27 posts from 2008

Uniting the movement.....From one of the dissed 40

Dec 26, 2008
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Response to Justice Amutah and poet laureate Bland,

I also think there is something to be said for having a more "home-grown" MTC movement. No change will be made without people directly invested in the success of the state working hard to achieve that. This would produce more teachers who could really work to implement long term change in Mississippi's school systems; instead of just raging northern-liberals who dislike what they see in the schools, blog about it, and then return to their normal life.

Still, I think their might be something that we are missing out on when we seek to limit ourselves to a homegrown system of change. Maybe I have been reading to much about the civil rights movement, freedom summer and the effects of this movement.

In 1962 6.7% of black Mississippians were registered to vote. In 1964 thousands of northern raging liberals descended on dixie. In 10-weeks 30 churches were burned, over 1000 civil rights workers were arrested and four were killed.

Also 80,000 blacks were registered to vote and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was formed. One year later the 1965 Voting rights act was passed making it the responsibility of the federal government to oversee that tactics used to deny blacks from voting were outlawed.

Did SNCC, NAACP and CORE alone cause these changes? No. They came in at an opportune time and used their manpower to unite a group already desperate to change and fighting to make this happen. This change would have occurred eventually, but the help of outsiders hastened the change.

Did it help that Goodman and Schwerner were two white northerners? Unfortunately, their murders elicited much more national response then Medgar Evers assassination, or the murder of Chaney alone would have.

Does MTC have to many raging northern (white) liberals? I would say yes, but only because we have these at the expense of more Mississippians who know their state and will see the change through.

Do we need more specifically black teachers in MTC? I think so, but I do not see this problem as big as the need to unite an outside cause with a homegrown movement.

From my experience the white teacher is necessary to break down the racial barrier that still exists in the many segregated areas of Mississippi. Of my 170 students one is white. Most of my black kids have no white friends and can only rely on what they hear from their friends, their family, what they learn in school, or their interactions with me. This is probably one of the only opportunities many of my kids will get to discuss racial issues with a white person. Hopefully, this can inspire in a way that is different, but still meaningful, than what the black teacher can provide.

Mississippi education will not change without a fight from within, but why deny help from the outside?

Why you should join MTC.....

Dec 11, 2008
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You love hearing your kids quote Gucci Mane "all white bricks" as they enter class each day.

You thrive on little sleep, hard work, and a school system which thrives on complacency.

You get your kids to burn you Wayne's mix tape dedication III.

You get to take your kids home from basketball practice in the rain at 9.

You discuss the problems of the world with your kids and the smart, interested ones ask " Coach Schewel, is it true that all the brown skinned people who work at gas stations are going to get together soon and blow up the U.S."

You get to decide how you answer that question.

You get to motivate your kids to boycott, protest and stand up for their rights.

You laugh as they decide to boycott your writing assignments.

You get to coach a dedicated group of kids who have never had a coach who knew anything about the sport they were playing.

You cry when your school district only schedules your team 2 games in the first two months of the season.

You get to spray air freshener in your class every day after 5th block...

You get to talk to your kids about the joys of hygiene.

You get to tell your kids you played on UNC's National Championship team.

You get to listen as 5 girls in one class tell you they are having female problems and need to use the restroom.

You get to confiscate "365 positions of the day"........

You get sick to your stomach.

Mr. Man, Coach Screwel, Mr. Schedul.....First Semester

Dec 6, 2008
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First semester has been a good one overall. I have learned what I have to do to make myself happy, while keeping the administration happy. This is usually not very hard as it amounts to assuring, not that my class is calm and learning, but only that my class is not contributing to the chaos in the hallway. This is somewhat disappointing to me, but I am not in the position to change the expectations of the school. Therefore, it is up to me to make sure my kids are disciplined, show respect, and learn everyday. In the end these are things that should be expected of every teacher, but coming into teaching I never considered how important administrative support would be. At the start of your teaching career the administration might be the single most important factor in determining your success. Eventually you learn to control your classroom without this support, but it can make your life infinitely easier.

My only concern with my first semester is my energy level. I routinely wake up tired and after a day of teaching, coaching and then tutoring it is easy to see why. This is not to upsetting to me because I enjoy having things to do, but sometimes I feel as if I am on cruise control and not as effective as I could be. I guess this is to be expected in the life of a first year teacher.

The good things in school truly keep me excited and going every day. Chris “Newby” Franklin, Alonzo Howlett, and Keithtavius Johnson coming into my classroom almost every class period begging me to let them stay in my class. All my smart boys and girls who complete their work without being asked twice and even seem genuinely interested in it. All my not as smart kids who might need to be asked twice, but still put in their full effort, answer questions, and tell the kids who talk to much to shut up. My hilarious kids who are usually talking about something they should not be, but always make me laugh at least once a class. Randy W. who eats six jolly ranchers at lunch then stares into space all class and swears he only likes fat girls.

Success Story

Nov 9, 2008
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I have learned to appreciate successes that coming in I would probably have just taken as an expectation. That being said I present the.....

List of Successes.

1. It is Nov. 9th and I am prepared to teach on monday.

2. The 9th grade principal, who it often seems runs the school, has developed a good relationship with me and even introduced me to a JPS school board member on monday.

3. The head principal, who I rarely speak to, told me on friday that he was excited for the Girls soccer season to begin.

4. I was observed by Ron Sellers, this might not seem like a success to most, but it was the first time I had been observed for longer then 15 minutes (which occurred once).

5. I gave my lackadaisical 2nd period a pop quiz in the middle of class friday, which kept them on task for the rest of class.

6. I have not had a fight in my class all year.....yet.

7. Most of my kids are passing my class, although I do think my class has been to easy, most of them do the work everyday.

8. I am excited for two end of year projects I will be doing.

9. My kids constantly complain about having to learn to much.

Coach Hodo

Oct 30, 2008
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Coach Hodo is undoubtedly the best friend I have at Murrah ( of course not counting the one and only Mr. Morrissey). Hodo teaches World Geography next to me, is 25 years old, and was born in Indianola. Hodo played football and baseball at Delta state were the black population is about 8%.

Having the privilege of switching loads at the semester, Hodo and I share alot. The two largest loads in the school, over half of the 550 Ninth graders at Murrah, and an appreciation of crazy kids.

Hodo helps me out in this aspect alot. He never once has complained about his load, and almost seems to relish in having such large classes, were the kids sit on his desk. Anytime I have a question or concern I go to him and I usually get a straight answer.

I would like to point out that I met a teacher last night at the soccer rules meeting for MHSAA who taught 9th grade ms studies in a neighboring district to 5 classes of 82 kids. I now can tell you one thing wrong with the educational system.

My Dreams are devastated....

Oct 18, 2008
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Soccer cuts were on friday. I was not quite sure how the girls would take it so I just treated it as I would if they were a boys team (as I have been for the most part all along). Ex. girls routinely fall, because it is a contact sport, and I keep playing. I then get yelled at by the rest of the team for not being concerned about the injured girl. Oh well.

So I put up the list of girls who made it in the office. I felt good about the list. We had about a month and a half of conditioning and think I gave every girl who came out a fair look.

Between first and second period I am approached by girl 1. "Coach Schewel, my dreams are devastated"

Me: Um

Girl 1: "Really, all i cared about in life was soccer and coldplay".

Me: Well...

Girl 1: So does this mean I can't come out anymore.

Me: No, you can be on the developmental team

Girl 1: No I want to be manager.

Me: We will see.

I had three conversations similar to this. Then came the parent calls.

Parent 1: Coach Schewel my daughter came out to all of your practices...I brought her to every one.

Me: Well, I am sorry but we had quite a few returning players and limited space for new players.

Parent 1: What! Are you running a state championship program or something, did you win the conference last year? I was under the impression that you had a losing season last year. Dont you want girls who are quick, agile and fast?

Me: M'am I was actually not the coach last year, and they did have a losing season, but it still helps to be an experienced soccer player. I do want fast, agile players and I told the players I was having a developmental team so if she wants she can be on that.

Parent 1: Madison Central keeps 35 players, why cant you?

Me: Well Ma'am only 11 people play on the field at once, if I was to do that we would have 24 players sitting on the bench.

Just ordered my Mustangs coach Jacket, cant wait for the season to start.

Managing while teaching

Oct 18, 2008
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While my class sizes have dropped since the beginning of the year. My load remains large (172....down from 200ish) and classroom management is still a problem. The main problem I have (other then the occasional chaotic class) is holding every student accountable (as well as awake) in a class of 30.

I have definitely found a rhythm that works for me in the class. This usually consists of notes (to calm the masses), lecture/question and answer/ class discussion, primary or secondary source reading with questions, youtube clip, journal/thought piece/ dialogue (some type of formal assessment). In a majority of classes this has worked for a majority of students. Still, I feel like I am losing some students I could be reaching. However, when I stray from this comfort zone it often ends up in confusion and controlled chaos. I have found some activities that work better (from experimentation) and I am working on implementing them more often.

Surprisingly, I have actually used my classroom management plan from the summer. After about the first week and a half of school I started regularly giving out writing assignments and they have made my life a lot easier. On my good days I start every class with, "start the Do Now, you know the deal its going to be warning, writing assignment, detention. I rarely give out detentions (mostly because kids rarely show up) unless someone fails to turn in a writing assignment. This is when it gets hairy. I do not usually like to write up kids unless I am forced to. I have found that the administration has so many discipline problems to deal with (especially on the 9th grade wing), that unless it is something egregious, or the administration has been itching to suspend a kids, they won't do much. Sometimes I am wrong, but I will have to experiment a little more to see what works best.

Next semester I will be ready. I will be all over them from the beginning. It is hard at first to know what to punish when you don't truly know what you want or what to expect.

Perspective on teaching

Oct 11, 2008
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My perspective on teaching is one of love. Loving my kids. Loving what I teach about. Loving my administrators*.

This perspective has worked relatively well. The kids need as much love as you can give them. Many days during my planning period I feel as if I am running a Teacher Support Team in my classroom. This is okay with me because it is aligned with my teaching perspective of love. This perspective is not always fulfilled as many kids I cannot love. Try as I may, they will not accept it. This is okay, the other 171 kids need it.

It is also hard to always love what I teach. This may have something to do with the fact that I have lived in NC all my life, and I am now teaching MS Studies. The good thing about MS studies is that it is not state tested so I have the freedom to focus on things that I enjoy teaching.

I feel that as long as the kids are engaged in learning and I am enjoying myself I am succeeding.

Church Ball

Oct 11, 2008
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I honestly do not think I learned much from the Ruby Payne book. What was informative was the section on how to speak to kids in a tone, which empowers them to make responsible decisions. I do think that this strategy works better then an over authoritarian discipline of kids.

As far as poverty goes Jackson has it. This does not always show up at school when kids tend to be dressed in their best. Although it is ever present in the lunch room where 97% of the kids receive free or reduced lunch.

Then there are the days when Jackson appears to be a third world country. I experienced this last Wednesday when I went to tutor at a local church. A good amount of my kids were there and we ate, learned and played basketball. I was completely in my element and had a great time.

But their gym was probably in the worst condition of any gym I have played in. Tiles were coming off of the floor almost everywhere. The middle of the court was raised 4 inches from the other side and we had two balls for twenty-five kids. Still, these kids had a blast.

How I became a Social Worker....or social studies teacher

Oct 9, 2008
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I became a teacher because I enjoy helping kids, encouraging them to be better people, and achieve their goals. I also enjoy dispelling myths, discriminatory ideas, and just plain crazy thoughts ninth graders have in their heads.

More specifically I think it is an essential part of society to discuss, and be informed about what is happening in the world, how it got to be this way, and what we can do to make it better. Social Studies is undoubtedly the best outlet I could find to directly expand and effect the way kids think and understand what is going on in the world. Without Science and Math our society would never advance or grow, but Social studies is where we discuss how to use all of the assets we have at our disposal. It is my blind ambition to influence a generation of open minded, thoughtful, and conscientious young people; who are inspired by the idea of social change (bettering the society they live in).

100% of my kids are supporting Barack Obama but 5% have a reason why (other then he is black, or he will bring change). As a social studies teacher I feel it is my duty to expose them to the resources necessary to make an educated decision of who they would vote for. Atleast now I feel a slight tinge of success when I ask my students why the support Barack Obama and they tell me, "because he cutting taxes for the middle class more then McCain".

It is so important for these kids to learn about the society they live in, as well as the world around them. Last week one of my favorite students (and one of my best) asked, "coach Schewel, is it true that all the brown skinned people who work at gas stations are going to get together soon and bomb the United States". I love questions like this. I could go into a discussion of the difference between Muslims, Pakistani's, Indians, and terrorists. Or the fact that gas stations are not the only place these people can be found. Or that a majority of the Islamic world are not terrorists, and do not support terrorist actions. Wherever it goes it makes me happy to be a Social Studies teacher.