Sup Teach?

Passing period and the phone rings:

Other T: “Hey Mr. G, I’m wondering about a student named AC Whenever you get the chance, could you send me his grades from last year in your geometry class?”

Me: “Yeah sure. Well, off the top of my head, I know A was a great student. He did always got his work done and normally did well in class.”

Other T: “Ok well, in the diagnostic I just gave him, he did horribly. And I know that he was getting a D with Mr. L before you came in, so I thought that was kinda weird that he got an A from you.”

Me: “Hm. I do know that A wasn’t doing so well when I first came in. But over our time together, he really progressed. He started sitting in the front, we had a great relationship, and I was in constant contact w/ his mother.”

Other T: “Well it’s just that he got an 8 on the diagnostic which is far below everyone else, so it’s hard for me to believe that he was an A student last year.”

Me: (pulling out data from my computer) “Well here’s how he did on the district-mandated test last year. Much higher than the average.”

Other T: “Hold on, so he got a 29/50? So you’re telling me he’s more of a C student than anything else. See, you giving him an A.. that’s not doing any work.”

29/50 is MUCH higher than the average. AC’s dramatic improvement was one huge highlight last year. To hear someone downplay that highlight, presuming that his A grade was undeserved is close to infuriating. You have no idea what went on in my classroom last year. I’m new to the profession, but you have no right to assume anything about me or my teaching. In fact, I’d say you have no right to presume ANYTHING about ANY student in those first few weeks.

This teacher is one who is notorious for failing close to half his students yearly. How’s THAT doing any work?

I hope AC kicks ass in your class to prove all your preconceived assumptions wrong.