I'm not sure where to post this, but I was wondering if there was a possibility, or even interest for a new sub-forum. I was thinking this could include: - juvenile detention facilities - community / court schools - schools in drug / alcohol rehabilitation - alternative school settings for at-risk youth - whatever else would fit in this category I love these forums, and I get so much advice from here. But I often feel that my situation doesn't quite fit with traditional school settings, and it would be great to have another sub-forum to vent, discuss and find answers in. Some of the differences are - we don't give homework. We just don't. - they also can't take anything with them to their dorms. So vocabulary instruction, for example is limited to the actual classtime, they can't look words / meaning over in the evening. They can't look over their textbooks, etc. - no parent interaction - no access to internet (webquests, internet-based lessons are out) - limited access to computers - constant interruptions from officers - some students routinely are absent from class, because they have other classes to attend (parenting class, anger management, substance abuse, etc). on the other hand, there are no unexcused tardies or absences - negative attitude towards learning - disruptions are frequent, they can quickly escalate to physical fights. They don't happen too often, but when they do, there is no warning, and i happens under 1 minute - mixed grade levels. students ages of 16-19 are in same classes, some have reading levels of grade 5, while other already passed the CAHSEE or even have their GED. - students have interrupted schooling - reward systems are different. A reward may be something as simple as giving them envelope and nice stationary to write letters home, or give a positive referral to the officers, for which they often get the chance to make a phone call. - no food allowed (teachers often sneak candy, chips, etc. to them, but these are prohibited). I give them lotion sometimes, and hand sanitizer, (not to take, just a little squirt in the hand), but actually I could get in trouble for these. - other than these, not even sure what to reward them with. They want to listen to music and watch movie all the time or go on the internet (all of these I can't do, because they want to listen to gangster-rap, internet is not allowed, and school policy states that movies must be tied to the curriculum,) These are just some of the differences. It would be great to hear advice from those who are or have been in the same situation. But I don't even know if this applies to others. Again, this is not to say that others' advice is not appreciated or validated, please don't take it like that.
I second this idea, if there is enough of a need for a subforum. Most people just didn't "get" my situation either when I taught in detention!
There are sometimes requests for new special interest subforums. Generally most members tend to hit 'new posts' and respond regardless of subforum.
I feel you on this. I teach at a DAEP, so while my situation is not quite the same as yours, it is still very different from most of the other secondary teachers on here. Perhaps if a specific sub forum doesn't take, we could have an alternative school thread that we check in and post on?
I am not in your situation (I teach preschool for kids at risk of school failure), but I find your job fascinating!
Maybe a subforum for non-traditional school settings might be more useful. It could include online, homebound, hospital, detention, etc.
yes! although my students are not in a detention setting, they are at risk, and mixed age and rosters, and most are WAY below grade on state and other tests. This position has its own set of frustrations, problems, and rewards. I would be VERY interested in this sub forum. I would love to hear from others in this - or similar- situation.
Thank you! I do love my job, I hope I get to stay here as a permanent teacher. Today was one of those days, where everything went well, it's wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't that bad either, because I outsmarted them each time they tried to cause trouble. I left school happy (even though I was there 8 am - 4pm, because I had to do CAHSEE tutoring)
I think an alternative school sub-forum would be nice. Anything could be included that is not the traditional school setting, student base. How can we make that happen?
So would this be a yes or no? I have so much to vent! The latest discovery is that when one dorm has their water heater broken, they take those students (3 classes out of the 5 from our section) back to the dorm to take a shower, during the last class period. This way they can take their showers before the other guys get there. Total disregard of the education. So weird. This hasn't affected me, because I don't have those students during last period, and other teachers are not (and couldn't) complaining, they just have a free class period. It's just weird.
I see the your post from Feb. 2010 Re - juvenile detention facilities - community / court schools - schools in drug / alcohol rehabilitation - alternative school settings for at-risk youth That will be very helpful to me -- I just started subbing CDS, JD Camps etc.,
I wish there were a new board for this, but I guess there just isn't enough interest. I finished my long term assignment, and now I'm back to subbing. I couldn't tell you how much I have learned during these past 12 months, and how much there is still to learn. My age group was 16-19 in a juvenile camp facility, and now I'll be back to subbing sometime at the juvenile ranch facility with 13-16 year olds. There is a considerable difference. I'll also try to sub sometimes at the maximum security juvenile halls, just to try it and see if I can handle it, who knows I might like it a lot? But I have learned so much about gang mentality, criminal mentality, passive-aggressiveness, manipulation, the distorted views of troubled teenagers... It is very interesting, and I wish I would have known all this a year ago.
