Thursday, March 27, 2008

Two Strange Americans

ONE: No one can seem to remember this girl’s name as she was only with us for a few days. I seem to recall she had all the teaching credentials. After she was hired she was assigned to three days of indoctrination. This consisted of observing one classroom period in each of the 6 grade levels and two days observing and working with the teacher in the classroom that she was to assume the responsibility of.

During this indoctrination period she didn’t get involved in the teaching process, was not helping the teachers, was not asking question, nor was she becoming involved, as one would expect a new teacher to do. She just sort of sat there.

Well, Friday rolls around, and she goes up to the classroom with the training teacher. The training teacher then asked her if she’s ready. She does not say a word, she leaves the classroom, goes to the teachers lounge, picks up her purse and is never seen or heard from again.

I guess she wasn’t ready. Again we were short a teacher and back to looking through the resumes’.

TWO: Morgan was a retired United States Army Sergeant. He had not completed his degree but did have prior instructor experience. However, this was with adults and not young children. Morgan was about 45-50, bald, short and had a nice personality. He owned a condominium near the school and just waked in one day for an interview.

As with the girl above he was given the then standard three days orientation. He complete this well. Until…

On his first day of teaching he did not hesitate to take over the class and was left on his own to do his thing. However, when the second class period came around, no one could find Morgan. A search of the teacher’s lounge found only his teachers book and other classroom materials neatly stacked on a desk. No Morgan. Finally, hours later, he calls and said he had a panic attack and just couldn’t do this teaching stuff. End of Morgan.

Morgan came back by the school one time to visit after that. He had enrolled in college to complete this studies and was handing our information sheets about his condominium which he was trying to sell.

Just two more of the many that have come and gone. I guess it’s better to walk off the job rather to stick around and possibly go postal on us. Going Postal (American slang): Do a Google search for the meaning.

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