SpecialEd

I have written MANY letters of rec for students over the years, but one request stands out from the rest. I'll try to keep this as short as possible. Back in 2014, I had a white female student I'll call "Beth," who was coddled by her mother to the point where the student simply told her mom one day that she no longer desired to go to school (Beth was smart but lazy, and didn't participate in class or finish most of her assigned work.) Her parents were extremely wealthy. Beth was an equestrian, and her parents gave her everything she needed for her hobby: a few horses, trailer with a large SUV to haul her to various competitions around the country, riding lessons at a local equestrian center, etc. Mom was *down* with Beth's inane request to quit school, and she and her husband met with the principal to secure a home instructor. I was called to participate in this very heated meeting, which devolved into a screaming match between members of the admin and Beth's parents. In the end, the parents won, and Beth was basically home schooled by tutors from the district--each one was paid $36/hour, so this student cost the district many tens of thousands of dollars. Curious about her progress after her senior year had ended, I Googled Beth's name. Turns out she was in prison for her role in burning down the equestrian center where she received her riding lessons after the owner caught her and a couple of her friends smoking dope in a horse stall that summer and told Beth's parents about it. She also stole cash and equipment from the business before torching it. Animals died in the blaze, and the family who owned the business lost approximately $10,000 per month in income until the structure could be rebuilt. In August of 2015, Beth's mom emailed me asking for a letter of rec for her daughter, who was interested in attending classes at Cleveland State the next year. Mom had no idea that I knew about her daughter's arson conviction, and of course, never mentioned it in the email. I never wrote back. I have bent over backwards to be fair and non-judgmental with all the thousands of students I have taught over the years, and was especially proud to learn of the successes of those whose circumstances presented what most of us would consider to be major impediments, including poverty, racial inequality issues, etc.

Ha! Jen, I agree, and all this "reform" may just do exactly what you are suggesting, i.e., level the playing field--for ALL of us. If black, white, yellow, and brown lives all matter, we are all equal, and none of us should receive preferential treatment, right?????? Great post, and I hope what you wrote comes to pass.

You raise a very good point. I was just thinking that maybe chocolate Easter bunnies might have to go--I dunno, it just makes me feel squeemish and evil for some reason to give these out to little kids, thus perpetuating the problem--and the word "dark" should prolly be stricken from all chocolate candy wrappers.

The reality is still crystal clear: don't be dumb. Adhere to the protocols the experts tell us to follow. They have no agenda which would suppress commerce or personal freedom. Don't fall victim to those who assert that wearing or not wearing a mask is somehow a political statement. This isn't a "forever" thing; Dr. Fauci is a straight-shooter, and I follow what he advises the public to do in order to avoid sickness and death from COVID.

I think the medical/scientific communities are now gaining and will, in the immediate future, continue to acquire LOTS of knowledge about all this as the weeks and months unfold--especially from what happens when schools resume in whatever permutation each individual district decides to take nationwide.

I can't explain why, but I really like this.

1) Most of us are not doctors. 2) All of us can choose to use/not use masks, socially distance, etc. 3) Those of us who become infected with COVID will likely not know where or from whom we got it. 4) If you respect others, you should acknowledge the current medical protocols and do your best not to take actions that will exacerbate the problem. Simple dimple. I don't go out much these days, but when I do I always mask up and ensure that I am AT LEAST 8 feet away from others, masked or unmasked. I control my temper--even after waiting to get into the Key Bank branch for an appointment and being sneezed on--twice--by some asshole behind me in the enclosed vestibule who could have simply opened the door and sneezed outside instead. Just put sartorial matters aside and bend a bit. It's not forever.

Masking-up is a medically proven way to reduce the spread of the virus. NOBODY enjoys wearing a mask, but it's just something we should all do for the time being. I am not a doctor, but will follow the directives/suggestions of those who are much smarter than me about this until given a sustained "all clear" by those whose job is to keep the public safe.

. . . and should not be worn or not worn according to one's political leanings, either.

Wahoo, I'd rather have a sub any day rather than an uncooked pizza. WTF?

I think you're just being kind. I've never heard of whatever it is. Why would you leave the cheese uncooked? That just sounds very odd however , given the location of the restaurant, it makes total sense. Fuckin 'billies.

Is it a sub or a (cold) pizza? Most of the food pictures you've posted have been wonderful, but I don't know what the hell this thing is. I sure AF wouldn't have eaten it. It looks like a frozen Stouffer's Pizza.

The cheese isn't even melted.

Wait; what about food? Dintcha stop anywhere for lunch?? And no pictures of it?

Thanks, Serptentracer. My buddy's wife is just keeping a "log" of job inquiries. As you indicated, two "job search actions" per week is child's play. Ohio's unemployment website now warns those who are receiving benefits that they should maintain a job-search log for the next THREE YEARS "in case [claimant] is audited." So much, then, for compassion during a pandemic after paying taxes into the system for 40 fucking years without a prior unemployment claim. Ridiculous.

That was my profession before I became a teacher. I had EMPATHY then--but not now.

That's why I don't shoot at him.

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/does-polio-still-exist-is-it-curable

Anthrax, measles, polio, and COVID liked this.

I agree with what you are saying here, and worry about his mental health. He is starting to look like a thin, frail old man with a penetrating yet vacant stare. I have seen the same look on Pence's face at times--almost like a death mask.

Trump's public behavior has become progressively more bizarre: the Bible thing (?), referring to the protesters as "thugs", and threatening to send the armed forces to the streets. I think he has shot himself in the foot one too many times. The election is five months away--too soon for people to forget all the strange shit he has been saying and doing. The 'rona will most likely still be raging, and who knows what the economy will look like, including unemployment.

https://electrek.co/2018/11/15/electric-unicycles-last-mile-vehicles/#:~:text=These odd-looking little EVs,Read on to learn why. How cool! Never heard of these until you mentioned it.

I would agree.

I couldn't agree more. Why ask for trouble? One simple lesson many of us never learn is that if you push someone, they will usually push back. Obey the law and 99% of the time you'll be left alone. I also think it's a great idea to keep a low profile and just remain calm.