It has gone downhill very fast here in Cafe 026.  Last week guidance had college on-site interviews.  Here's what I think happens:

College dip, I mean rep:  "Congratulations. Big Money University has accepted you.  You can relax now.  You are done for the year.  You are going to college in September."

Gullible student thinks:  "Wow.  I'm in.  I don't have to do any work for the rest of the year.  Cool.  And if I get a 50 in the last two marking periods, I still pass for the year."


Thanks.  Thanks a lot to the colleges.  To the guidance department.  To the kids who decide to be belligerent and disrespectful to those of us who insist on still trying to teach you.  Because you still have things to learn.  And we still have things to teach you.  It does not all come in a text book or in the bare bones of the assignment or the project.  There are incidental lessons we are trying to teach you.  We do not want to let you run roughshod over us and demand you get your bagel at 8.05 am, or use your class time to do work for your other class (which, my my, is taught by a man in most cases) when you owe us two projects.

Over the course of the week, I had some interesting conversations.  I find it amazing which teachers here are respected by the male students.  The manly men, the testosterone mountains....  They get the respect.  The kids will say they don't teach, but they like them.  They are "good teachers".  Yeah, you figure that one out.  The teachers who insist on still doing their jobs?  We just don't get it.  And most of us are women (or non-alpha males).  And do not coach.  And teach subjects that are electives.  We are unnecessary.  We are annoying.  And we just don't get it.  We shouldn't be giving all this work.

What the kids do not get it this:  Those testosterone mountains do not care about you.  I have talked to them or overheard their comments regarding their students.  They admit they hope the kids do not want to keep in touch after graduation.  One bragged about forgetting their names.  If we are still trying to teach you until the very last day of school, it is because we care about you and the job we do.  And when you need us after you graduate, we will be there for you.  We will celebrate when you get a big job, get engaged, get married, have a kid, buy your first house, make a big move, etc.  We will donate money, clothes, or help if you are in need.  Those other guys?  They won't remember you.  And we won't remember how poorly you treated us from January to June.  We will remember to show you love and care forever.