So I’ve had a break through. Something happened to help me realize I made the correct decision to stand by my convictions. I got picked to go on the 3rd grade field trip for my granddaughter’s class. She came flying through the door with the envelope like she was going to be picked as the queen for the day and I would be I attendance.
The day finally came and I was there at the correct time. I finally met the woman who had my granddaughter’s conference with her father sitting in the little chairs while she sat at the teacher’s desk. She was around my age 52, dyed her hair and has been teaching too long.
There were 2 other classes that went and for some reason they were combining them. Two classes had a room lunch bag that weighed about 50 pounds each and the other kids carried their own. We got dropped off at the wrong spot and began the day with a mile hike. Because we were late had to hurry. By the time we got to the farm there was so much confusion, torn lunch bags and tired kids from carrying the 50 pound pack, I wasn’t surprised to find out these groups the teachers made such a big deal about weren’t done correctly because there were only so many groups that could be. The farm actors were frustrated, teachers were trying to rearrange, kids are now thirsty. I joined another mom to move things along, only to find out later that she was the mom of that bad boy in the room. Our group got along just great. Maybe a few snippy girls but they were now hungry too. While standing at my station with my appointed group plus the add ons, I noticed all the teachers standing under a shade tree having a nice chat. I just had to say at that time, to the other mom, I was a very bitter woman.
My teacher actually came up to our group near the end of the trip to announce one of my students was in the wrong group. I could not let this go and told her she was mistaken. Little did I know that he was standing next to the boy who’s mom had come and he was never allowed to be near. Again there had not been a problem all day and for some reason I did not want her to make one up.
These teachers were not on duty even during lunch. When there was a seating shortage, trash and quick eaters, I again couldn’t help but tell the kids to go runaround their teachers.
As I sat on that bus I realized nothing will change in schools. The attitudes, the unprofessional behavior of a social worker asking as we are leaving for a quick chat when you’re finished with the trip, nothing because parents help out and think the teachers know everything. They had one trip this year and could not have it run smoothly. Not one teacher had ever been there and could not even have an intelligent conversation with the students when they got back. They had missed their duty free lunch, break and hour.
When I got home I felt happy. I continue to work on http://www.dreamflipper.com and enjoy answering question.