Body Odor
One day when I was younger, in my mid-teens, I realized I had a funky underarm smell. I had been playing all day and it suddenly hit me. And, of course, over the years there have been times when I'd forget to put on some deodorant, or would be sweaty, and realize I had B.O. (body odor). I'd run to the bathroom, and wash my armpits with a little soap and water, and if I had a deodrant stashed nearby, I'd put some on. This doesn't always solve the problem (your clothes may have picked up the smell), but it does help.
Sometimes I come across someone who reeks, just REEKS, of B.O. Sometimes it's not even B.O., and I'm scared to even imagine what it might be. Today, I walked by someone who stank like vomit with an underlying B.O. smell. A "combo" if you will. Did this person not realize they smelled? Did it happen on the way to school? Did no one around them at least mention it? There's a bathroom nearby, why not go "freshen up"?
I have a friend who once smelled so bad, he wasn't just funky, he KICKED. And the funny thing was, he didn't realize it. He thought I was making fun of him. Other friends also brought it up, and he then thought we were "all in on it".
ADVICE: If someone tells you that you smell, even if you think it's a joke, just "freshen up" anyway.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
"No, Mama." "Yes, Papi."
Why is it that when someone realizes that you speak Spanish, they throw in "Mama", "Mami" or "Papi" into the conversation? I get, and see, a lot of that. "No, Mama, you can't do that. This is how you do it." And non-Spanish speaking people will throw in an Spanish accent. I know this guy who has a heavy accent (not Spanish), and when he says "Mami", he throws in this HEAVY Spanish accent. Even Spanish speaking people will quickly switch accents in mid-sentence. I'm not sure if they're trying to relate, or make a connection, or if they feel they "need to". But sometimes it feels a bit awkward.
Better yet, is when a "non-native" speaker suddenly talks in Spanish in mid-conversation. "So I went to see that new movie I was telling you about, and it was EXCELLENT. But I didn't like the actress. She's... I don't know, too tall or something. Tu sabes? Maybe someone shorter would have been better. Me entiendes? Algien mas bonita."
Just because I speak Spanish, and you have some knowledge of it, doesn't mean you should/could speak it.
Why is it that when someone realizes that you speak Spanish, they throw in "Mama", "Mami" or "Papi" into the conversation? I get, and see, a lot of that. "No, Mama, you can't do that. This is how you do it." And non-Spanish speaking people will throw in an Spanish accent. I know this guy who has a heavy accent (not Spanish), and when he says "Mami", he throws in this HEAVY Spanish accent. Even Spanish speaking people will quickly switch accents in mid-sentence. I'm not sure if they're trying to relate, or make a connection, or if they feel they "need to". But sometimes it feels a bit awkward.
Better yet, is when a "non-native" speaker suddenly talks in Spanish in mid-conversation. "So I went to see that new movie I was telling you about, and it was EXCELLENT. But I didn't like the actress. She's... I don't know, too tall or something. Tu sabes? Maybe someone shorter would have been better. Me entiendes? Algien mas bonita."
Just because I speak Spanish, and you have some knowledge of it, doesn't mean you should/could speak it.
Monday, July 19, 2004
"It's just a practice test!"
Why do we always have to prove steroetypes to be true? Today I was covering for another teacher, I didn't have to teach anything, just give them a practice exam. Again, a PRACTICE exam. I overheard a few talking about "sharing" their answers. I reminded them that it's just a practice exam, and that the score doesn't really affect them, because it's just a practice for the real test. I also told them that it would help them build confidence.
But sure enough, I caught a couple sharing answers. "I was just helping her understand this question." Riiiiiight.
Why do we always have to prove steroetypes to be true? Today I was covering for another teacher, I didn't have to teach anything, just give them a practice exam. Again, a PRACTICE exam. I overheard a few talking about "sharing" their answers. I reminded them that it's just a practice exam, and that the score doesn't really affect them, because it's just a practice for the real test. I also told them that it would help them build confidence.
But sure enough, I caught a couple sharing answers. "I was just helping her understand this question." Riiiiiight.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
At least make an effort
One thing that really bothers me, is after I tell my students the rules and they don't even make an effort while breaking them. Like most computer labs in the world, eating and drinking isn't allowed at the computers. After I told everyone, I know a few might have either forgotten or maybe it just slipped their mind.
The other day, I see someone drinking from a soda bottle and eating chips, I remind her of the rules. She closes her bottle and puts it in her bag, and closes a shopping bag where she had her chips. Not three minutes later, she's eating and drinking again! And it's obvious, because I can hear the fizz of the soda as she opens the bottle, I can hear the crinkling of the bag as she opens it to get another chip, and I can OBVIOUSLY hear the crunch as she's eating the chip. Especially since I'm helping someone RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. So I turn around and remind her that it's not allowed. She says "Oh, sorry." in way that would have seemed sincere if I hadn't just reminded her THREE MINUTES AGO.
Then, not even five minutes after that, I hear those familiar sounds again. Crinkle, crinkle.. Crunch, crunch.. Fsssss.. I was a bit shocked at her boldness. So I again, remind her, this time I add "Damn, at least make an effort to hide it from me." She replied "What do you mean?" Hmmm? What could I have meant by that? I MUST have meant for her to continue eating, but to make sure I couldn't see the Pringles can she was eating from, because not five minutes later she was eating again. I had to tell her to put the bag away, and put her soda on the table at the front of the class, "to avoid temptation". She actually griped about "being treated like a baby." Amazing, simply amazing.
Another gripe I have is when someone is watching a music video on the internet with the volume all the way up. Isn't it obvious that other people can hear it? Especially after I asked you to turn it off. Or how about when, in the middle of class, the student is listening to the music, which I can also hear, and then starts dancing in her seat. And then turns to the student next to her to say "This is my song!", and she says it loud because she's wearing headphones and listening to loud music.
Seriously, if you're going to break a rule, at least make an effort. It only makes you look VERY foolish.
One thing that really bothers me, is after I tell my students the rules and they don't even make an effort while breaking them. Like most computer labs in the world, eating and drinking isn't allowed at the computers. After I told everyone, I know a few might have either forgotten or maybe it just slipped their mind.
The other day, I see someone drinking from a soda bottle and eating chips, I remind her of the rules. She closes her bottle and puts it in her bag, and closes a shopping bag where she had her chips. Not three minutes later, she's eating and drinking again! And it's obvious, because I can hear the fizz of the soda as she opens the bottle, I can hear the crinkling of the bag as she opens it to get another chip, and I can OBVIOUSLY hear the crunch as she's eating the chip. Especially since I'm helping someone RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. So I turn around and remind her that it's not allowed. She says "Oh, sorry." in way that would have seemed sincere if I hadn't just reminded her THREE MINUTES AGO.
Then, not even five minutes after that, I hear those familiar sounds again. Crinkle, crinkle.. Crunch, crunch.. Fsssss.. I was a bit shocked at her boldness. So I again, remind her, this time I add "Damn, at least make an effort to hide it from me." She replied "What do you mean?" Hmmm? What could I have meant by that? I MUST have meant for her to continue eating, but to make sure I couldn't see the Pringles can she was eating from, because not five minutes later she was eating again. I had to tell her to put the bag away, and put her soda on the table at the front of the class, "to avoid temptation". She actually griped about "being treated like a baby." Amazing, simply amazing.
Another gripe I have is when someone is watching a music video on the internet with the volume all the way up. Isn't it obvious that other people can hear it? Especially after I asked you to turn it off. Or how about when, in the middle of class, the student is listening to the music, which I can also hear, and then starts dancing in her seat. And then turns to the student next to her to say "This is my song!", and she says it loud because she's wearing headphones and listening to loud music.
Seriously, if you're going to break a rule, at least make an effort. It only makes you look VERY foolish.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
WHAT THE? HUH!
This happened the other day... It was the end of the day, and one of the students (let's call her "Dizzy") had just left the classroom, when she suddenly came back in looking confused. "How do I get out of here?" I wasn't sure what she meant. I thought she might be joking. Another student sardonically asked her, "Remember how you got in here? Then go out the same way." Dizzy was STILL confused. She really didn't know how to get out.
Now Dizzy is a student who has a high school diploma, so she isn't uneducated. She must have learned how to perform reverse logical operations. I was amazed, just... amazed.
I said to her, "Well, you have two options. The ground floor will leave you on X Street, and another floor will leave you on Y Street." She replied "No I don't want to go to Y Street." Then stared at me for a while, and asked "Well how do I get to X Street?" I said "I just told you." Dizzy replied "But you said there's a floor that goes to Y Street." "And right before that, I said the ground floor leaves you on X Street." I explained. Then she said "Are you sure? Because you said Y Street the first time."
The other student, who was working on something, jumped in "No, he said the ground floor, I heard him. Just go to the ground floor. That way." and pointed to the elevator. Dizzy, somehow still not sure, pointed in the SAME direction and asked "This way?" The other student said "Yes. That way." After Dizzy left, she said, "She always like that. She does her classwork, but for everyday things, she's always like... dumb." I didn't want to agree, so I just didn't say anything. I couldn't disagree.
This happened the other day... It was the end of the day, and one of the students (let's call her "Dizzy") had just left the classroom, when she suddenly came back in looking confused. "How do I get out of here?" I wasn't sure what she meant. I thought she might be joking. Another student sardonically asked her, "Remember how you got in here? Then go out the same way." Dizzy was STILL confused. She really didn't know how to get out.
Now Dizzy is a student who has a high school diploma, so she isn't uneducated. She must have learned how to perform reverse logical operations. I was amazed, just... amazed.
I said to her, "Well, you have two options. The ground floor will leave you on X Street, and another floor will leave you on Y Street." She replied "No I don't want to go to Y Street." Then stared at me for a while, and asked "Well how do I get to X Street?" I said "I just told you." Dizzy replied "But you said there's a floor that goes to Y Street." "And right before that, I said the ground floor leaves you on X Street." I explained. Then she said "Are you sure? Because you said Y Street the first time."
The other student, who was working on something, jumped in "No, he said the ground floor, I heard him. Just go to the ground floor. That way." and pointed to the elevator. Dizzy, somehow still not sure, pointed in the SAME direction and asked "This way?" The other student said "Yes. That way." After Dizzy left, she said, "She always like that. She does her classwork, but for everyday things, she's always like... dumb." I didn't want to agree, so I just didn't say anything. I couldn't disagree.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
"....ooookay."
What do you say when someone, in what's supposed to be a professional setting, tells you something a little too personal? A student asked me for advice on whether to change her phone number. It turns out her boyfriend/husband was away and is coming home, and she'd been unfaithful during his absence. Now she's worried this "new guy" might keep calling.
She was a bit more detailed in telling me her story. Again, I'm not all innocent and naive, but in a professional situation, you're not your usual "casual self".
I was a little shocked, and when I realized I may have been quiet for a half second too long when she said "Oh, I'm sorry, did I shock you? It's just that I don't want any drama."
What do you say when someone, in what's supposed to be a professional setting, tells you something a little too personal? A student asked me for advice on whether to change her phone number. It turns out her boyfriend/husband was away and is coming home, and she'd been unfaithful during his absence. Now she's worried this "new guy" might keep calling.
She was a bit more detailed in telling me her story. Again, I'm not all innocent and naive, but in a professional situation, you're not your usual "casual self".
I was a little shocked, and when I realized I may have been quiet for a half second too long when she said "Oh, I'm sorry, did I shock you? It's just that I don't want any drama."
Monday, June 14, 2004
"But we have class"
Like 99.5% of all students out there, my students usually like to leave early from classes.... except my class, of course. But today, although they still had one more class to go, I mistakenly told them that they were "done for the day" (after my class).
They complained! "But we have one more class!" "We can't go." "I don't want to cut class!" And then stayed in my classroom until the very last minute!
It was like reverse-psychology/stepford wives experiment gone wrong. Almost like they were doing it on purpose to mess with my mind.
The, in their next class, the teacher told me that they were complaining about the day being long and wanted to leave early. I guess whatever drug affected them wore off.
Like 99.5% of all students out there, my students usually like to leave early from classes.... except my class, of course. But today, although they still had one more class to go, I mistakenly told them that they were "done for the day" (after my class).
They complained! "But we have one more class!" "We can't go." "I don't want to cut class!" And then stayed in my classroom until the very last minute!
It was like reverse-psychology/stepford wives experiment gone wrong. Almost like they were doing it on purpose to mess with my mind.
The, in their next class, the teacher told me that they were complaining about the day being long and wanted to leave early. I guess whatever drug affected them wore off.
Friday, June 11, 2004
F$#* THAT! Oops!
There are a few students that I think will have a hard time a) finding a job, or b) keeping a job, because they can't stop cursing. Just today, a student was going to a job fair, and was saying "I don't f#%@ing want to go can change!" So I told her to watch her language. She said "Oh! I'm sorry. It just slipped out." The very next thing she said was loaded with cursing, "Yeah, so now f#@&ing I have to find my shoes."
So I again mentioned her cursing, and that to make sure she doesn't curse in front of the interviewers. She again said "Oops! Sorry." And, sure enough, the next thing out of her mouth was more cursing. "That motherf#$@er better have my sh*t!"
I didn't (couldn't) say anything.
There are a few students that I think will have a hard time a) finding a job, or b) keeping a job, because they can't stop cursing. Just today, a student was going to a job fair, and was saying "I don't f#%@ing want to go can change!" So I told her to watch her language. She said "Oh! I'm sorry. It just slipped out." The very next thing she said was loaded with cursing, "Yeah, so now f#@&ing I have to find my shoes."
So I again mentioned her cursing, and that to make sure she doesn't curse in front of the interviewers. She again said "Oops! Sorry." And, sure enough, the next thing out of her mouth was more cursing. "That motherf#$@er better have my sh*t!"
I didn't (couldn't) say anything.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Sometimes I just want to scream.
For the billionth time, I helped a student to fix their resume. It's not helping that bothers me. It's the waiting until last minute, then whining when I'm too busy to sit and help JUST that student.
Today was busy: two computers messing up, a coworker's computer kept shutting and she needed it now, a student is asking for some special training, someone's floppy was messed up (because they took it home, like I always ask them not to), two students wanted previous test scores, while another student wants to tell me about her "excitement this weekend". Then this student, who was here all last week, decides she needs help with her resume now, right now, because she's going to an interview tomorrow (which she knew of since last week).
I help her, and she says "See? That didn't take long. Thanks."
For the billionth time, I helped a student to fix their resume. It's not helping that bothers me. It's the waiting until last minute, then whining when I'm too busy to sit and help JUST that student.
Today was busy: two computers messing up, a coworker's computer kept shutting and she needed it now, a student is asking for some special training, someone's floppy was messed up (because they took it home, like I always ask them not to), two students wanted previous test scores, while another student wants to tell me about her "excitement this weekend". Then this student, who was here all last week, decides she needs help with her resume now, right now, because she's going to an interview tomorrow (which she knew of since last week).
I help her, and she says "See? That didn't take long. Thanks."
Friday, June 04, 2004
Yuck.
I'm actually surprised this hadn't happened up to this point.
It was the end of the day, when a student raised her hand, her face looking a bit anxious. She asked, "Do you have something to clean up with? I had a little accident." I didn't know what she was talking about, until she stood up. I noticed she had wrapped her sweater around her waist.
There was a brownish stain on her chair. My first thought was she dropped some chocolate, and was about to say "Don't worry, I'll clean it up later." when I realized what it really was. She was menstruating, and it had seeped through her clothes onto the chair. I caught myself in mid-sentence, "Don't wor.... ry, I'm sure they have something in the office." I brought her back some tissues and some spray cleaner, and she got to work. I did not relish the idea of cleaning up someone else's bodily fluids.
Later on, I noticed she didn't fully get the stain, so I CAREFULLY and CAUTIOUSLY sprayed some more cleaner and rubbed at the stain.
This is the kind of thing women are supposed to ask each other for help with. Not a guy. Yuck.
I'm actually surprised this hadn't happened up to this point.
It was the end of the day, when a student raised her hand, her face looking a bit anxious. She asked, "Do you have something to clean up with? I had a little accident." I didn't know what she was talking about, until she stood up. I noticed she had wrapped her sweater around her waist.
There was a brownish stain on her chair. My first thought was she dropped some chocolate, and was about to say "Don't worry, I'll clean it up later." when I realized what it really was. She was menstruating, and it had seeped through her clothes onto the chair. I caught myself in mid-sentence, "Don't wor.... ry, I'm sure they have something in the office." I brought her back some tissues and some spray cleaner, and she got to work. I did not relish the idea of cleaning up someone else's bodily fluids.
Later on, I noticed she didn't fully get the stain, so I CAREFULLY and CAUTIOUSLY sprayed some more cleaner and rubbed at the stain.
This is the kind of thing women are supposed to ask each other for help with. Not a guy. Yuck.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
The Shrimp returns
I hate the Shrimp. He just annoys me so. If you don't remember, the Shrimp is another teacher who likes to bad-mouth other teachers and whoever he can, as long as he thinks it'll get him ahead, and a friend told me that he was trying to bad-mouth me in the office.
Well, the other day he came to my lab, he was teaching a class in my lab later that night, so he came in a little early. He tried to act friendly, "So how are things?" "Any computers I should watch out for?" and "By the way, was was your class yesterday?" I didn't know what he was talking about. He replied "Oh, nevermind." What happened was that, although he a little guy, he talks in a very passive-aggressive manner. So he told people in the office that if there are any class without an instructor, that they should go to him automatically. Now normally, I don't care, it's not like I'm going to die if I don't pick up an extra class, but this guy acts like it's "kill or be killed". I've even heard him bad-mouthing new teachers just so he'll end up with their classes. I heard him say that another teacher had a "heavy accent that students have trouble understanding" and that "especially computer basic students need to be able to comprehend what the teacher is saying". So I turned and said "What are you talking about? He doesn't have an accent." The Shrimp quickly said "No, I've sat in his class, and he has an accent when he teaches." The when the coordinator looked at him like he was crazy, he said "Well, maybe it's just me?"
Anyway, I heard recently he got caught bad-mouthing the office/program to his students (which he does a lot) and tried to cover it up by saying that he never said that. But someone said "Then where did they get that from? Why would they come in here and say 'he told me that...', unless you did?" He was caught. Now I hear that he's "under a microscope". GOOD! He should have been fired for something he did a LONG time ago. But, I'll leave that story for another post.
I hate the Shrimp. He just annoys me so. If you don't remember, the Shrimp is another teacher who likes to bad-mouth other teachers and whoever he can, as long as he thinks it'll get him ahead, and a friend told me that he was trying to bad-mouth me in the office.
Well, the other day he came to my lab, he was teaching a class in my lab later that night, so he came in a little early. He tried to act friendly, "So how are things?" "Any computers I should watch out for?" and "By the way, was was your class yesterday?" I didn't know what he was talking about. He replied "Oh, nevermind." What happened was that, although he a little guy, he talks in a very passive-aggressive manner. So he told people in the office that if there are any class without an instructor, that they should go to him automatically. Now normally, I don't care, it's not like I'm going to die if I don't pick up an extra class, but this guy acts like it's "kill or be killed". I've even heard him bad-mouthing new teachers just so he'll end up with their classes. I heard him say that another teacher had a "heavy accent that students have trouble understanding" and that "especially computer basic students need to be able to comprehend what the teacher is saying". So I turned and said "What are you talking about? He doesn't have an accent." The Shrimp quickly said "No, I've sat in his class, and he has an accent when he teaches." The when the coordinator looked at him like he was crazy, he said "Well, maybe it's just me?"
Anyway, I heard recently he got caught bad-mouthing the office/program to his students (which he does a lot) and tried to cover it up by saying that he never said that. But someone said "Then where did they get that from? Why would they come in here and say 'he told me that...', unless you did?" He was caught. Now I hear that he's "under a microscope". GOOD! He should have been fired for something he did a LONG time ago. But, I'll leave that story for another post.
HUH!?!?
In class today there was a discussion of breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, and amongst the usual comments someone said "I think the bottle is better because what if you're dumb, the baby will be dumb." She thought you could pass on your "dumbness" to your baby through breastfeeding! A-mazing, simply amazing.
In class today there was a discussion of breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, and amongst the usual comments someone said "I think the bottle is better because what if you're dumb, the baby will be dumb." She thought you could pass on your "dumbness" to your baby through breastfeeding! A-mazing, simply amazing.
Friday, May 28, 2004
"But I need to finish something"
I was getting ready to close the computer lab so I could go to lunch, and I told the students, "Ok, you have five minutes to finish up, because I need to close." Ten minutes later, they're still not packed up. So I restate that I'm closing. Nothing. As if I hadn't really said anything. Not in a disrespectful manner, it was more like they were in their own world.
So I again say that I need to close up. One of them says "Jeez, are you that hungry that you're kicking us out?" I had to say something. "This is my lunch time. I already gave you more time than I was going to. And you're not even doing work, you're shopping online! If we held you in class for even a minute past time, you'd complain. Now I can't even take my own lunchtime? WOW!" But I said it in a joking manner. They got the point, and got out.
I was getting ready to close the computer lab so I could go to lunch, and I told the students, "Ok, you have five minutes to finish up, because I need to close." Ten minutes later, they're still not packed up. So I restate that I'm closing. Nothing. As if I hadn't really said anything. Not in a disrespectful manner, it was more like they were in their own world.
So I again say that I need to close up. One of them says "Jeez, are you that hungry that you're kicking us out?" I had to say something. "This is my lunch time. I already gave you more time than I was going to. And you're not even doing work, you're shopping online! If we held you in class for even a minute past time, you'd complain. Now I can't even take my own lunchtime? WOW!" But I said it in a joking manner. They got the point, and got out.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
"This is for you"
One of the newer students turned and said "Oh, I have something for you, and the other teacher." I thought, "Wow, that's nice." I had helped her with her resume recently.
She handed me an envelope. I turned it over, and it looked like a bill or something. I jokingly asked "Is this a subpeona?" She laughed and said "No, it's a paper for the Breast Cancer Walk, and you can just send a check for two dollars or whatever you want, and it's tax-deductible. You don't have to give it to me, you can just send it in."
She gave me a donation slip! And acted as if she was giving me a gift! I was cracking up, inside of course.
One of the newer students turned and said "Oh, I have something for you, and the other teacher." I thought, "Wow, that's nice." I had helped her with her resume recently.
She handed me an envelope. I turned it over, and it looked like a bill or something. I jokingly asked "Is this a subpeona?" She laughed and said "No, it's a paper for the Breast Cancer Walk, and you can just send a check for two dollars or whatever you want, and it's tax-deductible. You don't have to give it to me, you can just send it in."
She gave me a donation slip! And acted as if she was giving me a gift! I was cracking up, inside of course.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
The ones who (almost) push too far
Yesterday, I had an appointment and had to come in late. When I got in, a fellow instructor gave me a "heads up" about someone who's been waiting for me. A former student of the program (from about 3 years ago) was waiting for me for two hours and was a little upset about that. It didn't really bother me, because she was supposed to show up about three weeks ago, and didn't even call to cancel or reschedule.
She needed some help with a PowerPoint project, which I was originally told was for work. I asked her about what she needed, and from there her story was flaky. She told me something about a 12-18 page presentation, her not knowing how to even get started, she can't get any help from the teacher, and then having to wait for me "all morning" (it was more like an hour and a half), blah... blah... blah...
Turns out, she's taking a class somewhere else, and this is only PART of a larger project. Her rush is due to the fact that it was due the next day. Yes, the NEXT DAY. I told her that I couldn't stop to just sit and help her, because I had classes for that afternoon, but that she could sit in for the second class, in which we were starting PowerPoint. She whined about wanting me to sit with her and "help" her (actually she wanted me to sit and do it FOR her) with the assignment. When I mentioned that it was strange that a teacher would give an assignment and not explain how to do it, she said "No, he didn't explain it, and no one can help me." I said "Then there has to be some lab somewhere where you can get help." She replied "Yes, there's a computer lab, but everyone else is doing their thing, I'm the only one who doesn't know how to do this." I told her "There has to be a reason for that, because it can't be that everyone else just magically 'got it' and you didn't. Maybe you missed those classes?" She went off on some tirade about how "they" put her in "that class" that she "didn't even want".
So after offering to let her sit in a PowerPoint basics class, she complained that she "probably wouldn't get much done", and that she needed me to sit with her and "just" help her. Which I couldn't do.
Later she came by about 10 minutes into class, and asked/ complained "You haven't started yet!?" I told her that the students get the first 10 minutes to check their e-mail and practice typing. She said, get this... "Oh! I can't wait ten minutes." Mind you, she's three weeks late for the scheduled appointment to help her, AND this work is due the next day.
"Besides, I've been waiting for you all day." I thought she was joking, but when I looked at her face, SHE WAS SERIOUS! In my head I was saying "HOW DARE YOU!", but I was so shocked, I couldn't help but find this funny. I told her "I don't even know you. I'm doing you a favor. This is an assignment for a class your taking somewhere else. You were supposed to be here THREE WEEKS AGO. You should have asked you teacher for help at that point, if not when you first started. You can't seriously be trying to put this on me? There's a reason why all your classmates know how to do this, you need to talk with your teacher. Besides, even if I cancelled my classes and just sat and did YOUR work, I woudn't have enough time to finish! This is at least ten to fifteen hours of work! You have a presentation to make, a website project, information to research, plus a report! What makes you think I can help you with all that?"
It seemed to be sinking in. Then she says... (while pushing some papers towards me) "Well how am I supposed to explain where this came from?" She had printed some pages of a presentation off the internet along with some pages of the teacher's course companion website. Yes, the teacher had/has a website to help the class. All I could say was "I don't even know where that came from! What is it?" All she kept saying was "How am I supposed to explain where this came from? What am I supposed to say?" Then she left in a huff.
Sometimes, when I think I've seen it all, people can still amaze me.
Yesterday, I had an appointment and had to come in late. When I got in, a fellow instructor gave me a "heads up" about someone who's been waiting for me. A former student of the program (from about 3 years ago) was waiting for me for two hours and was a little upset about that. It didn't really bother me, because she was supposed to show up about three weeks ago, and didn't even call to cancel or reschedule.
She needed some help with a PowerPoint project, which I was originally told was for work. I asked her about what she needed, and from there her story was flaky. She told me something about a 12-18 page presentation, her not knowing how to even get started, she can't get any help from the teacher, and then having to wait for me "all morning" (it was more like an hour and a half), blah... blah... blah...
Turns out, she's taking a class somewhere else, and this is only PART of a larger project. Her rush is due to the fact that it was due the next day. Yes, the NEXT DAY. I told her that I couldn't stop to just sit and help her, because I had classes for that afternoon, but that she could sit in for the second class, in which we were starting PowerPoint. She whined about wanting me to sit with her and "help" her (actually she wanted me to sit and do it FOR her) with the assignment. When I mentioned that it was strange that a teacher would give an assignment and not explain how to do it, she said "No, he didn't explain it, and no one can help me." I said "Then there has to be some lab somewhere where you can get help." She replied "Yes, there's a computer lab, but everyone else is doing their thing, I'm the only one who doesn't know how to do this." I told her "There has to be a reason for that, because it can't be that everyone else just magically 'got it' and you didn't. Maybe you missed those classes?" She went off on some tirade about how "they" put her in "that class" that she "didn't even want".
So after offering to let her sit in a PowerPoint basics class, she complained that she "probably wouldn't get much done", and that she needed me to sit with her and "just" help her. Which I couldn't do.
Later she came by about 10 minutes into class, and asked/ complained "You haven't started yet!?" I told her that the students get the first 10 minutes to check their e-mail and practice typing. She said, get this... "Oh! I can't wait ten minutes." Mind you, she's three weeks late for the scheduled appointment to help her, AND this work is due the next day.
"Besides, I've been waiting for you all day." I thought she was joking, but when I looked at her face, SHE WAS SERIOUS! In my head I was saying "HOW DARE YOU!", but I was so shocked, I couldn't help but find this funny. I told her "I don't even know you. I'm doing you a favor. This is an assignment for a class your taking somewhere else. You were supposed to be here THREE WEEKS AGO. You should have asked you teacher for help at that point, if not when you first started. You can't seriously be trying to put this on me? There's a reason why all your classmates know how to do this, you need to talk with your teacher. Besides, even if I cancelled my classes and just sat and did YOUR work, I woudn't have enough time to finish! This is at least ten to fifteen hours of work! You have a presentation to make, a website project, information to research, plus a report! What makes you think I can help you with all that?"
It seemed to be sinking in. Then she says... (while pushing some papers towards me) "Well how am I supposed to explain where this came from?" She had printed some pages of a presentation off the internet along with some pages of the teacher's course companion website. Yes, the teacher had/has a website to help the class. All I could say was "I don't even know where that came from! What is it?" All she kept saying was "How am I supposed to explain where this came from? What am I supposed to say?" Then she left in a huff.
Sometimes, when I think I've seen it all, people can still amaze me.
Friday, May 14, 2004
How many times?
Everytime, without exception, I have my students to sign up for an e-mail address, I tell them to not sign up to receive "free offers" because it's just junk mail. Nothing of any use. Total garbage. I also tell them to ignore all pop-up ads that offer deals too good to be true, like the "Click here to receive a FREE DVD player!!" or "Guess which one is Brad Pitt and win a digital camera!!"
But do they listen? No.
I had one student who kept referring stuff to me. She'd click on some pop-up, then it'd ask her to list 5 friends' e-mails, so NATURALLY she asks me. And when I tell her that I'm not interested in getting more junk mail (who doesn't), she starts sucking her teeth, griping that I won't help her get a free digital camera. The best part is how she realizes that she has my e-mail address on handouts I've given the class, so she finds it and puts it down.
Then when I ask her why she's sending me all this junk mail (it has her e-mail listed as the sender), she denies it. When I show her the e-mail, she "suddenly remembers" that she might have put me down on her form. When I ask her if she received ANY of the things she's "won", of course, complains how "somebody must have messed it up for her", because it was a "sure thing".
I feel like bombing her e-mail account.
Another student complained about how she had received 25 junk e-mails in one day. "How could this happen?" I laughed. When she asked why I was laughing, I explained to her that she signed up for it. That she should have listened to me when I said not to select those "free offers". She said "But I wanted to find cheap plane tickets! Ok, I'll just go back and uncheck them. I can do that right?" I replied "Sure, as long as you have a time machine and you uncheck them it when you signed up for your account." You should have seen her two weeks later when she was getting upwards of 50 pieces of spam a day. After that, she just gave in and signed up for a new account.
In cases like this when students don't listen, I secretly like spam.
Everytime, without exception, I have my students to sign up for an e-mail address, I tell them to not sign up to receive "free offers" because it's just junk mail. Nothing of any use. Total garbage. I also tell them to ignore all pop-up ads that offer deals too good to be true, like the "Click here to receive a FREE DVD player!!" or "Guess which one is Brad Pitt and win a digital camera!!"
But do they listen? No.
I had one student who kept referring stuff to me. She'd click on some pop-up, then it'd ask her to list 5 friends' e-mails, so NATURALLY she asks me. And when I tell her that I'm not interested in getting more junk mail (who doesn't), she starts sucking her teeth, griping that I won't help her get a free digital camera. The best part is how she realizes that she has my e-mail address on handouts I've given the class, so she finds it and puts it down.
Then when I ask her why she's sending me all this junk mail (it has her e-mail listed as the sender), she denies it. When I show her the e-mail, she "suddenly remembers" that she might have put me down on her form. When I ask her if she received ANY of the things she's "won", of course, complains how "somebody must have messed it up for her", because it was a "sure thing".
I feel like bombing her e-mail account.
Another student complained about how she had received 25 junk e-mails in one day. "How could this happen?" I laughed. When she asked why I was laughing, I explained to her that she signed up for it. That she should have listened to me when I said not to select those "free offers". She said "But I wanted to find cheap plane tickets! Ok, I'll just go back and uncheck them. I can do that right?" I replied "Sure, as long as you have a time machine and you uncheck them it when you signed up for your account." You should have seen her two weeks later when she was getting upwards of 50 pieces of spam a day. After that, she just gave in and signed up for a new account.
In cases like this when students don't listen, I secretly like spam.
Just thinking...
Without fear of losing any "humble points"... when I was hired, the staff seemed to like me right away. Not like "You're so great and wonderful! Thank God for you!". But more like "He's a real nice, helpful guy."
Within the first few weeks or so, I had heard a bunch of stories about the previous instructor. Here's a little backstory on him:
He was an older man, around 45-50. He was tough, with the students as well as fellow instructors and staff. He was a nice man, but he was strict, stubborn, a bit arrogant, and he did things in his own "strange" way. Which could only have resulted in a lot of complaints from students. He was even bossy with the other instructors. For example, he'd "ask" them to step outside of THEIR lounge (it's not necessarily for the computer instructor)while he made a phone call, "Do you mind? This is a personal call. Thanks." Other teachers would have to ask to 1) use a computer, and then 2) ask permission to print! To which he'd sometimes say no, or force them to print on recycled paper.
Ok, so now you have an idea of how he was. Now, although he was "let go", he still works in the same school, but in a different department, so he still pops up every now and then.
Every now and then he'll pop into the computer lab, without asking anyone, and he'll just sit at a computer and print out whatever he needs to print, however many pages it might be. Again, without asking. And he doesn't really seem to care if a class is going on or not, or if he's interupting or not. Or if he's using up the last few sheets of "good" paper or not.
I try to show him him respect, because 1) he's a fellow instructor, 2) he's older man, and 3) he's never pulled any of that crap above with me (which would call for a "revocation of respect"). But I have to wonder... what would he have said if our places were reversed? Would anyone be wrong to point it out to him? Or go to his current workplace do the same? And, doesn't it make him seem like more of a total ass?
I was thinking about this because I just found a floppy disk in one of the computers, with a document with his name on it. So now I'm thinking he may have a key, which takes his "abuse" to a higher level.
Without fear of losing any "humble points"... when I was hired, the staff seemed to like me right away. Not like "You're so great and wonderful! Thank God for you!". But more like "He's a real nice, helpful guy."
Within the first few weeks or so, I had heard a bunch of stories about the previous instructor. Here's a little backstory on him:
He was an older man, around 45-50. He was tough, with the students as well as fellow instructors and staff. He was a nice man, but he was strict, stubborn, a bit arrogant, and he did things in his own "strange" way. Which could only have resulted in a lot of complaints from students. He was even bossy with the other instructors. For example, he'd "ask" them to step outside of THEIR lounge (it's not necessarily for the computer instructor)while he made a phone call, "Do you mind? This is a personal call. Thanks." Other teachers would have to ask to 1) use a computer, and then 2) ask permission to print! To which he'd sometimes say no, or force them to print on recycled paper.
Ok, so now you have an idea of how he was. Now, although he was "let go", he still works in the same school, but in a different department, so he still pops up every now and then.
Every now and then he'll pop into the computer lab, without asking anyone, and he'll just sit at a computer and print out whatever he needs to print, however many pages it might be. Again, without asking. And he doesn't really seem to care if a class is going on or not, or if he's interupting or not. Or if he's using up the last few sheets of "good" paper or not.
I try to show him him respect, because 1) he's a fellow instructor, 2) he's older man, and 3) he's never pulled any of that crap above with me (which would call for a "revocation of respect"). But I have to wonder... what would he have said if our places were reversed? Would anyone be wrong to point it out to him? Or go to his current workplace do the same? And, doesn't it make him seem like more of a total ass?
I was thinking about this because I just found a floppy disk in one of the computers, with a document with his name on it. So now I'm thinking he may have a key, which takes his "abuse" to a higher level.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Acting "ghetto"
Every now and then, we take the students to an event (a play, a film showing, a gallery, etc..), as a type of "cultural awareness" activity. Now, I do get defensive about "my ladies" (my students are all females) and don't like people talking bad about them, or talking down to them. So, I'm not saying our students are "culturally ignorant brutes who don't know how to act", nor am I saying they are "perfect little angels who always sit with their hands crossed"... let's leave it at "they're a bit rough around the edges".
So while at play, I overheard a few students complaining about something. When I asked what was going on, they said "people are complaining that we act 'ghetto'. I was going to smack her, but I didn't want to make any trouble for you guys." (whew!) Also, I knew a few of the theater students (who were in the audience), and they called my students "kids", in a derogatory manner, well within earshot of my students. (not a good thing)
First, when you're in a play, it's better to have a "ghetto" audience, than no audience. So don't complain about your audience unless they're throwing stuff at you, and then, it might be your bad acting.
Second, if you do have a complaint, don't let your audience hear you BEFORE, DURING, or AFTER the play. It will only influence their preception of your performance.
Third, don't poke an angry dog. If you really believe someone acts "ghetto", then why provoke them? You know it'll just turn out bad, for both of you. AND, it also means you are just as "ghetto" as they are. Didn't your parents' ever teach you it's impolite to critisize people?
Fourth, If you are going to complain about how someone is acting, take the high road! AT THE VERY LEAST don't do the exact same thing you just complained about. Someone next to me complained about how some of my students were stepping over people to get to their seat, that "they should have gotten in earlier" and then said "she's so ghetto, I bet she won't even turn off her cell phone." After the intermission, THAT SAME theater student came back in late and clumped around over people to get to her seat. And then, not FIVE minutes into the play, her cell phone went off! AND, she sat there and text-messaged with someone, while the play was going on!
What was funny is that a few "theater people" (students and staff) were complaining about there not being "any reserved seating for us" (they got there late). Probably because then they'd end up complaining about themselves, and have to actually acknowledge that they themselves act "ghetto".
Every now and then, we take the students to an event (a play, a film showing, a gallery, etc..), as a type of "cultural awareness" activity. Now, I do get defensive about "my ladies" (my students are all females) and don't like people talking bad about them, or talking down to them. So, I'm not saying our students are "culturally ignorant brutes who don't know how to act", nor am I saying they are "perfect little angels who always sit with their hands crossed"... let's leave it at "they're a bit rough around the edges".
So while at play, I overheard a few students complaining about something. When I asked what was going on, they said "people are complaining that we act 'ghetto'. I was going to smack her, but I didn't want to make any trouble for you guys." (whew!) Also, I knew a few of the theater students (who were in the audience), and they called my students "kids", in a derogatory manner, well within earshot of my students. (not a good thing)
First, when you're in a play, it's better to have a "ghetto" audience, than no audience. So don't complain about your audience unless they're throwing stuff at you, and then, it might be your bad acting.
Second, if you do have a complaint, don't let your audience hear you BEFORE, DURING, or AFTER the play. It will only influence their preception of your performance.
Third, don't poke an angry dog. If you really believe someone acts "ghetto", then why provoke them? You know it'll just turn out bad, for both of you. AND, it also means you are just as "ghetto" as they are. Didn't your parents' ever teach you it's impolite to critisize people?
Fourth, If you are going to complain about how someone is acting, take the high road! AT THE VERY LEAST don't do the exact same thing you just complained about. Someone next to me complained about how some of my students were stepping over people to get to their seat, that "they should have gotten in earlier" and then said "she's so ghetto, I bet she won't even turn off her cell phone." After the intermission, THAT SAME theater student came back in late and clumped around over people to get to her seat. And then, not FIVE minutes into the play, her cell phone went off! AND, she sat there and text-messaged with someone, while the play was going on!
What was funny is that a few "theater people" (students and staff) were complaining about there not being "any reserved seating for us" (they got there late). Probably because then they'd end up complaining about themselves, and have to actually acknowledge that they themselves act "ghetto".
"Sweety"
Now, before I continue, there are some relevant facts to mention about my students:
1. They're on public assistance, which I only mention because of there are a few who are looking to "upgrade" their partner.
2. Many women in the program are single mothers, therefore some are just looking.
3. Some are pregnant, and are in that short phase where they get easily excited.
4. Some have been in bad relationships, so when they see a guy treating them kindly, they a) like it, and/or b) think it's a come-on.
5. Some have been in REAL bad relationships with REAL bad people. WHY? Why do nice girls get involved with such OBVIOUSLY BAD guys? Why!!?? Now, (I'm not excusing here) I'm not talking about the "young-teen-stupidly-naive" girls, I'm talking about the "over-25-grown-woman-that's-had-three-or-four-serious-relationships" women.
That said, let's start.
I always try to be professional in how I comport myself with the students. I try my best to ever make the students feel like I'm flirting, nor do I make suggestive comments. But sometimes, I (and other teachers) get hit-on, or are the recipients of some big-time flirting.
One student calls me "sweety" and "babe" every now and then. One student mentioned how another teacher was "looking REAL nice" that day. And those are just some of the "regular" flirts. Sometimes we get the "hardcore" flirts, like when someone talks about their "sexual escapades" and such. You hear them saying (just loud enough for you to hear) how "...need a man like him to..." or "...I bet he knows how to make me..."
I usually try to ignore it, and act as if I didn't hear it, but sometimes you just can't. Sometimes, they won't let you ignore it, they'll mention it again, or just come out and ask you if you heard. But there's no way I'll get involved with any of them, not just because it's prohibited, but because it's not right to abuse the teacher-student relationship.
Sometimes, I think they know I'm not going to "go for it" and just want to see my reaction.
Now, before I continue, there are some relevant facts to mention about my students:
1. They're on public assistance, which I only mention because of there are a few who are looking to "upgrade" their partner.
2. Many women in the program are single mothers, therefore some are just looking.
3. Some are pregnant, and are in that short phase where they get easily excited.
4. Some have been in bad relationships, so when they see a guy treating them kindly, they a) like it, and/or b) think it's a come-on.
5. Some have been in REAL bad relationships with REAL bad people. WHY? Why do nice girls get involved with such OBVIOUSLY BAD guys? Why!!?? Now, (I'm not excusing here) I'm not talking about the "young-teen-stupidly-naive" girls, I'm talking about the "over-25-grown-woman-that's-had-three-or-four-serious-relationships" women.
That said, let's start.
I always try to be professional in how I comport myself with the students. I try my best to ever make the students feel like I'm flirting, nor do I make suggestive comments. But sometimes, I (and other teachers) get hit-on, or are the recipients of some big-time flirting.
One student calls me "sweety" and "babe" every now and then. One student mentioned how another teacher was "looking REAL nice" that day. And those are just some of the "regular" flirts. Sometimes we get the "hardcore" flirts, like when someone talks about their "sexual escapades" and such. You hear them saying (just loud enough for you to hear) how "...need a man like him to..." or "...I bet he knows how to make me..."
I usually try to ignore it, and act as if I didn't hear it, but sometimes you just can't. Sometimes, they won't let you ignore it, they'll mention it again, or just come out and ask you if you heard. But there's no way I'll get involved with any of them, not just because it's prohibited, but because it's not right to abuse the teacher-student relationship.
Sometimes, I think they know I'm not going to "go for it" and just want to see my reaction.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
"Director of Homeland Security"
Another teacher gave the students an assignment where they had to e-mail their resumes to prospective employers and make sure to "CC" him as well. A couple of students asked me for help in attaching their resumes. I noticed that two or three were applying for a certain position, Director of Homeland Security!
I asked one student why she chose that listing to apply to, and she said "I have a lot of experience doing security, so I figured... why not? I could do security from home." I wanted to laugh, but I maintained my poker face. I didn't want to discourage anyone from doing another teacher's assignment, so I didn't say anything.
Who knows, maybe one of them might get it?
Another teacher gave the students an assignment where they had to e-mail their resumes to prospective employers and make sure to "CC" him as well. A couple of students asked me for help in attaching their resumes. I noticed that two or three were applying for a certain position, Director of Homeland Security!
I asked one student why she chose that listing to apply to, and she said "I have a lot of experience doing security, so I figured... why not? I could do security from home." I wanted to laugh, but I maintained my poker face. I didn't want to discourage anyone from doing another teacher's assignment, so I didn't say anything.
Who knows, maybe one of them might get it?
Monday, March 15, 2004
"Here, fix it."
I was chatting with a friend, who is a "computer guy" at his company. We were exchanging "computer guy" stories. He was telling me about how people walk up to his desk and, although he's busy doing something, they'll ask for some computer help. Usually something not work-related or important.
I was telling him how one student brought her computer in for me to fix. She didn't bring any of the CDs that came with the computer, or any information (such as serial numbers), or even a screw driver to open the case. She said "I figured that since you know a lot about computers, you'd have all the tools to fix them." redundant note: I'm a TEACHER! I imagine someone walking into an anatomy class, "Great, you guys are going over the abdomen... I need my appendix removed."
Anyway, I tell her that I'll look at it during my lunch. I find a screw driver, open the case, and WHOA! I find a lot of dust bunnies, a GOOD handful. Plus, about thirty or so cockroaches, two of which were still alive. One big, meaty one was encrusted to the motherboard. It looked like the board was trying to digest the roach. The inside of this case was disgusting. I could tell someone once spilled some liquid (I pray someone spilled some liquid) inside the case a while back. The fan was so full of dust and grime and "stuff" that it almost couldn't spin.
End of story... I tell her I couldn't do much except clean it out, tell her to add some memory, recommend some tips (clean out every six months, uninstall some programs, etc..) and wish her well. I cringe when she says "Okay, if I have any problems, I'll bring it back." I tell her there's not much I can do, but to call the manufacturer to see if she had purchased the extended warranty, which means they will have to service it, FOR FREE. She liked that idea.
It's been about three months and she hasn't brought it back (me happy), so I guess either it's working, or she got the manufacturer to fix it.
I was chatting with a friend, who is a "computer guy" at his company. We were exchanging "computer guy" stories. He was telling me about how people walk up to his desk and, although he's busy doing something, they'll ask for some computer help. Usually something not work-related or important.
I was telling him how one student brought her computer in for me to fix. She didn't bring any of the CDs that came with the computer, or any information (such as serial numbers), or even a screw driver to open the case. She said "I figured that since you know a lot about computers, you'd have all the tools to fix them." redundant note: I'm a TEACHER! I imagine someone walking into an anatomy class, "Great, you guys are going over the abdomen... I need my appendix removed."
Anyway, I tell her that I'll look at it during my lunch. I find a screw driver, open the case, and WHOA! I find a lot of dust bunnies, a GOOD handful. Plus, about thirty or so cockroaches, two of which were still alive. One big, meaty one was encrusted to the motherboard. It looked like the board was trying to digest the roach. The inside of this case was disgusting. I could tell someone once spilled some liquid (I pray someone spilled some liquid) inside the case a while back. The fan was so full of dust and grime and "stuff" that it almost couldn't spin.
End of story... I tell her I couldn't do much except clean it out, tell her to add some memory, recommend some tips (clean out every six months, uninstall some programs, etc..) and wish her well. I cringe when she says "Okay, if I have any problems, I'll bring it back." I tell her there's not much I can do, but to call the manufacturer to see if she had purchased the extended warranty, which means they will have to service it, FOR FREE. She liked that idea.
It's been about three months and she hasn't brought it back (me happy), so I guess either it's working, or she got the manufacturer to fix it.
"But we always get a 20 minute break!"
Today a new teacher started working and, of course, the students in her group tried to take advantage of her naivetè.
They told her that they always get a break. And, of course, the "15 minute break" turned into a 22 minute break. Even longer for a few who didn't come back until almost 30 minutes. Most of these students came in late, more than an hour late. And the ones who are very late are usually the biggest proponents for a break.
Today a new teacher started working and, of course, the students in her group tried to take advantage of her naivetè.
They told her that they always get a break. And, of course, the "15 minute break" turned into a 22 minute break. Even longer for a few who didn't come back until almost 30 minutes. Most of these students came in late, more than an hour late. And the ones who are very late are usually the biggest proponents for a break.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
"But I need this right now!"
Today, we had a job fair for the students. So, of course, almost everyone was rushing at the last minute to get their resumes finished and printed, even though we've been telling them to be ready. One girl came in in jeans and a t-shirt, NOT dressed for an interview. When asked why she wasn't dressed properly, she said she "didn't feel like meeting with people." and "didn't want to work with those people." (Her mom works for one of the companies, and doesn't like her job) So I said "They have lots of jobs, not just the one your mom has. And, there are other companies there." I couldn't believe she didn't think about that. So, knowing she lives nearby, I recommended she go home and change, whcih she did.
Another student decided that she didn't have to work on her resume in class, because her mother "has a computer at home and she can do it for me." Today, she showed up with a CD and asked me to print it out. When I went to open the file, there was no resume. She called her mom, and I suggested her mom e-mail it to me, instead of faxing it so I can print a clean copy. I waited for about 15 minutes, no resume. She tells me that she wants to go, and have I printed out her resume yet. I tell her that her mom still hasn't sent it. She called her mom again, who said "What? You need it right away? Can't you wait?" The student asked her to e-mail it now because she can't interview without it. So the mom says she'll do it in a few minutes. I tell the student to go ahead, and I'll wait for the resume, print it out and bring it to her. An hour later, I get a phone call. "I'm sending it now. As soon as I hang up, I go on the internet and send it."
Approximately TWO minutes later, I get another call. "Did you get it? Were you able to print it out? Is it fine?" I'm amazed that this person who originally took her time to send the resume, is now RUSHING me! I tell her that I need to fix it a bit, and she asks "Why? What's wrong with it?" I have to tell her that she mispelt a bunch of words (like "New York") a few times, and that I'm trying to fix the format to make it look neat. She goes on to tell me about her program not having "those advanced functions". The asks me to hurry, because her daughter called her to ask her to hurry.
Reminds me of the old saying "An emergency on YOUR part, does not consistute a reason to rush on MY part."
Today, we had a job fair for the students. So, of course, almost everyone was rushing at the last minute to get their resumes finished and printed, even though we've been telling them to be ready. One girl came in in jeans and a t-shirt, NOT dressed for an interview. When asked why she wasn't dressed properly, she said she "didn't feel like meeting with people." and "didn't want to work with those people." (Her mom works for one of the companies, and doesn't like her job) So I said "They have lots of jobs, not just the one your mom has. And, there are other companies there." I couldn't believe she didn't think about that. So, knowing she lives nearby, I recommended she go home and change, whcih she did.
Another student decided that she didn't have to work on her resume in class, because her mother "has a computer at home and she can do it for me." Today, she showed up with a CD and asked me to print it out. When I went to open the file, there was no resume. She called her mom, and I suggested her mom e-mail it to me, instead of faxing it so I can print a clean copy. I waited for about 15 minutes, no resume. She tells me that she wants to go, and have I printed out her resume yet. I tell her that her mom still hasn't sent it. She called her mom again, who said "What? You need it right away? Can't you wait?" The student asked her to e-mail it now because she can't interview without it. So the mom says she'll do it in a few minutes. I tell the student to go ahead, and I'll wait for the resume, print it out and bring it to her. An hour later, I get a phone call. "I'm sending it now. As soon as I hang up, I go on the internet and send it."
Approximately TWO minutes later, I get another call. "Did you get it? Were you able to print it out? Is it fine?" I'm amazed that this person who originally took her time to send the resume, is now RUSHING me! I tell her that I need to fix it a bit, and she asks "Why? What's wrong with it?" I have to tell her that she mispelt a bunch of words (like "New York") a few times, and that I'm trying to fix the format to make it look neat. She goes on to tell me about her program not having "those advanced functions". The asks me to hurry, because her daughter called her to ask her to hurry.
Reminds me of the old saying "An emergency on YOUR part, does not consistute a reason to rush on MY part."
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
It's amazing what people think you don't know.
The other day, I was covering a class that didn't have a teacher. The subject was some basic math. The students thought that because I taught computers, I didn't know this subject. As I was explaining it, I heard one of the students say "He knows this stuff!", I laughed, and she said "I thought you didn't know math! I thought you just knew about computers." So I replied, "I know all about computers and math, I just don't know how to read and write!" That got a few laughs, as well as a few strange looks from a few who thought I was serious. But the students actually think that a teacher knows what they teach, nothing else. One told me that she thought another teacher was the smartest because he teaches basic math, reading and writing. "That's THREE things." Funny.
The other day, I was covering a class that didn't have a teacher. The subject was some basic math. The students thought that because I taught computers, I didn't know this subject. As I was explaining it, I heard one of the students say "He knows this stuff!", I laughed, and she said "I thought you didn't know math! I thought you just knew about computers." So I replied, "I know all about computers and math, I just don't know how to read and write!" That got a few laughs, as well as a few strange looks from a few who thought I was serious. But the students actually think that a teacher knows what they teach, nothing else. One told me that she thought another teacher was the smartest because he teaches basic math, reading and writing. "That's THREE things." Funny.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
"I love it when a plan comes together."
When you're a teacher, you usually end up with your average mix of types of students. A few good students, a few that need a little extra attention, a class joker, a tough guy or two, and those that you really have to work at.
But every now and then, a you get a good group. A group that when say something, BAM, they got it. You might have to re-explain one or two things, but they always "get it". And, if you're good, finish your food and say your prayers every night; you get not only a group that "get's it", but that also thanks you on their way out. Oh man, it feels SO good to hear that! A good one is, "Listen, thanks. I never understood it before, but now... it's like you've opened my eyes."
Makes you feel like you're walking on air.
When you're a teacher, you usually end up with your average mix of types of students. A few good students, a few that need a little extra attention, a class joker, a tough guy or two, and those that you really have to work at.
But every now and then, a you get a good group. A group that when say something, BAM, they got it. You might have to re-explain one or two things, but they always "get it". And, if you're good, finish your food and say your prayers every night; you get not only a group that "get's it", but that also thanks you on their way out. Oh man, it feels SO good to hear that! A good one is, "Listen, thanks. I never understood it before, but now... it's like you've opened my eyes."
Makes you feel like you're walking on air.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Private information.
When you're the teacher, students always want your information (phone, e-mail, etc...). They want to be able to call you when they need/want to. To them, it's just a phone call or two, but they don't understand that I teach between 80 to 180 students each year. If each called me only twice, I'd have a call every day of the year. Although they always ask for my phone number, I always tell them to e-mail me. I also make a little joking comment about how many e-mails they can send me. "...about two, three if you're nice, four if you're sending me money."
I only give my phone number to students who are paying me for some service outside the classroom (consulting, private classes, etc..). But once in while, very rarely, I'll get a call from a student and have no idea how he/she got my number.
A student called me at home the other day to ask a question about class. "How'd he get my number?" was my first question. I thought maybe someone in the office unknowingly gave it to him. But then I remembered that this student had been in one of my other classes a while back, about a year ago. He had asked me about consulting on buying/setting-up a new computer, but never called me. Seems he kept it, and "filed" it.
Once, a long time ago, while doing an in-class example of something, I used my home address on the board. I did it without thinking. That weekend, as I was leaving my home, I saw one of my students sort of hanging around outside my building. I called her name, and she said "Oh, hi. You live here? I'm uh.. waiting for a friend who lives here." I asked which apartment she lived in (it was a small building and I knew a few tenants). She said "No, not in this building. Um.. she lives in that big one over there." (pointing to one down the block) Then she quickly changed the subject, and asked me a few computer questions and told me that she was going to buy a computer that day. She pulled out some ads and asked me what was the difference between a few circled specials, then left without waiting for her friend.
Later on I figured out what happened. She knew what building I lived in, but not what apartment. So she waited outside to "bump into" me and ask her questions. I asked about her friend (who lived "down the block"), and at first she had no idea what I was talking about. When she realized I caught her, she gave me a quick "Oh! Yeah! He's fine. He was sick. So I waited for nothing." Her friend must have been REAL sick, because the weekend I "bumped into" the student, her "friend" (the "he") was a "she". Hope I don't catch that.
Never, ever, ever, give a student your address or home number. He/she will call you or "bump into" you on your street.
When you're the teacher, students always want your information (phone, e-mail, etc...). They want to be able to call you when they need/want to. To them, it's just a phone call or two, but they don't understand that I teach between 80 to 180 students each year. If each called me only twice, I'd have a call every day of the year. Although they always ask for my phone number, I always tell them to e-mail me. I also make a little joking comment about how many e-mails they can send me. "...about two, three if you're nice, four if you're sending me money."
I only give my phone number to students who are paying me for some service outside the classroom (consulting, private classes, etc..). But once in while, very rarely, I'll get a call from a student and have no idea how he/she got my number.
A student called me at home the other day to ask a question about class. "How'd he get my number?" was my first question. I thought maybe someone in the office unknowingly gave it to him. But then I remembered that this student had been in one of my other classes a while back, about a year ago. He had asked me about consulting on buying/setting-up a new computer, but never called me. Seems he kept it, and "filed" it.
Once, a long time ago, while doing an in-class example of something, I used my home address on the board. I did it without thinking. That weekend, as I was leaving my home, I saw one of my students sort of hanging around outside my building. I called her name, and she said "Oh, hi. You live here? I'm uh.. waiting for a friend who lives here." I asked which apartment she lived in (it was a small building and I knew a few tenants). She said "No, not in this building. Um.. she lives in that big one over there." (pointing to one down the block) Then she quickly changed the subject, and asked me a few computer questions and told me that she was going to buy a computer that day. She pulled out some ads and asked me what was the difference between a few circled specials, then left without waiting for her friend.
Later on I figured out what happened. She knew what building I lived in, but not what apartment. So she waited outside to "bump into" me and ask her questions. I asked about her friend (who lived "down the block"), and at first she had no idea what I was talking about. When she realized I caught her, she gave me a quick "Oh! Yeah! He's fine. He was sick. So I waited for nothing." Her friend must have been REAL sick, because the weekend I "bumped into" the student, her "friend" (the "he") was a "she". Hope I don't catch that.
Never, ever, ever, give a student your address or home number. He/she will call you or "bump into" you on your street.
Friday, February 13, 2004
Did their brains shut down? Part II
Ok, so only "Tupac" came in the next day (she later called "Biggie" to say she should have come in and that "it was no big deal"). After talking to the director for about 15 minutes, she's allowed back into class. Later on (less than an hour and a half later), I catch her looking at porn! In Class! IN THE FRONT ROW! AND COMMENTING TO OTHER STUDENTS!! I'm just stunned, not because she's looking at porn, but because she JUST came back from the director's office and had to be "talked" to. If I was called to attention, I'd try to keep a low profile at least for the rest of that day.
So I tell her to close it, and that she knows better. I see her closing a couple of windows and turn my attention elsewhere. About 10 minutes later, another student walks by and says "Don't say I told you, but she's still looking at porn." Now, I'm just amazed. I tell her to close it, she tells me "I'm trying but they keep popping up. I have this software on my computer that allows me to replicate the students screen on my screen, so I can see what they're doing, and I connect to hers. I see that she's not closing windows, she still browsing. So tell her teacher (it wasn't my class), to check her computer. He goes over and says "My god, you're not supposed to be doing that in class! You know better. If this was a job, you'd have been fired." She claims she's trying but "they keep popping up". He says "Well, close them.", looks at his watch, and tells the class that they can leave for the day. Miraculously, she manages to close all of her windows in about 3 seconds and leaves. Yes, she was just BS'ing.
After she leaves, I go to check out her computer to make sure whatever site she was on, didn't set itself as the homepage. I notice that she had downloaded a program that promises to "erase all evidence of porn activity". I swear what do they think?
Ok, so only "Tupac" came in the next day (she later called "Biggie" to say she should have come in and that "it was no big deal"). After talking to the director for about 15 minutes, she's allowed back into class. Later on (less than an hour and a half later), I catch her looking at porn! In Class! IN THE FRONT ROW! AND COMMENTING TO OTHER STUDENTS!! I'm just stunned, not because she's looking at porn, but because she JUST came back from the director's office and had to be "talked" to. If I was called to attention, I'd try to keep a low profile at least for the rest of that day.
So I tell her to close it, and that she knows better. I see her closing a couple of windows and turn my attention elsewhere. About 10 minutes later, another student walks by and says "Don't say I told you, but she's still looking at porn." Now, I'm just amazed. I tell her to close it, she tells me "I'm trying but they keep popping up. I have this software on my computer that allows me to replicate the students screen on my screen, so I can see what they're doing, and I connect to hers. I see that she's not closing windows, she still browsing. So tell her teacher (it wasn't my class), to check her computer. He goes over and says "My god, you're not supposed to be doing that in class! You know better. If this was a job, you'd have been fired." She claims she's trying but "they keep popping up". He says "Well, close them.", looks at his watch, and tells the class that they can leave for the day. Miraculously, she manages to close all of her windows in about 3 seconds and leaves. Yes, she was just BS'ing.
After she leaves, I go to check out her computer to make sure whatever site she was on, didn't set itself as the homepage. I notice that she had downloaded a program that promises to "erase all evidence of porn activity". I swear what do they think?
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Did their brains shut down?
One of the main problems I have with people who do drugs is their judgment. Or rather, their lack of good judgment. Today I had two students, let's call them "Biggie and Tupac", come in for the last hour and a half of class. They just walked in like it was nothing. Biggie gave me a quick, guilty look, but otherwise they were joking and talking loud like there was nothing wrong. Nothing.
As they walked by me, I got a HUGE whiff of pot. I was so shocked that someone would come into a class smelling THAT strong of pot. Then Biggie calls me over (loudly) "HEY TEACHER! COME OVER HERE A MINUTE!" She had typed something (a few lines in a letter) and wanted me to see if it was needed anything else. It was missing a lot of information (who it's going to, HER name, what it was about, etc..) As I'm looking at it, I again got the whiff. I had to do something. I went to the office to ask if there was a standard way that I should handle this situation. I was told to send them students home, and have them speak to the "higher ups" tomorrow morning.
I first called Biggie out to the hallway. I told her that she reeked of marijuana, at which point she cut me off, laughing, to say she "didn't do anything" that she "was just in 'that environment' so it's okay." I told her that she couldn't stay, she restated that she didn't do anything. I told her that she can't bring that in this environment. She said ok, and that she'd leave.
Next up was Tupac. She took a different approach. She acted as if 1. she didn't know what I was talking about, and 2. she were a bit offended that I mentioned anything. It didn't faze me one bit. So, without accusing them of anything, I sent them home.
It just bothers me that they thought it would be alright to not only show up SUPER late, then to show up SUPER late, REEKING of marijuana, AND behaving like they did.
And they actually think they're two of the better students here.
One of the main problems I have with people who do drugs is their judgment. Or rather, their lack of good judgment. Today I had two students, let's call them "Biggie and Tupac", come in for the last hour and a half of class. They just walked in like it was nothing. Biggie gave me a quick, guilty look, but otherwise they were joking and talking loud like there was nothing wrong. Nothing.
As they walked by me, I got a HUGE whiff of pot. I was so shocked that someone would come into a class smelling THAT strong of pot. Then Biggie calls me over (loudly) "HEY TEACHER! COME OVER HERE A MINUTE!" She had typed something (a few lines in a letter) and wanted me to see if it was needed anything else. It was missing a lot of information (who it's going to, HER name, what it was about, etc..) As I'm looking at it, I again got the whiff. I had to do something. I went to the office to ask if there was a standard way that I should handle this situation. I was told to send them students home, and have them speak to the "higher ups" tomorrow morning.
I first called Biggie out to the hallway. I told her that she reeked of marijuana, at which point she cut me off, laughing, to say she "didn't do anything" that she "was just in 'that environment' so it's okay." I told her that she couldn't stay, she restated that she didn't do anything. I told her that she can't bring that in this environment. She said ok, and that she'd leave.
Next up was Tupac. She took a different approach. She acted as if 1. she didn't know what I was talking about, and 2. she were a bit offended that I mentioned anything. It didn't faze me one bit. So, without accusing them of anything, I sent them home.
It just bothers me that they thought it would be alright to not only show up SUPER late, then to show up SUPER late, REEKING of marijuana, AND behaving like they did.
And they actually think they're two of the better students here.
Monday, February 09, 2004
It's the lazy ones that get me.
I don't mind when a student doesn't understand something, even if I have to explain something four or five times. It's when a student makes no effort to pay attention, then blames people or things around her.
I have this one student, who I originally thought might be bright because she claimed to know a lot about computers (she didn't). She sometimes sits staring at to the front. Today, she was falling asleep in another teacher's class, so I nudged her to wake up, but she said she was bored. Mind you, she came in very late, missing half the class, and falls asleep within 10 minutes. She tells me that she's tired and that she was sleepy.
So she mostly sleeps through the other teacher's class. Then the next class, same thing. Here's comes the last class (mine), and she sleeps through more than half. Then when she realizes that she has to finish this work, she wakes up COMPLAINING about "all the stuff" that's keeping her from doing her work. "The computers not working right" and "The mouse is acting funny" and (my favorite) "You never taught us that". So I say "No, we taught this, you just didn't pay attention." We've been doing this work for a few days now, plus we did it in the first class, and the second class, and we just did it again. YOU sleep through it. And now I see you banging on the keyboard. That's your frustration messing you up, not the computer acting up."
Then she says "Ok, maybe I closed my eyes, but I didn't fall asleep. Can you just show me how to do this?" My reply was "No problem, I'll show you how to do it AGAIN, but you have to wait until I get over there. I have to help the people who had their hands up before you." She was upset, but what could she say? She was caught. As if I should drop everything for her because she suddenly decided it was important.
I don't mind when a student doesn't understand something, even if I have to explain something four or five times. It's when a student makes no effort to pay attention, then blames people or things around her.
I have this one student, who I originally thought might be bright because she claimed to know a lot about computers (she didn't). She sometimes sits staring at to the front. Today, she was falling asleep in another teacher's class, so I nudged her to wake up, but she said she was bored. Mind you, she came in very late, missing half the class, and falls asleep within 10 minutes. She tells me that she's tired and that she was sleepy.
So she mostly sleeps through the other teacher's class. Then the next class, same thing. Here's comes the last class (mine), and she sleeps through more than half. Then when she realizes that she has to finish this work, she wakes up COMPLAINING about "all the stuff" that's keeping her from doing her work. "The computers not working right" and "The mouse is acting funny" and (my favorite) "You never taught us that". So I say "No, we taught this, you just didn't pay attention." We've been doing this work for a few days now, plus we did it in the first class, and the second class, and we just did it again. YOU sleep through it. And now I see you banging on the keyboard. That's your frustration messing you up, not the computer acting up."
Then she says "Ok, maybe I closed my eyes, but I didn't fall asleep. Can you just show me how to do this?" My reply was "No problem, I'll show you how to do it AGAIN, but you have to wait until I get over there. I have to help the people who had their hands up before you." She was upset, but what could she say? She was caught. As if I should drop everything for her because she suddenly decided it was important.
Friday, February 06, 2004
Online identity.
When teaching Internet basics, I usually mention to my students that there are times they shouldn't use their real information (name, address, birthday, etc..) because they don't know who or how it'll be used. Suddenly, 85% of the class NEEDS to hide their information. ALL OF IT. They don't even want to use their real names. "I used my cousin's first name and my daughter's married last name, and I'm using my old address..." Some want to know "Can anyone see me now?", like they're being stalked.
And when I mention IP addresses and how they're unique... WHOA BOY! Suddenly everyone's paranoid. "Why do they allow that?", "Isn't that illegal?", "What happened to my right to anonymity?", "I don't want anyone knowing I'm online!", "Can't I hide that information?" So I'll ask if they block Caller ID. Most say they don't, it's just a phone number.. And I explain that it basically the same thing.
I usually explain how everything can be watched, that the important thing is to keep track of who you give your info to, and how they intend to use it.
When teaching Internet basics, I usually mention to my students that there are times they shouldn't use their real information (name, address, birthday, etc..) because they don't know who or how it'll be used. Suddenly, 85% of the class NEEDS to hide their information. ALL OF IT. They don't even want to use their real names. "I used my cousin's first name and my daughter's married last name, and I'm using my old address..." Some want to know "Can anyone see me now?", like they're being stalked.
And when I mention IP addresses and how they're unique... WHOA BOY! Suddenly everyone's paranoid. "Why do they allow that?", "Isn't that illegal?", "What happened to my right to anonymity?", "I don't want anyone knowing I'm online!", "Can't I hide that information?" So I'll ask if they block Caller ID. Most say they don't, it's just a phone number.. And I explain that it basically the same thing.
I usually explain how everything can be watched, that the important thing is to keep track of who you give your info to, and how they intend to use it.
Older people and the Internet.
The other night I taught a basics class on using the internet. A l ot of older people take this class because they have problems "getting it". Young people understand it immediately. While I like the idea of older people learning to use the internet, many times it's very difficult to teach them.
I had a student who was typing her information so slowly, that the site timed out. Then she had to redo it again, which timed out again. I had to do it for her. Another student was filling out the sign-up form, she typed in her password, and when asked to re-type her password ON THE NEXT LINE, she had already forgotten what it was. I recommended that she write it down in case she forgets. She said "No, how can I forget, it's my granddaughter's name." I was laughing inside, "..how can I forget.." She had JUST forgotten it from one line to the next!
The other night I taught a basics class on using the internet. A l ot of older people take this class because they have problems "getting it". Young people understand it immediately. While I like the idea of older people learning to use the internet, many times it's very difficult to teach them.
I had a student who was typing her information so slowly, that the site timed out. Then she had to redo it again, which timed out again. I had to do it for her. Another student was filling out the sign-up form, she typed in her password, and when asked to re-type her password ON THE NEXT LINE, she had already forgotten what it was. I recommended that she write it down in case she forgets. She said "No, how can I forget, it's my granddaughter's name." I was laughing inside, "..how can I forget.." She had JUST forgotten it from one line to the next!
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
"I think you tha' snitch."
If you read my Jan 27th post, "Appropriateness", you read about the student who was shopping online for dildoes during class. Well, seems a staff member mentioned something to her. So she sees me in the hallway, and says, in a joking manner, "I think you tha' snitch." I asked what she was talking about. She says "Nothing. I'm just playing." And later I overheard her wondering if I was the one who told on her. The other student told her that I wouldn't do that, and if I did, she shouldn't have been doing that in class anyway.
It was funny to be "tha' snitch". But for a second there, I thought she might jump me outside.
If you read my Jan 27th post, "Appropriateness", you read about the student who was shopping online for dildoes during class. Well, seems a staff member mentioned something to her. So she sees me in the hallway, and says, in a joking manner, "I think you tha' snitch." I asked what she was talking about. She says "Nothing. I'm just playing." And later I overheard her wondering if I was the one who told on her. The other student told her that I wouldn't do that, and if I did, she shouldn't have been doing that in class anyway.
It was funny to be "tha' snitch". But for a second there, I thought she might jump me outside.
Huh?
Question. Why is there a pair of panties (if it's one item, is it still "pair of panties"? anyway..) on the chair? One of my students got up to go down the hall. As I passed her chair, I noticed there was something there. A ball of navy blue material. "Oh, it's panties... HUH?!" I did a double take. "Yes, it IS a pair of panties!"
Now this brought up two questions (I know "only two?"), 1. Why was she carrying a pair of panties in her hand? and, 2. Why did she leave it there, where everyone could see it? I could see if she was flirting with someone and left them as some sort of signal, but.... Huh!? Doesn't she... Wha?! Why would she... Huh?! I just didn't get it. And I still don't.
Question. Why is there a pair of panties (if it's one item, is it still "pair of panties"? anyway..) on the chair? One of my students got up to go down the hall. As I passed her chair, I noticed there was something there. A ball of navy blue material. "Oh, it's panties... HUH?!" I did a double take. "Yes, it IS a pair of panties!"
Now this brought up two questions (I know "only two?"), 1. Why was she carrying a pair of panties in her hand? and, 2. Why did she leave it there, where everyone could see it? I could see if she was flirting with someone and left them as some sort of signal, but.... Huh!? Doesn't she... Wha?! Why would she... Huh?! I just didn't get it. And I still don't.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Appropriateness.
There are certain things you can and can't do in certain environments. If you're at work, you can't make sex jokes. If you're at Church, you can't act jump and run aroundaround like a gorilla. When you're in school, you can't shop for dildoes on the internet. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
Yes, two of my students were talking about dildoes. WHILE I was helping one with her computer! Now, when people are talking about personal issues, I try not to overhear, I ignore and play stupid. I don't want them to feel uncomfortable. So while they were talking, I acted as if i didn't know what they were talking about. After a minute or two, I moved around in case they forgot I was there. They continued talking about there dildoes/vibrators. The features, the colors, the feel, the sizes! THE SIZES! Then, as if that weren't bad enough, the other student (not the one I was helping), decides to shop online for a dildo. I was amazed. I gave her a minute or two to think "Oh! I forgot the teacher was here!" But no, she kept on.
I was about to say something, when she looks over at me (I thought "Whew! Ok she finally realized I'm here." NOPE!) and asks "How do I find this store?" While POINTING at the screen with a dildo on it! So I said "Maaaybe, you shouldn't be looking at that in here." and then proceeded to explain that some online stores don't actually have "stores". Ok, I figure it's over. No, the two students begin talking about FEATURES! I even heard mention of a "knob"! The second student even talked about how she was tired of the one she has and wanted "something special"! "SOMETHING SPECIAL"! Holy cow! And they both realized I was there, so.... I don't know. I.... just.... don't.... know.
There are certain things you can and can't do in certain environments. If you're at work, you can't make sex jokes. If you're at Church, you can't act jump and run aroundaround like a gorilla. When you're in school, you can't shop for dildoes on the internet. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
Yes, two of my students were talking about dildoes. WHILE I was helping one with her computer! Now, when people are talking about personal issues, I try not to overhear, I ignore and play stupid. I don't want them to feel uncomfortable. So while they were talking, I acted as if i didn't know what they were talking about. After a minute or two, I moved around in case they forgot I was there. They continued talking about there dildoes/vibrators. The features, the colors, the feel, the sizes! THE SIZES! Then, as if that weren't bad enough, the other student (not the one I was helping), decides to shop online for a dildo. I was amazed. I gave her a minute or two to think "Oh! I forgot the teacher was here!" But no, she kept on.
I was about to say something, when she looks over at me (I thought "Whew! Ok she finally realized I'm here." NOPE!) and asks "How do I find this store?" While POINTING at the screen with a dildo on it! So I said "Maaaybe, you shouldn't be looking at that in here." and then proceeded to explain that some online stores don't actually have "stores". Ok, I figure it's over. No, the two students begin talking about FEATURES! I even heard mention of a "knob"! The second student even talked about how she was tired of the one she has and wanted "something special"! "SOMETHING SPECIAL"! Holy cow! And they both realized I was there, so.... I don't know. I.... just.... don't.... know.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
What's your price?
One of my policies with students is that there's a line. I'm friendly, but can't get too personal with them. And I don't give/lend money. But I'll make an occasional except (with money, not getting personal). There's this one student who is always borrowing money from other students, a dollar here, two dollars there.. It's gotten to the point that other students ignore her. So one day, she comes to me and tells me that she's leaving early because she's so hungry. Turns out her "man" only gave her 35 cents to geto to school, eat lunch and come home (the train rides alone would have been $4). And, she was going to walk home (an hour and a half walk). So I told her that I'd lend her $4, but that she had to hand in some real classwork, and not BS as she usually does. She swore she'd pay me back the next day, I said "Don't worry, just pay me back by the weekend." I never saw that money again. She's still in classes, but she has never mentioned the money.
I later found out that she's gotten a few dollars out of practically all of her other teachers. One said they bring in an extra sandwich every now and then for her. She's in a bad situation, but you can't support a person. All I know is I bought a person for $4. That was her price, she can't ask me for more, I'll never have to hear her ask me again. $4 for an assignment.. not too bad.
One of my policies with students is that there's a line. I'm friendly, but can't get too personal with them. And I don't give/lend money. But I'll make an occasional except (with money, not getting personal). There's this one student who is always borrowing money from other students, a dollar here, two dollars there.. It's gotten to the point that other students ignore her. So one day, she comes to me and tells me that she's leaving early because she's so hungry. Turns out her "man" only gave her 35 cents to geto to school, eat lunch and come home (the train rides alone would have been $4). And, she was going to walk home (an hour and a half walk). So I told her that I'd lend her $4, but that she had to hand in some real classwork, and not BS as she usually does. She swore she'd pay me back the next day, I said "Don't worry, just pay me back by the weekend." I never saw that money again. She's still in classes, but she has never mentioned the money.
I later found out that she's gotten a few dollars out of practically all of her other teachers. One said they bring in an extra sandwich every now and then for her. She's in a bad situation, but you can't support a person. All I know is I bought a person for $4. That was her price, she can't ask me for more, I'll never have to hear her ask me again. $4 for an assignment.. not too bad.
Thursday, January 15, 2004
New year, same issues...
Mugg is still annoying. I think it may be her personality. Although she normally acts like a thug, I've seen her try to act "nice" (you can tell she's forcing it). She only seems to do it, when she wants something. That tells me that she knows that her usual behavior puts people off.
Yesterday was a "regular stressful" day. That would be between "regular" and "very stressful". I hear Mugg "Yo! Come here. This thing doesn't work." and she's showing me by tapping one key over and over. I say "Don't do that, it'll only make it worse." And as I'm trying to see what the problem is, she's STILL tapping that key... as I'm trying to fix it. Yes... AS I'm trying to fix it.
Then I see another student is eating some Combos, so I remind her of the policy of not eating at the computers. She tells me that there's "No way" she could drop crumbs on the keyboard. And proceeds to show me by holding her bag of Combos upside-down over the keyboard. Yes... of course crumbs fell. She played it off like they didn't. So I walked over and shook the crumbs out. And she says "See! Most of those are potato chip crumbs! I'm eating Combos." I just look at her and say "Yes... MOST of them." I tell her about another student who was drinking something at another computer and spilled some of her drink, and now that keyboard doesn't work. She says "You should say something then, so people know not to drink at their computer." I just looked at her. Not only are there two big signs that say "ATTENTION. NO Food. NO Drink. NO Exceptions." But I always remind them of the signs. Her friend laughed and said "HELLO! Not only does he say it, but there's a sign right in front of you that says that." Her reply? "Well... I'm hungry. What do you except me to do?" I remind her that she can sit anywhere else, or go outside to the hallway. Her comeback? "Well, I like to eat while I'm doing my work on the computer."
Mugg is still annoying. I think it may be her personality. Although she normally acts like a thug, I've seen her try to act "nice" (you can tell she's forcing it). She only seems to do it, when she wants something. That tells me that she knows that her usual behavior puts people off.
Yesterday was a "regular stressful" day. That would be between "regular" and "very stressful". I hear Mugg "Yo! Come here. This thing doesn't work." and she's showing me by tapping one key over and over. I say "Don't do that, it'll only make it worse." And as I'm trying to see what the problem is, she's STILL tapping that key... as I'm trying to fix it. Yes... AS I'm trying to fix it.
Then I see another student is eating some Combos, so I remind her of the policy of not eating at the computers. She tells me that there's "No way" she could drop crumbs on the keyboard. And proceeds to show me by holding her bag of Combos upside-down over the keyboard. Yes... of course crumbs fell. She played it off like they didn't. So I walked over and shook the crumbs out. And she says "See! Most of those are potato chip crumbs! I'm eating Combos." I just look at her and say "Yes... MOST of them." I tell her about another student who was drinking something at another computer and spilled some of her drink, and now that keyboard doesn't work. She says "You should say something then, so people know not to drink at their computer." I just looked at her. Not only are there two big signs that say "ATTENTION. NO Food. NO Drink. NO Exceptions." But I always remind them of the signs. Her friend laughed and said "HELLO! Not only does he say it, but there's a sign right in front of you that says that." Her reply? "Well... I'm hungry. What do you except me to do?" I remind her that she can sit anywhere else, or go outside to the hallway. Her comeback? "Well, I like to eat while I'm doing my work on the computer."
Thursday, January 08, 2004
The Sneaks
Every now and then, I catch a student doing something. Now, if you got caught sneaking out of class once, either be more cautious next time, or don't sneak out again. Or, if you feel the need to sneak out again, at least try to be better at it.
I have this student, I'll call her "Pink Nickel", who once snuck out of my class early so I signed her out early. Yesterday, she saw her sneak out, so I signed her out. About five minutes before class ends, I she her sneaking back in to class. And she said "You signed me in, right?" I tell her "No, you left a few minutes after class started." She said "I was in the bathroom..... I felt sick." I tell her, "If you leave class, and you take your bag and your coat, it's obvious that you're not going to the bathroom."
Every now and then, I catch a student doing something. Now, if you got caught sneaking out of class once, either be more cautious next time, or don't sneak out again. Or, if you feel the need to sneak out again, at least try to be better at it.
I have this student, I'll call her "Pink Nickel", who once snuck out of my class early so I signed her out early. Yesterday, she saw her sneak out, so I signed her out. About five minutes before class ends, I she her sneaking back in to class. And she said "You signed me in, right?" I tell her "No, you left a few minutes after class started." She said "I was in the bathroom..... I felt sick." I tell her, "If you leave class, and you take your bag and your coat, it's obvious that you're not going to the bathroom."
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