of my students, who I’ll call Maduka, has been treating me bad since Day 1 at my new job. How, you may ask? Well, I had a conference with his mother and she did a double take. She told me that I look just like my student’s stepmother, who’s about to have a baby. It wouldn’t be so bad if he liked the stepmother or if this baby would make him not be the baby anymore! Did you get that? I know it came out kinda’ weird, but I couldn’t think of another way to put it.

According to him and his mother, this lady is my twin. So, I talked to him and told him that although I remind him of his stepmother, that I am NOT her and to give me a chance.

“Let’s start with a clean slate,” I told him.

“Ok,” he said.

Although I’m not sure how much he really means it, he’s off to a good start. Only time will tell. I’ll keep you updated. Bye for now!

I Can Talk About Her, But You Can’t!

Dear Readers,

One of my students was highly offended when one of the students from another homeroom talked about me. My student, who I’ll call Hunter, immediately started reading the other student, who I’ll call Hezekiah, while the other students laughed. I actually saw him when he got that look. It was as if he was saying, “I can talk about her but you can’t!”

You know, I’ve been wondering why I was hired. I feel like I am not making a difference. Apparently I was wrong. They really are very protective of me. I’ll write more later.

He Walked Away… (Not Today!)

Dear Readers,

I have a lot to learn about boys and their precious egos. What I thought was a good thing actually turned out to be a bad thing. It started Friday afternoon. One of my students (I’ll call him Conner) has been talking about wanting to leave the school and return to public school. I told him some of the things he needs to do in order for that to happen. One of them being the lessening of fighting. He said that he was going to do his best. Well, fast forward to the end of the day when they usually fight and he proved himself. One of my students were trying to egg him on. This is what he said, “You know what, I’m not even going to fight you!” He then walked away! One would think it was over, but no!

The problem- I informed Conner’s counselor that he walked away from a fight. While you, and others reading this, may think this was a compliment, it wasn’t in the eyes of my students. He was picked on today and as a result he ended up fighting after lunch. He sucker punched one of my other students smack in the face. He didn’t walk away today.

I am actually afraid of what could happen tomorrow. I’m going to ask the head of security to do a random backpack and pocket search just in case one of them brings a knife. While I really hope this doesn’t happen, the reality is that it could happen!

Pray for me as I navigate the turmoil, trials, & tribulations of an NPS!