Scared/Worried for Our Future...

**Below is something I wrote on February 4th, 2008 after substitute teaching at a charter school in Brooklyn, New York. I had originally sent it to my friends and family in an e-mail but I just realized that I never posted it on my blog.**

If the kids of today are our future, things sure do look grim. After substitute teaching at a charter school in Brooklyn today, I can honestly say that I'm scared and worried about our future!

I will attempt to describe to you the mayhem and absolute craziness that I experienced today. However, I know that whatever I write wont do my experience justice. Yes, I'm being a bit dramatic, but I feel that this issue needs to be expressed. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING...the education system needs to be reformed and I want to hear what your response is to my NY teaching experiences!

First off, let me just say that I am not a mean person. I do not get angry or have a temper. I do not yell. Normally, I'd say these are good characteristics. Today, they hindered me. Today, I had girls shake their fingers, suck their teeth (or whatever it is it's called when people are mad and make a sucking noise), tilt their head and curse at me. I heard, "Oh no you didn't," "Why you given me attitude?" "Why you aksing me to do that?" "I aint gonna try" The list goes on and on... Another favorite of the day "It's mad hot in here." and "Why we gotta do mad work?" Apparently mad is another word for "really" or "a lot?" Is that in a rap song or something???? *please make note of the grammar and spelling errors...I wrote it as they said it.

I only mentioned girls because they were the ones giving me the attitude you see in movies. The boys were just as terrible though. Today I yelled. I had to. The kids were talking and disrespecting me and not doing their work. Did it matter? NO! I yelled and they continued to talk as I yelled. At one point an administrator came in and yelled at them. For some reason that woman actually sounded really mean when she yelled. I noticed a meanness that was not present in my yell. I meant what I said and the kids could care less. Papers were being thrown across the room, little work was being done, and not once was there a whole minute of silence. I'm still in shock! The saddest part is that today, I "taught" 6th and 8th grades. The kids weren't even in high school yet and they're already acting like delinquents!!!!!!! TERRIBLE!

As terrible as it sounds...New Yorkers in the inner city are breeding delinquents. I realize that children are a product of their home life. Something must be done. I give "mad props" to the teachers and administrators who are putting their hearts into educating and bettering the lives of these kids. I realized today that I am not one of those people. I do not have the patience nor do I have the dedication. Well...I have it to some extent. I'm actually tutoring 7th and 8th graders in math up in Harlem Monday through Thursday. They're at a charter school but they are amazing kids! I know that not all children in the inner city are like the ones I had today. Today was the second time I've taught at a charter school in Brooklyn. What I saw today is not rare. It is the norm. I've heard that the students at public schools are even worse. I can't even begin to imagine. I'm not new to teaching. I've taught in Greece and I was a substitute teacher in Burbank. Both are completely different worlds than inner city teaching in New York!

Those of you that are teachers...I COMMEND YOU! I know how difficult it can be and that someone needs to do it! THANK YOU! Just don't move to NY. OR, move to NY and work your magic with these kids. They need it! Any desire I once had to be a teacher has been extinguished. And no, not simply from today. I know teaching isn't my passion.

Sorry if this post was long and harsh. I just felt like I had to share my experiences with you. I'd love to hear what you think about all of this!

~Yosefa