HONEY, SWEETIE, "MIJO/A"

What do you make of the words?  Are the words appropriate to use with students? Can a teacher use this words of endearment with students? Should they be banned from using them?

I heard a teacher at my friend's school got suspended from work for using a word like that.  I heard and understand teachers are not supposed to hug a student, but what about a female teacher with a female student who is crying and in need of a hug? A few years ago the school that created Small Learning Communities (SLC) were all about the rapport the teachers had to build with students, personalization and relationship building.  Is hugging in this environment okay?  What about calling students the words aforementioned?  I am confused and worried; I occasionally use the word mija/o, more towards females, as it is a term of endearment for me and I believe many Latinos.  What are your thoughts?  What are the policies at your school?

FLABBERGASTED

One of my colleagues came to see me to talk.  She asked if I had a few minutes to spare, that she really needed to speak to me, and she would really appreciate if I could make some time.  I made time as I could see that she was upset.  She asked if I knew this students, named a young man I am familiar with as he is consistently getting in trouble.  She continued with her story and said she needed to report the incident she had experienced and asked to borrow a pen, she began sharing as she began writing her story.  She told me she stays in her room after-school correcting student work for she rather correct work in the class than have to take it home.  That on occasion some student would stop by her room and say hello or come in to chat with her.  On this particular day this young man came in and asked her what she would get him for his birthday.  She asked him when was his birthday and he replied tomorrow.  He asked her again what she would get him for his birthday, and then grabbed his crutch and told her she should be his "*&*&^%$".  She was flabbergasted, I was shocked.  That was not the end of the story, she said he told her she would like them. 

She continued writing and said that she had never been disrespected like that ever.  That they young man walked out and ran down the hallway.  She tried calling the office but no one was answering.  She came down and found me.  She was really upset and continued writing.  She said she hoped the student did not return to her class.  She said that she had never experienced something like that and that coming from a young man, one of her students, she could not understand.

How can this be acceptable?  Our campus does not suspend students and there are only a couple of weeks left of school.  What is going to happen to the student?  What should be done?  Will he be allowed to return to her class? Should he? 

ENTITLEMENT?

The dictionary definition: to give somebody the right to have or to do something. 

 Today, I heard a student say that teachers need to learn to respect students if they want to get respected. What happen to respecting adults?  Why is it that teenagers feel they are entitled to disrespecting adults?  Why is it that teenagers feel that they are entitled to having a cell phone and speaking on the phone when ever they feel?  When did policies change and if they did why did they change?  Is it too much to ask that students give teachers their undivided attention?  Or is it that their teenage social life is more important that their education?  Can anyone please shed some light on these questions that have me purplexed?  I can not understand why parents would allow their children who are failing, consistently miss school, and have no respect for adults, have the priveledge of owing a cell phone.  Is it that I am too old and am not keeping up with the times?  

Does it get easier?

As I sit here and contemplate on how my students reading scores went down, I ask myself.  Does it get easier?  I spend a lot of time doing my homework, no sleep, no rest, no play.  Do students feel that they will learn by osmosis?  Don't they realize that it does not get easier, or at least that is what I have seen, unless you are a millionaire and have no worries in your life.  It does not get easier, that is my opinion.  We have to work harder, study more, work more, study harder, work and study more, and work and study harder.  Especially, as you get older, take advantage of your youth, the ability to learn faster, remember quicker, and memorize easier, don't let your age catch up to you.

 I remember a wise man once told me, "...you can never get time back." Take advantage of your time and work as hard as you can NOW that you can, then it may get easier.

Values

I remember driving into a city in the Los Angeles area and reading a sign that said, "Welcome to _____ where times change but values don't."  So true, I thought.  As I reflect on my daily encounters with different people, young and old, I can not help but remember that quote.  I understand that times have change, and have they, but I do no understand why our values have.  Yes, technology has allowed us many freedoms that we would not be able to do like talk on the phone, but that does not mean that we have to stop respecting others.  Although, now there is a Law, yes we need a law, that states that talking on the phone is not permitted, I still see many people driving and talking or texting with no regard to others driving in the same road and their safety. For young people, students in particular, the cell phone are more valuable than their education.  The majority would rather be on the phone, texting and chatting than paying attention to the teacher.  When did this become the focus? 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is approaching and even though I am happy as I will be celebrated and many other mothers like me, this day brings a lot of sadness.  My mother past away ten years ago, and I miss her very much.  As years go by I have to say that my nostalgia gets stronger and deeper.  I miss her greatly, my daughter misses her also. Oh, is it hard! I can only ask those whose mother is still alive to take care of her and appreciate all the moments you have with her.  Do not quarrel over nonsense and make every minute special.  Without her it will be different.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!  I love you and miss you very much.