It has been a little over two weeks, almost three, since school started. I am happy to report that my student and I, for the most part, don't want to tear at each others throats.
However, this is not what I want to talk about, though it is amazing news! His teacher is a new teacher. I don't mean just new to the school, but freshly graduated, as wet and green as you can get. This is not intended to be a mean, but more my observations and frustrations. I don't want to get up on a soapbox and preach that I always know better or more than she does. What I want to do is more vent. Ms. X as I will call her to protect her identity, is generally a great teacher. She keeps command of the class for the most part, they are a bunch of 4th graders (enough said), and has a okay grasp on the curriculum and what is expected of her.
For those who know me know that I don't like to be idle for too long I start to go crazy. When I am at work and my student is doing well I would like something else to do. I have made it clear to Ms. X that I am willing to correct, record scores, and do any other odd job that need to be done. I am also more than willing to read to the class after lunch recess to give her time to do her things and relax for a few more minutes. I am a little befuddled as to why she wouldn't take advantage of that the other, more seasoned, teachers leapt at the chance to catch up on things. Ms. X does not only further leading to her own tardiness in grading and so forth. This goes especially for teacher reading after lunch. I don't mean to toot my own horn and say I am the best, but she does not read aloud very well. I find, and I think the kids agree, it can be fairly flat and lifeless. This leads the kids to fiddling and whispering. However, in the past when I have read they tend to be a bit quieter and more attentive to the story. At the moment it isn't the most engaging story for the boys. I also try make sure that I am saying the correct words and bring them to life. I'm sorry but ogre (ˈō-gər) is NOT said orge (or-g). Orge is a river in France not a scary mythical creature to be feared by all who meet it.
Being the type of person I am I love to learn new information. They are learning about the earth in history class. Now, I understand that words will just fall out of your brain at times and you can't remember them for the life of ya. It  happens to everyone, even me. Believe it or not! Now if that word is supplied you wouldn't take offense. Ms. X has. I am instructed not to correct her on pronunciation or  information.  This is to be done after the class is gone. Wha..?! If wrong information or words are being taught is it not the responsibility of those listening (and know the proper info) to fix it at the time of instruction so the wrong can be righted and said incorrect info is not ingrained. It is always harder to correct something if it is left to sit and take root. I don't want to imply that I think she isn't a smart individual, but why hamper freely given or accessed knowledge? The other teachers I have worked with always welcomed my two cents as it were. They would even ask for it during lectures. It is not as though I am talking down to her or being rude about it, only piping up when needed.
Then again those other teachers were much more experienced and confident in themselves. In so being,  were comfortable to be told when they were doing something not quite right and correct it then. I guess the moral of this story is, keep my mouth shut and nose in a book to keep said mouth shut. Ms. X will need to learn for herself since she doesn't want to hear it from me.
I guess I need to get off my soapbox even if I didn't intend to jump on it in the first place.