THE REAL SCORE

"School must be a safe and protected environment, where a student can come to learn without fear". - HARRY WONG

Jefferson Junior High School has been without a permanent principal and an English teacher since fall. (Photos By Rich Lipski -- The Washington Post)

Let me introduce my school where I am teaching right now, which is now getting very popular. Aside from being in Channel 7 news a month ago, it's been in several newspapers these past weeks:

Educators at one of the city’s top public schools say the school system's leaders have repeatedly ignored their pleas to end an interim principalship that they say has subjected their school to a slew of problems, including poor leadership, a crumbling facility, and a lack of teachers and supplies.

Teachers at Jefferson Junior High School in Southwest Washington protested outside the school April 25, before the start of the academic day, decrying problems that they say began after the school abruptly lost its principal and moved into an interim administration, headed by acting principal W. Lloyd Reeves. ( The Common Denominator, May 2, 2005)

Moreover, they contended, students have become more disruptive -- fighting, cursing and threatening teachers -- since Reeves took over. They also said that a rodent infestation has worsened. (The Washington Post, June 3, 2005; Page B03)

(According to one seventh grade student) Fights have always been very regular at that school. We have classmates being beat up or something...There were a lot of fire alarms last week. There were six fire alarms on Tuesday. At least three went off in the first period. That just gives us an excuse to get rowdy and run downstairs...That lack of us having a teacher - we're not learning anything in that class. It's a free period. We sort of carry that concept over to other classes, and we stop wanting to learn. Like everyday's just a playday. (The Washington City Paper, May 27, 2005)

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While there are days when I feel that it is a long path, I know that rewards are returned greatly. This is my 2nd year teaching to kids with special needs and working with the most creative and resourceful educators.

Despite of these experiences, I still take pride in my profession and I still hold on to the "idealism" that encouraged me to become a special educator. For me, teaching is not just a job. It's in my heart. It's a part of what I am as a person. I wish my dealing with these practicalities of issues such as conditions of service won't break me apart.