Just kidding about the "Justice served" part. In reality, my principal left me 11 referals to take care of. All I did was call the students to the office and put them in detention or ISS based on the suggestions of the principal. Almost all of these offenses were for multiple tardies or skipping out on detentions. Parents were contacted and I got to explain to them what was going on.
The students sent to DAEP were done so because they were caught on campus with illegal substances (pain pills) that they were distributing. Two of those students were sent to jail for still having the pills on them! That was an ordeal that took up most of my afternoon the first day. There is a ton of paperwork that needs to be completed as well as setting everything up with DAEP and the jail. All of this is done before the parents are contacted.
(not a real picture from my school, but that's about what it looked like!)
I also got to deal with a parent (in Spanish) that claimed our soccer program was racist because her Mexican son did not make the team. I dealt with a woman who was trying enroll her son in another high school. I dealt with behavior referrals that came in over those two days. I was assigned to monitor the basketball tournament that was going on during the latter half of Thursday at our school and make sure that teams and officials involved knew where they could and could not be while class was going on. I even monitored lunches.
It was an interesting experience and really gave me some insight as to what an administrator has to deal with. It was nothing like teaching a class. No lesson plans, no assignments, and no set schedule to follow. Things just kind of happened! It was overwhelmingly busy at times, and then there were times where not much was going on.
I would highly recommend the experience if you have the chance. Our principal has told me that if an administrator is out he is happy to let me step in and the school will pay for a sub for my classes. I am not sure if this is the unofficial policy on other campuses, but it sure doesn't hurt to ask. I am hoping over the duration of our program that I can do this a lot more. It was a great experience!
James, I can tell you need a lot of experience in knowing what information is appropriate for blogging about from your school. First of all, those students who were taken to jail have rights as citizens. These charges are alleged.
ReplyDeleteMy other comment about your blog is calling a student in America no matter what his nationality is a "Mexican". How dare you think you can carelessly use that term on students. Are you a racist? Because it does sound like it. I am appalled at your lack of professionalism.
You sound like you are gloating and very unprofessional and if no one tells you, then I will. Take diversity training, please!
Josephine, I'm not sure you read carefully. James said that the two students who were arrested had the pills in their possession. Clearly illegal. He never once mentioned names or any other identifying factor so he handed the description very professionally in my opinion. He is simply sharing his experience so give him a break!
DeleteSecondly, calling a student a Mexican, if indeed he is in fact of Mexican descent, is neither politically incorrect nor racist. He is simply identifying the student by his nationality. You are assuming that he is using the term "Mexican" in a derogatory sense. Would it be wrong to call a student from Puerto Rico "Puerto Rican?"
Before you start attacking others publicly, please take time to read carefully. You may find that your initial reactions are misguided and hasty.
Jared: You don't know what you are talking about!!! Clearly!!!School law is different than criminal law.
DeleteWhy must you qualify his ethnicity or nationality? My ancestors are from Spain and Mexico, that does not make me a Mexican!! I am an American. You also need diversity training!
A student is a student...does not matter where he or his ancestors came from!! Before you become a principal, take some additional training in what makes a principal a GREAT principal!
Wow! I have never wanted to be a principal and am not sure how I ended up in this program getting a principal certification. All I really wanted was an instructional technology masters. I am however glad I am in this course now. The job of principal is really hard and this course is giving me a new appreciation for the job.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great. I really enjoyed it and it confirms my feelings of never becoming a principal. I love my students and think I'll stay in the classroom.
James, what a great opportunity to get to experience the life of an administrator for a few days. I appreciate you sharing this experience with us. It is interesting to note how varied the tasks were and how difficult those tasks must have been. How different from the normal, almost mundane at times, routine of a classroom teacher.
ReplyDeleteSounds crazy to mee, thank goodness is not that bad in elementary,!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have had a wonderful opportunity to get great insight into what your daily life will be like! =)
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming you work at a middle or high school, however I would not be surprised if something like that happened on an elementary campus. I teach on an elementary campus and we have students that are one step away from being taken off campus in cuffs as well. =(
Breaks my heart that kids can get their hands on some of the things they can and give them to other students as well.
I enjoyed reading your blog!