I have been teaching for roughly 3.5 months now, and I have to say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I student taught, I was at a very nice, mostly middle to upper middle class charter school in Monument. I am now teaching in Greeley, CO where 80% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. To illustrate my point let me share an anecdote from yesterday's lesson. The lesson objective was for the kids to become familiar with Mayan trade and the Mayan tax system. I started the lesson by showing the kids an American 1040 form and discussing who pays taxes, how we pay taxes and what that money is used for. One of the things we came up with tax money helps with is schools. I told the kids that schools are funded by the government, and that someone paid money for them to be here etc. One student raised her hand and said "I used to have a friend and she had to buy her food" I wasn't sure what she meant so I probed a bit further and asked the obvious question "what? What do you mean bought her food?"
She replied "She had to like, buy her food, her parents had to give her money for food"
At this point I thought I knew what she meant so I asked "Do you mean her parents wrote her a check or gave her cash to buy school lunch?"
Student "Yeah, it was weird"
Me-*facepalm* I was astounded. I calmly explained that food cost money and someone, somewhere is paying for this food. I told the students our tax dollars go to provide food for students who meet certain income requirements etc. I went home still shaking my head. I can't believe a student who's parents actually pay for lunch is in the minority here.
In addition to that, in the past two days I have written four referrals. Two for a fist fight, one for a student cussing at me, and one because a student commented that "Mrs. Robinson must be on her period, she is beign such a bitch"... yep. That about sums up my week.
Like I said, I had no idea what I was getting into. I am glad I know now because next year is going to be so much better.
