"You making me fusterated..."

So last week one of my students said this, as I was asking him to take notes. This is the same boy who has about 20% use of his left arm and walks with a limp due to physical handicaps since birth and also as a result of an accident a few years prior. It takes much effort for him to copy notes and as I erased something he stated, "You making me fusterated..."!

Now after an extremely long day at work I've felt like screaming those words about 50 times today! I'm fed up with the injustice that goes on in this district. I struggle between the balance of writing the joys and inspiring moments here and then the contrast of such difficulties. BUT I desire to speak truth and know that if I were face to face with some of you I'd share it - so here goes. Stop now if you don't want to hear the truth!

So 5 weeks into school, after the big hurrah where 2 news stations showed up to video the ribbon cutting ceremony of the "first day" of the new district school WE STILL DON'T HAVE LITERACY TEXTBOOKS. Then I found out that the probably reason for that is the school district failed to pay a prior bill to this company. I find it infuriating that not only does the school district get praised for their new school but they fail to ever experience the day to day struggle of teaching in overcrowded classrooms with no materials.

School district initiative: lower class size.

What does the brand new school bring? The district budgeted for 800 students, 35 of them special ed. We are now at 950 students with classes of 33-35 students (after adding three more classes just this week). We have 100+ special ed. students which leaves us all maxed out on caseloads and with more students than we can possibly service. We are still waiting on 2 more special ed. teachers - unsure if we will even get them. Many of the grades are sharing textbooks in all subjects which 6th grade has yet to receive ANY literacy materials. We don't have calculators, not even for our special ed. students. We scraping together all desks and chairs because we don't have ANY extra. When classes switch if one is bigger than the other they take their chairs with them.

Where are the cameras now?

In saying all of this I desire not to get your sympathy. I desire for people to know what injustices these kids are facing. Bottom line - it's not fair and if it happened 20 miles outside the city ... well it just wouldn't happen there. My reason for speaking out is to seek prayer. My heart and soul are exhausted! I desire to do all I can for these kids and this school but to find a balance with resting. Praise God for amazing roomates, friends, family and church body. Pray that Jesus reign over this school and that a revolution take place in this district.

I am fusterated...

Update

Hey all!

Just wanted to send a quick update so you all know that today I officially am a Spec. Ed. teacher again! I sat with the Asst. Principal and we rerostered the students so I will be able to service them more efficiently! Thanks for your love and prayers as I've been working the last month! AND...I really hope that next week I can begin pairing my students up with their support buddies! I CAN'T WAIT! I will send a picture along with the first letter they send so thank you thank you again and hopefully within the next two weeks we'll be able to send out a letter! It's about time! :)