One last tales from the trenches: substitute teacher in a kilt

**CameronTaylor** · 27th October 06, 05:32 PM

Yo Big A, a truly inspiring story. You rock.

CT -

**Alan H** · 27th October 06, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kelson

Alan, you probably love serving as a subsitute, but it really seems such a lose that the district can't use you in a capacity to help other teachers to relate to their students in the way you do. But I suspect what you do comes from the soul and I'm not sure that can be taught. Even if you were able to, how can a teacher be successful when confronted with a classroom bursting at the seams with some students sitting on the floor.

I had a learning handicapped "study hall" day the other day and we got word that one kid wasn't going to be there because he'd been caught doing some god-Awful thing and was in all-day on-campus suspension.

I can just imagine how utterly boring and awful that must be. So when I had a free period I went to his algebra class to get his homework and pick up a book and take it to him so he'd have SOMETHING to do (and would actually get some algebra done) instead of sitting there lookiing at a blank wall all day.

That algebra class wasn't actually "algebra:...No, it was called "Algebra Support Class". You know what th ekids called it while I was there? Algebra for the Stupid/

They knew. You know how many kids were in that class with ONE teacher and no aide?

47.

That teacher has NO chance. He's spenidng all his time trying to keep them quiet because the hellraisers in the back of the class simply will NOT shut up and will NOT let the class make any progress. I stood next to two girls who spent the entire class period doing their homework for that night.

....and the next night, and the next night....because they were so bored.

Those girls rolled their eyes at the antics of the noisemakers and it just KILLED me to see them condemned to the self-esteem HELL of Algebra for the Stupid because......because....

their ENGLISH skills were a little under standard-level.

But what can the teacher do? He's got a mandate fromt he district to get as many of those kids "through" algebra as he can so that the District doesn't lose money from the State. So the ones who can really perform get screwed...they're bored to tears and nothing kills motivation like boredom.

At the same time, there are six or eight kids in there who might make it, but can't get any help because the five attention-grabbers and immature twits who never stop disrupting class, make the place total chaos. This is one of those situations where four-five kids ruin the system for everyone else, but the resources aren't there to pull them out and give the other kids a chance.

47 kids in an algebra class? 47 kids in a REMEDIAL Algebra class?

It's insane, and that guy is a hero for doing the best he can in a totally impossible situation, and getting as many kids as he can to learn how to graph a linear equation..

**Alan H** · 27th October 06, 05:42 PM

At the same time, there are six or eight kids in there who might make it, but can't get any help because the five attention-grabbers and immature twits who never stop disrupting class, make the place total chaos. This is one of those situations where four-five kids ruin the system for everyone else, but the resources aren't there to pull them out and give the other kids a chance.

By the way, when I'm in a class like that, I just throw the five kids out and let them take a chance with the hall monitors. If they get caught and get suspended, too bad. I don't have time for the ones who can't be bothered to treat others with enough respect that allows others to learn.
I tell classes over and over again. "I'm here today, so we're doing things MY way. If you don't want to do any work in class today, that's your business. Put your head down, read something else, cut out pictures, I don't care.

But if you PREVENT SOMEONE ELSE from doing work, then I will throw you out of class so fast so you won't know what hit you.

Some kids hear that, some don't. The ones that don't....too bad.

**bubba** · 27th October 06, 05:50 PM

Alan, I have to say I admire what you're doing with kids. You and others like you are a national treasure. I support what you do with the troublemakers and think every class should be run that way. The disrupters should never be allowed to remain in a class disturbing those that want to learn.

**Eujeankilt** · 27th October 06, 05:59 PM

Kudos to you Alan.

Your beginning post brought a tear to my eye. I have only taught a few community college classes, but when you connect with a student or a group of students, it's impossible to describe. People don't teach for the money, prestiege or the easy work - none of those exist. It's thankless, gruelling and the restrictions from above almost kill you, but when you connect - it's all worthwhile. Thanks for all of your stories.

Dale

**Troy** · 27th October 06, 07:49 PM

Alan,

There's little more that I can say other than that I found your story incredibly moving and inspirational - I imagine that I am not the only person on this forum who was moved to tears.

I will be remembering what you said about respect, unity and brotherhood as I take my wife & kids to our first Highland Gathering tomorrow (which happens to be our wedding anniversary).

Thankyou so much for sharing your story with us, and keep up the wonderful work.

Regards,

Troy

**Riverkilt** · 27th October 06, 10:23 PM

Well done sir. You've made a difference in the trenches.

Was at our local high school kilted myself today to present to two classes of "hard cases." Went well, kilts weren't an issue. Walking across campus there were many spontaneous compliments - particularlly from the young men. Go figure.

Might have been because I was wearing my Cameron Black and Red which is the Page High School colors and it was game day....

Ron

**David Dalglish** · 28th October 06, 12:24 AM

A very moving story Alan, well done to you

**Matthew Siegmann** · 28th October 06, 06:27 AM

I'm glad you shared with us Alen. I remember what school was like for me and it's sad what "normal" kids can do for a class... I've had teachers that cared and got through... my 12th grade english teacher was "old school" had taught for 35 years and also threw people out... granted he only had to do that on the first day, however half the teachers I had were just so jaded with the bad kids that I think the more or less felt they couldn't make much of a difference anymore... it's a wonder some of them still teach. I always felt bad for my teachers when we had jerks in class that couldn't behave. Kudos to you.

On another note, I have a belted plaid and I wear it on occasion and love it. It's a little warm in summer so I roll to top part up behind me. I get people ask me about it all the time and they seem very interested when I explain to them what it is and, to the best of my limited knowledge, the origins. I too explain to them about my clan plaid and clan, Clan Keith, and the significance of the clan and such. And of course you can't go anywhere without a girl asking what's underneath. What's funny is they come up to me all shy and obeviously thinking that they might offend me with the question but their quriosity is overpowering the that fear.

It's interesting how one garment can bare forth so much information.