Pencils and Crayons not Computers

I took on substitute teaching as I try to get work experience and figure out if teaching is the path for me.  I am not certified because it would take at least another year to do so.  Therefore, I thought it would be worth my while, and better for future students, to make sure that it is something that I want to do.  Not to mention, as a mom of four it is imperative to make sure that sacrifices are as pleasant as possible.

Something I am learning is that teachers are most certainly not paid enough here in South Bend.  Not because the students are bad students—we all go through periods of frustration—but because there are so many true needs associated with the students and I know that most of these teachers would bend over backwards to help their students succeed.

For example, I have been to many elementary schools (who shall remain nameless) where the students don’t have the tools they need to aid in learning.  I am not talking about laptops or computers.  I am talking about the basic technology of crayons and pencils—and working pencil sharpeners.

The pencils that the students use are of the cheapest quality because that is the best some of these parents can do.  The leads break so easy that sometimes students get their name written on their work and have to sharpen a pencil that they just sharpened moments before.  But, the pencil “sharpeners” eat the pencils more than sharpen them.

I’ve taken to taking my own pencils (already sharpened) and if someone needs a sharpened pencil they get one of mine.  Otherwise we would spend half of the time fighting a beast of a machine.  Talk about disruption!  You should see the smiles on some of their faces when I give them a sharpened pencil that doesn’t seem to break every time they write their names. These pencils are not even decorated.  They are just yellow Ticonderogas.

I was at a school where the students were sharing crayons, half a box to 4 or five students.  They were, for the most part, willing participants heart and mind.  But it slowed processes down and caused more frustration than just learning basic principles.  They wanted to get their work done, but because they couldn’t move on when they were ready it caused some to just quit or get distracted to causing frustration for other students—namely nit picking and causing spats.

I don’t know much about the no child left behind idea but children are being left behind.  One teacher to 23 struggling second graders equals some little ones being left behind.  Not that the teachers want that.  They worry over what to do for their students to make learning a pleasant experience.  I am one parent to four children and when they all need me at the same time it can be exasperating—to say the least.

I am just a substitute and the precious little people leave impressions on me that lift my soul and haunt my dreams.  I want more for them but my hands are tied.  What can I do?  Ideas?

Who's the Boss

So, I have finally done it.  I have graduated with my BA in literature and writing.  Yay!  However, there is also a feeling that somehow I am not as complete as I thought I would be.  I thought I would somehow be bestowed with a feeling of empowerment.  I’m not. 

Instead, I feel like I have digressed because I know now that I know nothing in the greater scheme of things-- Especially when it comes to parenting teens -- who think they are empowered by some unseen force. 

I have a child about to turn 13--next week as a matter of fact.  I also have a 40-something husband and father of the teenager “to be.”  At times it is almost impossible to tell the two apart.  Their behavior is so alike and sooooo frustrating!  They are continuously butting heads.  It’s like there are both vying for the head honcho of the family. 

Neither of the two wants to listen to the other.  Each believes with all of his might that he is right and that is that.  Each wants to do what he wants to do and believes that the other should do it also.  They jump to conclusions at the same time and reversals occur that put my head into a flat spin. 

My question is . . . How do I get them to realize who is really the boss?  Me . . . by virtue of motherhood!